Simply can't afford to live in NZ

[Dawn]

Glenda, I wasn't meaning that no one else supports me, I know you do it just seemed relevant to thank Craig at the time.

Shell, I'd love to meet up with you in NZ as you think I'm amazing! Did you get that the rest of you -------- AMAZING!!!!

[Bermy Girl]

Hi Dawn...I'm the other crazy Bermudian...Shell's mate! If she thinks you're amazing you must be! We shall be in NZ in late July...for just a short stay this time...Shell's pretty amazing herself...crazy, but amazing...you'd all be crazy too if you lived on a 21 sq mile island! Maybe this is why so many of our friends in NZ think we'd fit in perfectly down there...hmmm?

As for the thread...I think everyone's already said it...not sure why she got so angry about it though...

[Dawn]

Originally Posted by Bermy Girl

you'd all be crazy too if you lived on a 21 sq mile island!

This is relevant to what was being said earlier in this thread about what people want isn't it. Living on a small island paradise might sound like heaven to a lot of people who don't but those on it long to see what else there is. It's not a case of wanting 'more', it's a case of wanting something different. We've all become far too bogged down with security, everyone plans for everything. We evolved to live off our instincts and now we don't do anything unless someone tells us it's safe to. Take the blinkers off, trust in yourself more and just do it!!

[Debd]

Hi guys,
This thread has turned quite depressing.
Seeing as the first post was about NZ being too expensive to live in for the poster, I will continue a little along that line if I may?? Ha!....
We've been here for over 8 months now and are watching the price of things, (meaning groceries, appliances and properties) fluctuate and sometimes, (and rarely), decrease.
I'm finding this strange as it makes everything have an uncertain air about it, especially when you have to take your children to the doctor or to the A&E at the hospitals with yet more bills to pay...... BUT c'est la vie. I've put off going to the dentist which is overdue.
I have to say, I really miss earning money on an even keel. In my line of work, I depend on people, mainly women, wanting to spend money on themselves so New Zealand has proved more difficult for me to earn than anticipated before.
To be brutal, Kiwis do not like putting their hand in their pocket, (believe me, I have stolen these words from Kiwis themselves, ha!)
One of my friends here said that she and her other friends would never consider tipping for any service given! Yet they have previously gone for jobs in the city where "'daft' tourists tip like mad".... see what I mean? The thing is, the longer you live here, the more relevant that becomes to you as you yourself have no money to tip people because you're just not earning enough, ha!!
Just an observation I thought some of you may like to hear.
Tip of the day.... excuse the pun..... bring as much money with you as possible!

[Taffy]

Originally Posted by Debd

Tip of the day.... excuse the pun..... bring as much money with you as possible!

Don't just bring it, invest it wisely!

[ExPat]

For those that care about housing and a little security....

Monday May 21, 09:26 AM
NZ home affordability feels the squeeze

There has been a dramatic squeeze in home affordability measures in New Zealand in the last three months, effectively shutting out most first-home buyers, according to a survey released at the weekend.

The Interest rates in New Zealand home loan affordability survey found that in April an average household needed two average incomes to afford a standard mortgage for a median-priced house.

This is the first time ever that the level of two full incomes has been breached.

Lenders assess total household income when approving a mortgage, rather than relying on just one income.

To achieve a situation where 40 per cent of total household income was used to pay the mortgage, 2.0 average incomes in a household are now needed, up from 1.9 in March 2007, 1.7 in April 2006, and 1.2 in April 2002.

In many parts of New Zealand it is now impossible to buy an average house on one average income.

The least affordable regions are Central Otago Lakes, Auckland and Northland and the most affordable regions are Southland, Otago and Manawatu/Wanganui.

In the last three months people needed 8.6 per cent more income to avoid being worse off with respect to mortgage affordability. In the past 12 months they needed 16.3 per cent more income.

[bstar]

Is NZ really that expensive?? I have lived in London for 6 years on a lower than average wage (for London not the UK)....it is ridiculous here. Surely it cannot be as bad as it is here?? Does anyone that comes from London find NZ as or more expensive??

[Taffy]

I don't think anyone from London could ever find NZ expensive! The biggest problem with housing at the moment is the boom over the last 2 years. Prices have shot up, but pay hasn't reflected that.

Something's gotta give sometime.

[kokopeli]

[Debd;43777]One of my friends here said that she and her other friends would never consider tipping for any service given!

We were told not to tip by the landlady of a guest house on our first day in NZ. She explained that tipping isn't part of the culture here, so people don't take it as a grievous insult if you don't do it.

I like to leave a tip when I've had great service, so not tipping does feel a bit strange - especially as the service in NZ is usual much friendlier and a lot more polite (although not necessarily as fast) as anywhere else I've been

[Welshgirl]

Ha Ha yes I'm with you on that one kokopeli. Coming from the UK, where it is considered the norm to tip, it feels very strange to not be expected to here. I do tip if I've received excellent service, but they don't attempt to turn me to stone with a dirty look if I don't (at least, not to my face!). The few people I have given tips to have seemed genuinely surprised and grateful.