[Hackswell]

'allo! I'm Richard, and I'm from Dayton, Ohio, USA. Just thought I'd officially introduce myself. I just love travelling - I've been to Canada, USA, Mexico (where my wife is from), and Chile (GORGEOUS country!).

I've had my EOI selected (130 points, no offer so far), now waiting for an ITA. It's been almost a month, with no word from the London Branch. Is this typical these days?

Just a few questions about NZ. I've been mostly interested in Wellington, BoP, or Christchurch. (I don't like large cities). Which have the highest and lowest cost of living? I'm used to an extremely dirt-cheap midwest small city. (My house cost my US$80,000!)

Does anyone know of some good IT companies to work for? Note: I am NOT a Microsoft person. I'm more of UNIX and Open source solutions.

How much have you Americans paid on average for the PR? Including immigration fees, doctors' fees, etc.

Are there any cities in NZ with a decent sized latino population? My wife is from Mexico, and would probably need to be close to some latinos to make up for the lack of contact with her family in the USA and Mexico.

And finally... do they have dandelions in NZ?

[Wahlet]

Welcome Richard!

I'm from the western US, heading over to NZ in a couple months if all works out time and money-wise.

My costs for PR?

$36 FBI background checks for my wife and I
$18 RCMP background check for my wife (she lived in Canada)
$317 EOI application
$514 Physicals for my wife and I
$1390 PR application fee (just paid today)
$500 Migrant levy for two people (will be paying this when my PR is approved)

Total: $2775. This does not include copies, postage to London, and all the gas required for running around after paperwork.

[dilanium]

Hi Richard!

Sorry I can't answer any of your questions (as I'm going about this a different way than you), I just wanted to say welcome to the boards from another Ohioan. (There's a few on here now).

[JandM]

Yes, they do have dandelions. I was almost sure I remembered seeing them, and they must do, because here's a New Zealand herbal site talking about picking them wild to use. http://www.nzhealth.net.nz/herbs/dandelion.shtml

[dusk]

Just wanted to say hello, nothing practical to add :)

[granger]

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum. For your wife you could try sending a PM to Mexican in NZ (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/member.php?u=1535).

[Hackswell]

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum. For your wife you could try sending a PM to Mexican in NZ (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/member.php?u=1535).

Thanks for the tip! Now that this is my 5th post, I should be able to PM folks! ;)

[Nick88]

Yes, they do have dandelions. I was almost sure I remembered seeing them, and they must do, because here's a New Zealand herbal site talking about picking them wild to use. http://www.nzhealth.net.nz/herbs/dandelion.shtml

We definitely have dandelions! The Aussie have the Dandenongs.

[Hackswell]

We definitely have dandelions! The Aussie have the Dandenongs.

Dandenongs? Only outside of Melbourne, though. ;)

[JandM]

I have to ask - why the interest in dandelions? I have to ask, but you don't have to decide to tell, of course!

[Hackswell]

I have to ask - why the interest in dandelions? I have to ask, but you don't have to decide to tell, of course!

It was random. And they are tasty. :p

But I do prefer mead to dandelion wine.

:laugh

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome

[JandM]

:laugh

Okay... Yes, they're good eating. But each to his own on the drinks you mention - I won't be racing you to the bar if that's all they've got!

[Hackswell]

:laugh

Okay... Yes, they're good eating. But each to his own on the drinks you mention - I won't be racing you to the bar if that's all they've got!

Hehe... I've been known to do a homebrew every now and again... a few kit beers, and a few meads. Yum!

Is homebrewing ok in NZ?

[Nick88]

Homebrewing here is very popular, I do quite alot of wine.

There is also no shortage of honeys here, clover, manuka (tea-tree) and mixed pasture. The manuka would make a pretty odd mead though, I imagine it would taste like an alcoholic Dr Pepper.

[dilanium]

Alcoholic Dr. Pepper sounds good to me...

[Hackswell]

Alcoholic Dr. Pepper sounds good to me...

Spoken like a true Yank!

Care for some Jack and Coke? ;)

[dilanium]

I actually don't like Rum.

And I barely even drink soda (pop), but when I do I drink Dr. Pepper.

Usually, when I drink, I drink either red wine or mojitos. :)

[IanW99]

I actually don't like Rum.

And I barely even drink soda (pop), but when I do I drink Dr. Pepper.

Usually, when I drink, I drink either red wine or mojitos. :)

Oh dear, I don't think I've seen any Dr Pepper sold in NZ?

And talking of dandelions, what about Dandelion and Burdock drink, don't get that in NZ either.

Ian

[dilanium]

Oh no, I'll have to give up drinking flavored carbonated sugar water? That's horrible!(/sarcasm)

It'll be a good thing for me to not drink soda, I don't need the calories, nor the acid eating away at my teeth! I'll just have to drink more wine!

[shakyle2906]

Hi Richard

Sorry, missed this post, but have noticed you have been on a few replies the same as me.

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the forum!

Sharon

Hope your plans go well!

[BkyMonster]

Most of the demand I see for programmers is not open source based. Open source doesn't actually seem as popular in NZ.
Of course my OH hasn't been job hunting in NZ yet, but from what the advertisements ask Unix/Linux and similar isn't in as much demand as say Java, .Net (LINQ) and assorted flavors of C.
Java still seems to be popular in NZ, where the US seems to have (mostly) gotten over the fad. :)


I'm sure you'll do well regardless. :cheers