[heatherc]

Hi, have enjoyed reading the last few weeks.

My OH is a kiwi who wants to return after 15 years in Scotland. He has already had a job offer but I'm pretty unnerved - three kids aged 12/8/5 - living a fairly good standard of living here (not City bonuses or anything - about £40000 between the two of us). I'm worried about the money situation in NZ coz his job offer is for $70000, and I want to work part-time, but have only worked in an office before. We're moving to Auckland, OH is from Invercargill and thats where I spent 6 months 15 years ago.

There's both positive and negative things on here, but mostly to do with money they are negative. We've had quite a few years of struggling before we've got to the point we are at now, so I dont really want to struggle in a new country...Do you think it is possible to live not too badly on $70000 for a family of 5 in Auckland? I think we'll miss the free doctor/dentist/eyecare in the UK.

Thanks for reading - hoping for some feedback!

Heather :roll

[Carol]

Do you think it is possible to live not too badly on $70000 for a family of 5 in Auckland?

Heather :roll


Hi Heather....
So many factors to take into account - but...
PERSONALLY....
If I had a mortgage....... I would find it quite difficult to live in Auckland with my 3 kids (a little older than yours) on $70k (I'm assuming that is before tax?)
Perhaps in other areas of NZ - yes - it would be OK.

But...that's just me.
I'm sure there will be others who will say - yes - easy - comfortable.

[Carey]

Welcome to the forum. Can't comment on your specific details of salary etc as we are yet to get there, but sure someone else will.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

[Peter&Liz]

Hi Heather,

Welcome to the forum, we are both originally from Scotland :)

A lot I think would depend on how much of a mortgage or rent you had to pay, interest rates are quite high in NZ so any large mortgage is going cost.

There is a cost of living calculator here that might help you calculate what type of lifestyle you can afford.

http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.HTML

Best of luck with your plans.

Peter

[benandclare]

Welcome to the forum :yes

[IanW99]

Hi, have enjoyed reading the last few weeks.

My OH is a kiwi who wants to return after 15 years in Scotland. He has already had a job offer but I'm pretty unnerved - three kids aged 12/8/5 - living a fairly good standard of living here (not City bonuses or anything - about £40000 between the two of us). I'm worried about the money situation in NZ coz his job offer is for $70000, and I want to work part-time, but have only worked in an office before. We're moving to Auckland, OH is from Invercargill and thats where I spent 6 months 15 years ago.

There's both positive and negative things on here, but mostly to do with money they are negative. We've had quite a few years of struggling before we've got to the point we are at now, so I dont really want to struggle in a new country...Do you think it is possible to live not too badly on $70000 for a family of 5 in Auckland? I think we'll miss the free doctor/dentist/eyecare in the UK.

Thanks for reading - hoping for some feedback!

Heather :roll

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

As others have said, before any advice we would need to know the approx amount of capital you expect to bring or at least whether you expect a mortgage and how much or will be renting?

For example, if you won't need a mortgage or rent then NZ$70K is really good to live on, but if you need a large mortgage then its not good at all.

BTW, the dentist can be free for children.

Ian

[JandM]

Hello.:)

[heatherc]

hi again and thanks for welcome and good wishes.

We're expecting to keep our house here for a year, and rent. By the looks of the market in Auckland we'd be expecting a have a relatively small mortgage of $100,000 when we do sell up and buy in NZ. Whilst renting we think we'd be looking at places for about $400 a month.

I've tried the cost of living calculator and to be honest thats why I'm scared. Seems to be that the cost of most things is the same as the UK, or more - except petrol.

Such a big leap of faith required, thats why it's good to share things on here to know there are great reasons for uprooting.

[dusk]

just a small point but most rents listed in NZ are listed for weekly rates not monthly, I haven't seen many (habitable) places that only cost $100 per week...

but anyway, hello! :)

[heatherc]

oops, meant $400 a week - big difference - used to rents being pcm in uk

[5kings]

Hi

Did you look at the extra help available to families? Bit like our tax credits to top up your income, I think you need PR though, but there is a link to it from the Cost of Living Calculator.

If we make the move, we will probably start out on less than $70K and think we can manage, this is with one income which will hopefully go up to two incomes after a year or so.

I think we will be skint to start with, but if we can get a job offer and PR are going to go for it anyway. We are used to being on a tight budget and know things will improve if we work hard. Yes it is a bit of a gamble, but we are in the 'you only live once brigade' and if it all goes pear-shaped what a great adventure we will have had!

Bit scary with the three kids, but my three are up for it!

Helen

Helen

[zardell]

Is $400 a week rent the average in Auckland? Some very good friends of ours own property there and I thought it would be nearer $600+, but I'm happy to stand corrected.

Maybe someone who actually lives there will come along and advise...

Julie

xx

[mgbridges]

There are places in Auckland for $400 a week, all depends on where you look. We rented a 3 bed place on the North Shore for $410 a week but it wasn't in the best state (landlords had bought it to do up and resell) but as we knew it was only short term it wasn't a problem for us.

I think there are better places for around $400 if you have the time and energy to look and can act quickly if somewhere good comes up on Trademe for example. If you can be the first one on the phone to the landlord you have a chance of getting it!

HTH
Anneliese