[photog]

Hi,

I am a father of 3 from Sydney, Australia about to make a big decision to move the family to NZ.

We have visited NZ many times (only the South Island) and every time we just love it. We would be thinking about living in Christchurch.

It is a big decision, especially with 3 kids (5, 3 & 6 months). My wife is not as keen as I am because we would be moving away from our family. My reasons for wanting to move:

1. More relaxed way of life... Sydney is VERY busy, no downtime
2. Better cost of living... Sydney is VERY expensive
3. Better outdoor, active lifestyle... We love skiing and boarding and being so close to Mt Hutt is a massive attraction.
4. A safer environment for my kids to grow up in... Sydney is not exactly dangerous but I think Christchurch would be better.

There are many, many more reasons but they are the main ones.

One question I did have was on salaries v's cost of living. What household income would you need to live comfortably in NZ? I currently earn $100k as an IT Project Manager here in Sydney (and I don't consider us living comfortably), would I get this much in NZ? Would I need to?

Look forward to chatting to some of you more on this topic.

Cheers,
Photog

[holland]

Can't answer your questions, but Welcome!!

[photog]

Can't answer your questions, but Welcome!!

Thanks Holland.

I would love to hear from any one currently living and working in Christchurch, especially if they have made the move with a new family.

Cheers.
:D

[dilanium]

I also can't answer your questions. I'm sure someone will soon.

But welcome to the forum.

-Liz

[mish&al]

I hear you Photog!

I am in sydney too, and we have just returned returned from 2 weeks in christchurch (that's where the man's from!).

I love sydney, would sometimes like a change of pace, although having just recently returned, I think Christchurch is actually more expensive than sydney, apart from house prices.

Salaries (or lack of!) are what is stopping us at the moment.

But it is definately a beautiful place, and the man likes MT Hutt too!

Michelle :nice1

[StevieD]

G'day and welcome to the forum mate!

Steve

[photog]

I hear you Photog!

I am in sydney too, and we have just returned returned from 2 weeks in christchurch (that's where the man's from!).

I love sydney, would sometimes like a change of pace, although having just recently returned, I think Christchurch is actually more expensive than sydney, apart from house prices.

Salaries (or lack of!) are what is stopping us at the moment.

But it is definately a beautiful place, and the man likes MT Hutt too!

Michelle :nice1

Hi Michelle,

Last time we were there was last September and retail things were comparable to Sydney prices. As you said though house prices were a lot less, prices in Sydney are ridiculous.

It is more of the outdoor lifestyle I don't get in Sydney which I want... I know you can have an outdoor lifestyle in Sydney but unless you are always willing to drive an hour or so (depending on where you live) to get to the beach or mountains it is very difficult. We live in the Sydney suburbs so the most exciting thing here is the shopping mall (lame I know).

Nothing in Australia can compare to the scenery and relaxed nature of the south island IMO.

As you said Salaries are a concern but then if you don't need to earn as much then it does not matter.

[Bruckner]

I have no answers for you but just wanted to say welcome to the forum Photog!

Emily

[mish&al]

yes I know all about the shopping mall...:laugh

Unfortunately I am from the north shore of sydney originally but we were pushed out into the south west suburbs by house prices, and yes, with my parents living in Lithgow, sister in Springwood, other sister in Denistone, and brother in Naremburn, I am always driving!!

Christchurch is a lovely place, and what I do like is the lack of traffic, and the ease of driving from one end to the other in a relatively short time.

He is still trying to convince me, though!:laugh

[photog]

I have no answers for you but just wanted to say welcome to the forum Photog!

Emily

Hi Emily, thanks for the reply.

[speckythecky]

Welcome to the forum.

I would say welcome to the biggest rollercoaster of your life but as an aussie you have an advantage over us poms and all the other nationalities on here.

Good luck with your plans, sorry I can't help on the chch questions.

[liamnrach]

Hi PhotoG

Welcome to the forum!! You will get all the answers you need here, no doubt! I have tracked down a thread that may be of interest to you; the link is below.....

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7570&highlight=survive+%2480k

You can use the search facility at the top of page, this is an excellent way to track down any information that you need. Failing that, someone will be along shortly to answer in more detail.

On an additional note, you can try Avalons money thread (In the money... etc. section), this provides some really useful information on just about every money issue relating to living in NZ....

Good luck to you.....:nice1

Liam n Rach

[constablechuck]

Hi,

I am a father of 3 from Sydney, Australia about to make a big decision to move the family to NZ.

We have visited NZ many times (only the South Island) and every time we just love it. We would be thinking about living in Christchurch.

It is a big decision, especially with 3 kids (5, 3 & 6 months). My wife is not as keen as I am because we would be moving away from our family. My reasons for wanting to move:

1. More relaxed way of life... Sydney is VERY busy, no downtime
2. Better cost of living... Sydney is VERY expensive
3. Better outdoor, active lifestyle... We love skiing and boarding and being so close to Mt Hutt is a massive attraction.
4. A safer environment for my kids to grow up in... Sydney is not exactly dangerous but I think Christchurch would be better.

There are many, many more reasons but they are the main ones.

One question I did have was on salaries v's cost of living. What household income would you need to live comfortably in NZ? I currently earn $100k as an IT Project Manager here in Sydney (and I don't consider us living comfortably), would I get this much in NZ? Would I need to?

Look forward to chatting to some of you more on this topic.

Cheers,
Photog


If you earned 100K NZD you could likely live comfortably here, it depends on your lifestyle, if you like to take frequent holiday's, drive new cars and have the best of everything then you ay very well struggle on 100K.