[macfod]

MB
Glad you had a good time!

After four months we are slowing down from comparing currency when spending.

You are right people seem to spend a lot when out and cafe/restaurants /stylists are always busy -
I do find supermarkets quieter though than what I would have expected -perhaps its just there is less people!

Houses locally are between $200-?350k which I suppose is dearer than expected!
Did look at a great beach house with AWESOME views for ?300k -but it was very basic on heating but two sections for the money.

Renting is expensive here because of the UNI, with $250-300 the weekly average.

Food is cheaper as you can imagine ,especially meat-but I suppose not compared with lower salaries.

Wages vary with as we have found employees being well cared for.
All get four weeks as full time or part time now 8% of their income for holiday pay as well as 5 days sick pay etc
Kiwis are not savers and tend to spend and enjoy..great ;)

And thats the thing - quality of life

What you get here is a different lifestlye-at a price in monetary terms and its a huge decision for anyone with plus's and minus's..

On our part-we love it and have never been happier with more friends and just friendly happy people that are genuine and pleased at anyone coming to live here.

I must be excited awake at 4.30am on a sunday morning! 8-)