We went, We saw, We decided

Nick,

One last point to keep in mind. Although we might have the initial funds to purchase a property even at $300,000 it occurred to us that if the real estate market declines (or crashes) then you could potentially find yourself with significant losses both on the property value depreciation and the currency conversion. With inflation growing rampantly in the US, it may set off a global economic meltdown or global recession which would send property values declining everywhere.

Quite honestly, the housing values are just too way out of whack in most of New Zealand and they need to correct. Of course, this will only be a problem depending on your age, family obligations, etc.

I have found this thread amusing.
Why?
Because of the things that I want to go to NZ for are
the cheap cost of housing and property - we are looking to buy around 10 acres of land with a house a lot bigger than our current one for the same price that we will set for a 3 bed semi
the cheaper cost of good quality food
the lack of the habit of eating junk food at fast food outlets
the ease at which you can progress in business and career if you are willing to be flexible and have a 'can do' attitude
oh and cheap petrol prices - it is around ?1 a litre here
paying slightly less in tax than I do currently

Yes...it is interesting reading all the responses and opinions in this thread! Everyone has their own priorities and experiences in life and they deserve the right to be the way the want to be. Since we ARE moving to NZ, I am adopting the policy of 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'My observations during my short trip to Chch in February were made in comparison to life like I know it here in the US. Gasoline is $2.79 a gallon (and we are complaining about how expensive it is!), food is cheaper, clothing and cars are a lot cheaper, income tax is 15% and our 1,900 square foot home with a screened pool cost us US$127,000 six years ago. Of course, houses in NY City would be much more etc. Not everything in the US is wonderful....some people have to work more than one job to make ends meet. Until I got married just five years ago (I am pushing 49) I had 4 jobs AND I have a graduate degree. I am self-employed and everytime I got sick, it would cost at least $250 to see the doctor and get drugs. Being self-employed also meant paying double social security taxes (30%).
The reason why I mentioned waiters being paid a decent wage is because in the US they are paid close to nothing, making most of their money on tips. So, even for those who are willing to work hard here in the US, it can sometimes be a challenge.

The reason why I mentioned waiters being paid a decent wage is because in the US they are paid close to nothing, making most of their money on tips. So, even for those who are willing to work hard here in the US, it can sometimes be a challenge.

and boy do they hate us British who don't come from a system of tipping :-[

A very very valuable post(s) ExPat, it's good to see the other perspective on things.

Like Moggy, I had to chuckle tho, I would urge you to come to England for a similar styled visit and post your comments on here hehe. Isn't the world a merri-go-round eh?

America is soo cheap for everything tho, it would be mental not to think "woah it's expensive here" almost anywhere you go surprised you didn't pick up on this before your visit. Having said that you mentioned yourself, the economic situation in the US. See above for clues as to the problem perhaps. Everythings gotta be paid for eventually eh? :icon_wink:

Glad you commented on Auckland, I felt exactly the same when I was there and thought I must have been weird when loads of peeps disagreed (not to say you shouldn't tho guys of course).

Moggy

I couldn't agree more with your reasons for moving to NZ, also what about the crime levels - safety on the street - cleanliness etc?

Regardless of the economic balancing acts, somethings just cant have a price put on them.

Nick

I agree, but what is one man's paradise is another's hell. Everyone has different priorities in life and different life experiences to help them cope with different situations.

I do think though from what the OP said, the they are probably right that NZ is not for them.

I would like to counter some of your comments...

It is widely publisied by most of the recruitment agencies in NZ that salaries are dramatically lower in NZ than many western countries, the UK and the US especially...

Here in the UK (with 14 years work behind me and being both CIMA (Management Accountant) and CIPD (Training & Development specialist) qualifications I can expect to earn approx ?25,000 to ?60,000, that is not enough to even save for a deposit ?for a house let alone buy one... the average house price here in London now stands at ?250,000..( and you'll be lucky to get 2 bed flat for that where I live in Hammersmith) in Wellington the average is NZ$280,000 (with the exchange rate ? to $ thats only ?93,000) and you think its expensive!!!!

The whole point about the NZ way of life is creating a better work life balance and a healthier one at that... fresh food... fresh air... no over crowding etc...

I'm sure the idea that you couldn't buy the things you were used to buying at home in the US was a surprise but I must admit its not one that would surprise me... I expect to have to learn differing tastes and some of the fun is going to be finding those substitute produsts for my old favs back in the UK...

As for fuel... no where in the world has cheaper petrol than the US and neither does any other country contribute more to the effects of global warming than the gas guzzling cars of the states.. the whole point of the high taxation of fuel throughout the world is to get people to use cars less..

I hope I haven't come across too harsh but I must say I hear it every day here in london.. people arriving here expecting things to be like back home.. and I'm sure its the same the world over.. my only hope is that the people who make these life changing decisions fully understand what to expect before they move and therefore your decision to put moving to NZ on hold is probably the best one for you..

One little piece of statistical info here for you.. 4 out 5 ?people who move to NZ STAY... (80% in great odds as far as I'm concerned) Myself I'm looking forward to arriving in Wellington in August ...and hopefully I'll be able to increase those statistics a little more :)

As for fuel... no where in the world has cheaper petrol than the US and neither does any other country contribute more to the effects of global warming than the gas guzzling cars of the states.. the whole point of the high taxation of fuel throughout the world is to get people to use cars less..

Hmm not sure about that stat. Pretty sure the fossil fuel burning countries of India, China etc. contribute more.

Try not to turn the thread into an anti-american one, his opinions can only be received gratefully, he didn't have to spend the time to post his thoughts, nor does he really have to justify his decision.

Here's what I found about US greehouse gas emissions from the US Energy Information Administration at the Department of Energy:

It is estimated that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2001 totaled 5,692 million metric tons. To put U.S. emissions in a global perspective, total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions for the world in 2001 are estimated at 23,899 million metric tons, making U.S. emissions about 24 percent of the world total.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/gg04rpt/emission.html