[pat]

hi all
I have had alot of advice on nz.
We are a family of 5.Hubby has job offer in Auckland and wages are $48,000.
We are taking about $250,000 with us.
Hubby is on £45,000 in uk. We have been told that this wont be enough to survive.
We were thinking of renting in the Albany area. Is it better to buy first.
Our childrens ages are 8 16 19. The 2 older boys will be looking for work in nz, at the moment the eldest is working for a bricklayer and he is teaching him the trade.
We know it will be tough but we dont want to just get by.
Any advice please

[Diny]

Pat

Believe me, I'm not known for my mathematical excellence but, going by todays exchange rate I think the following calculations are right:

48,000 NZ dollars = 17,582 UK pounds.

45,000 UK pounds = 122,850 NZ dollars.

The difference is so staggering that I'm sitting here convincing myself that my maths is even more crap than I thought it was.

The cost of living needs to be taken into account, and also if your 2 sons will be working maybe some of their income will be taken into account.

I doubt this will help but you're right - this is scary. All the best and fingers crossed for you.

[Dave & Sandra]

Hi Pat

There is a cost of living calculator on this site - if you knock off the forums and just go to www.emigratenz.org - have a look at that to give you an idea about the cost of living.

Sandra

[Gran]

Aparently if your household income is less than 70k and you have children there are various benefits which you can obtain by contacting WINZ. This was introduced just recently, I'm not sure what your immigration status has to be to be able to take advantage of this.

[Raeven]

Gran!!

Lovely to see you again!!

All the best, Rae

[veronica]

Is there anything to stop you working too to start with, perhaps when you get out here and established it may pay your husband to look for another job. Cant answer your questions re cost of living as we are living above where we work at the moment so its a distorted figure.

[Moorf]

Hey Veronica... is it you that has set up the surf/ski shop in Chch?

[veronica]

Yep, ski and snowboard though, no surf stuff on the menu as yet, will be setting up a backpackers too, hopefully in time for the summer season.

[pat]

I hope to get a job as well but i have been told that it is really hard to get a part time job. It has got to be inbetween school hours as i have a 8 year old son.

[veronica]

Only just noticed that you are Essex bods too, whereabouts.

:clap Essex born and proud of it :clap

[Moorf]

How's business been - have lots of friends in the snowboard industry here in the UK, a couple of whom are looking to set up something in NZ.

Wow, a backpackers - cool, if you need anyone to test it out *cough* we know a willing couple :cool

[veronica]

I can offer a bit of info here, not a lot, but a bit, some friends have just come over from the UK, 3 small children, and they have been living in Auckland for a couple of months while job hunting and the guy has accepted a job for $55.000 so they must feel that will be enough to get them started. and to perhaps look for a better paid job once they have PR and are settled.

[Moorf]

I'd be happy to live on a small salary if that's all we can get .. just to get a foothold. :yes

And scenery is free so limitless entertainment :nice1

[pat]

Hi Veronica
We are from east london but moved to essex about 23 years ago. We live in grays near lakeside. Do you know it?.
Where in essex are you
Pat

[veronica]

Wickford and Chelmsford so yes I know the area. If you do decide to go, we shipped our stuff with Crayford freight, literally just down the road from you, they were great. We did all the packing ourselves, took it all to the depot and they packed the containers. That was just the business stuff. we have yet to send the house stuff but will use them again quite happily. The other family I mentioned in the earlier post are from Essex too.

[pat]

Thanks i will get in touch with them for a quote.