affordability???????????????

Hey netchicken-living on baked beans now!!
Thanks again.Have thought of leaving some money here and even thought of leaving our house here unsold or with tenants for a year to see how we get on. I know this sounds like we're not fully committed, and that's true. That is why I'm spending so much time with you guys. i think sometimes in life you just have to take the plunge and go for something, but maybe we aren't at that point yet. Maybe pulling out some equity and going to Nz for a holiday/rekkie would be sensible.
I think we could both get a job without much trouble.
I'll have a look at Invercagill. :icon_confused: By the way I know of someone who went to Aussie as a ten pound pom, came home, went back, came home and eventually decided Australia was better. More indecisive than us, eh?

Be careful that you move to an area that has cheap living. There is a reason that invercargill and other southerly areas are cheaper...people find the climate less agreeable than the north.

A number of people on websites dislike the cold of Dunedin and southern cities and the majority of kiwis find them too cold also and thats why the population is trending to the north over time.

So I think you should factor climate heavily in your decision of which area to focus on.

I was in Auckland and one day in May it was 16C in Auckland and 0C at the lower south island. Thats quite a difference!

[netchicken]

Ha!
Yep of course you can say its warmer up north. But you can also say its wetter, and more storms.

The temp differences are often very minor, - a matter of under 5 degrees on a day to day basis. Check out the stats here... http://stuffucanuse.com/come_to_nz/NZ_weather.htm

Only 1 Degree less in Jan, 100 hrs more sun, and 1/2 the rainfall between Christchurch and Auckland.

Although I am not going to defend Invercargill (I wouldn't live there personally) there are HEAPS of people moving to the South Island, besides poms are used to the cold :)

Nelson is so popular that its hard to afford a house there.
Many people come and visit Christchurch and want to stay. There is no pollution, no traffic jams (such as in Orcland) cheaper houses at realistic prices, awesome wilderness, skiing, tramping, etc etc. (commutiing for a friend is 20mins by bike around 1/4 of the city, beat that)

There are less people in the entire South Island (800,000) than in Auckland itself. Personally, as a person born and bred in the North Island, well versed in Auckland and the North Island having travelled nearly everywhere there, the South Island is an awesome place far surpassing it for beauty, with only Waikaramoana the only competition. We have turned down opportunities to move back north.

[eoi125]

Dont get me wrong..I think that the South Island's great.

But I have read so many postings about Brits moving to the south and not being able to deal with the cold.

In the link you posted the middle of night temp in Auckland was 11c and chch was 3c. The posters I have seen are complaining about how cold it gets at night in winter in the "un heated and non insulated houses". My only point is that you feel a lot colder at 3c than 11c.

I just think some people that cant hack the cooler temps in the winter should not move to Dunedin etc as they are setting themselves up for problems.
There are often cheap web specials on air nz to get from the north to south so as to allow one to also enjoy the main island (sth) without living there....if the cold nights will be an issue.

Interestingly the highest temp recorded in NZ was in the South Island near Canterbury, 42 deg.c. from memory.

They sure have nice hot dry summers down South, whereas Auckland is more tropical, muggy, and wet. I know what I prefer :icon_wink:

Cheers

[quote:7255e29441]But I have read so many postings about Brits moving to the south and not being able to deal with the cold.

[/quote:7255e29441]

they should have tried a summer in scotland before going..
Would have been just as cold if not colder...

we're having a wobble vis-a-vis the whole cost of / standard of living thing..

can any of the relatively new arrivals let us know how they are finding this aspect of the move..

we anticipate having a household income of around 60 - 70k and will be living in masterton..

is this going to mean we're sitting on the floor eating rice or will we be able to eat out now and again, will we have a few spare readies for treats now and again..?

Hi,

Don't know your circumstances or how extravagent a life you like to live, :icon_wink: but I give our example below.

We live in a fairly expensive part of NZ. Have an income of around $70K, tax is around $14K so that leaves around $56K. We are one adult and four children, renting at around $19k a year, the car paid for. We have broadband ($40 pm) and Sky ($44 pm) and live reasonably well. I am a member of a women's gym. :icon_redface: We have fish and chips at least once a week ($15), and make a trip to McD or Pizza Hut at least once a week. If we are out and about we will go to a cafe for a nice meal rather than a restaurant. I go through a bottle of wine a fortnight, make cakes but also buy from the bakery (expensive - cakes and buns can be around $2 each). I try and buy only 'specials' at the supermarkets to save money, but would do that in the UK anyway. Kids go to the cinema once a fortnight ($5 per child). Kids don't lack clothes, though most are from The Warehouse. We telephone the UK at discounted hours. Electricity is just under $150 a month at the moment, but is obviously more in winter with electric heaters in use. Insurances are cheaper, dentistry about the same as private in UK. We can hopefully afford a week or two's holiday a year as long as one is within driving distance and the other one shortish plane ride away and we stay in a motel. Christmas is more 'low key' than the UK and has proved cheaper.

That is what we can afford with our $56K, don't think I've forgotten anything. Hope it helps!
::):

:icon_lol: [quote:fd62849283]I am a member of a women's gym. We have fish and chips at least once a week ($15), [/quote:fd62849283]

you maybe should have separated those two sentences..

:icon_lol:

thanks for the info though, very helpful..

... along with the mention of trips to the bakery, Pizza Hut and McDonalds! :icon_lol:

Truthfully ... your honour ... I visit these places just for the children - who seem to have a metabolism us 40-somethings can only wish for. :icon_biggrin:

Have to add to my original post, though, that I am not sure if we will be saving much (if anything) and more than one holiday a year would be put on the credit card initially, along with massive car repairs, new furniture/applicances etc. :icon_neutral:

::):