[TheBigSaxon]

Hello everybody,

My wife and I are getting ready to move to NZ. We haven't figured out just yet where we are going to be going although we are leaning towards Fendalton, Christchurch. We found a beautiful home for much less than our current house in the US.

I have a pending job offer in CC and as such I submitted my EOI today. It came back at 250 and I believe that should get me approved fairly quickly. Also, just curious as to if anybody knows. I have heard that you can "buy" citizenship/residency in NZ. I am trying to remember but basically if you contributed $300,000 NZD or higher into the NZ economy, ie depositing it in a NZ bank for at least 1 year. Could anybody clarify that for me.

Oh, an introduction. My name is Dan and my wife's name is Nikki. I'm 31, a degree in Electrical Engineering and a major history and re-enactment buff. Nikki is 34 and a home maker. We will be bringing our 8 year old wolf-mix Cinder and our little cat wannabe puma, Little.

Also, I'm looking at cars. I'm digging the new Holden SportWagon but I also like the new Mazda6 wagon or the Toyota Rav diesel. How is Holden's quality?

We will be in CC this March. If anybody wants to get together for drinks or whatnot, shoot me a line.

Cheers,

Dan

[seattle]

I think you might be referring to the General (Active) Investor Category – for migrants investing a minimum of NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand, who have an additional NZ$1 million for settlement funds.

[JandM]

Hello and welcome. :)

[clairelouise]

Hello and welcome to the forum :)

[sbinder]

Any chance you're bringing some Nittany Lions into the country?
You can apply for residency almost as soon as you step off the plane for the princely sum of NZD2000, give or take, but still have to wait 5 years before gaining citizenship.
Shane

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome. Good luck with your plans.

[seattle]

Hi and welcome also! :) We are looking at Fendalton as well...good luck!

[TheBigSaxon]

Any chance you're bringing some Nittany Lions into the country?
You can apply for residency almost as soon as you step off the plane for the princely sum of NZD2000, give or take, but still have to wait 5 years before gaining citizenship.
Shane


Go Lions. Main Campus 93'-96'.

I'm absolutely loving their run this year too. BTW, are there any NCAA or NFL games on in NZ? That's also good to know about the residency fee. After living in Philly for so long and the cost of living, the conversion rate to NZ fees are almost like a welcome change. As for the 5 years bit, that's not surprising.

[TheBigSaxon]

Thanks everybody.

[Mrs Pony]

welcome and good luck!

[sbinder]

Go Lions. Main Campus 93'-96'.

I'm absolutely loving their run this year too. BTW, are there any NCAA or NFL games on in NZ? That's also good to know about the residency fee. After living in Philly for so long and the cost of living, the conversion rate to NZ fees are almost like a welcome change. As for the 5 years bit, that's not surprising.

It figures they have their best season since I left (Univ Park '97-'02) and there's no possible way I can make it back for a game! Maybe if I had won Powerball last weekend...

There is one sports bar in town, of which I am aware (The Holy Grail) in an old movie theatre, so presentation-wise, it's pretty nice. However, I have yet to see any college football there, although I am told they may have a game or two on during the weekend. This weekend's game is naturally pre-empted by the World Series; talk about misplaced priorities! Bottom line is there is very limited coverage; I get by with web sources only.

We have a gal seconded down to our office from the head office in Auckland; she's a Wolverine. Her timing was impeccable, as I finally had someone with which to enjoy football; most everyone around here has it confused with some other sport.

A quick note on residency: the standard route, I am told, is the work-to-residency route in which you work for 2 years and then have a shortened (and cheaper process) to get residency. Still have to wait 5 years after for citizenship, I think. Alternately, you can apply as soon as you land, assuming you have enough on your EOI to progress through the process (and 250 ought to be plenty). It's a bit pricier (the $2000 I quoted earlier) but if you do it quickly after arrival, you can still use your medicals and background check from your visa, so it saves hassle on that end.

Let me know if you need help with anything - we could use more dog-owning Penn State engineers down here!
Cheers,
Shane

[M-Squared]

Welcome to the forums! Best of luck selling your house... :eek: :exit