[Sarah Jane]

Well I joined last year in October and posted messages and gleaned all the information I could about moving to NZ as my husband received a job offer in September. His job offer was for $70,000 per year and with all the info we read and replies we got on here we were told we would be ok living on that money.

We received our residents visas in December and arrived here Jan 2nd. Life seemed simple at the beginning but as we started to look into financial issues we got a shock.

For a start we were told cars were cheap over here. Well new cars may be cheaper but second hand cars are certainly dearer. We ended up paying $7,000 for a 1997 2 door corsa and that was a good price. If we had known how expensive second hand cars were we would have shipped our own over. The next thing was food. We thought that food would be cheaper....no. A lot of the basics like loo rolls and such are expensive. All the things you need like razors, tampons etc are dear.
Now bakery that's another subject. A french stick that you buy in tescos at 45p is $1.99 for one that is half the size. In fact all the bakery is expensive here We bought doughnuts a couple weeks back and they cost $4 for 4. That's in a supermarket I might add, equivalent to tescos doughnuts at 4 for 99p. As for bread rolls, well I now bake my own as it's cheaper as you can get 5kg bags of bread mix in the supermarkets and that works out at $1 a loaf.
And if you've got kids that take all those snacks to school for lunches like kitkats, single twix, penguins etc, well you won't get them here. And they won't get monster munch, skips, hula hoops, discos, oh well the list is endless. Forget the crisps because what they do have is some maize type thing in a tiny bag which are twice as dear as uk prices.
Next bad thing is the lack of diet drinks.....well they don't have them. The best you'll get is orangeade and lemonade and coke and that's it. I've now got my kids onto drinkiing water and fruit juice (but that's no bad thing).
Now while on the subject of kids there is such a thing a school uniform. Erm well we spend more than $800 on that. A single school jumper alone was $95 (almost £40) and it's not even good quality. The downside is that school uniform is available at one outlet only so there's no price competitiveness. Add to that the school fees that you have to pay (and that is all down to a government issue that the government doesn't pay enough money to the school so they have to charge fees), and the fees at out local school which is not a great one is $300 per child then you are looking at around $2000 for schooling 2 children at an ordinary school per year. And remember there's no child benefit. All income is taxed starting at 19% from the first penny....and there's no free doctors or subsidised dentists. And my biggest final discovery is that once you get over here if you're going to live here in Auckland don't plan your trip back to England too soon unless you're earning mega bucks. The flights here to Auckland are not so bad....we paid £2000 for a family of 4....as for getting back well I priced up for us to go to England in the summer with the same airline we came out here with and economy seats etc and the bill was.........$19,000. I don't think we'll be able to afford that for a long time so my word of warning to you all is if you've got access to the internet then look up prices to getting back and build this in to your other expense of living here.
As for the good things of living here. Well there is crime but low. The kids are taught respect in schools and I've had teenagers being polite to me in the street even if I'm the one in the way. If you want to 'get away from it all' then you can do it here. There are so many beaches and bays that you can have peace and isolation easily. Also wildlife is wonderful...so much, and even the other day I was out on a picnic and I had ducks and ducklings climbing over my legs for a bit of my sandwich...you don't get that in England...well not where I come from in England anyway.
I wish I'd known so much before I came out here. Chances are I wouldn't have come if I'd have known how expensive it was to live here in Auckland and knowing how difficult it would be for us as a family to get back to England to see friends and family.....
If anyone would like any information on any aspect of living here in Auckland I'll be pleased to reply. I can see how alot of people are so keen to get here....just the same as I was not that long ago....

[Carol]

You're right Sarah Jane.......
We have really just started to get our financial act together after 4 years of me working full time as well as hubby.
We are both on reasonable salaries - but with 3 kids the cost of living here is really shocking.






I've just bought myself some new clothes....first time in ...well I dont know how long.
I paid $101 for two skirts two blouses and a huge straw hat.

OK - it was all in the "slashed even further sale" at Ballentynes but that's all I could afford.
I long for the days of catalogue shopping...........

That said - my kids are happy.
And safe.
And respectful.
And polite.
(Even the 16 year old!)

:nice1

[wilson182]

I think the cost of living here was one of the biggest shocks we had, but we have shopped about and experiment with things and kinda got things on an even keel. I have to add we are living in Christchurch, and from the sounds of things it is cheaper here. We managed to buy a four door nissan bluebird (second hand) here back in May for $4500, and it is a lovely car. Do you have Couplands bakery in Auckland, they sell bread for 99cents, as do Pak n Save. I know a lot of people wont agree, but most of their stuff is ok. We also struggled with lunch box snacks, but the basics range of snack bars (like Kit Kat) are ok, but the chocolate is alot sweeter than we are used to. We have changed our tastes too, for example, we dont tend to buy crisps any more, cause as you say, they are nothing like the packs you buy in England. I also find it quite hard to find sugar free fruit drinks here too, but that may just be me. :oops: I'm used to shopping on a budget, so I dont tend to buy 'named' brands, but then I never used to in England either. The biggest shock for me was (and still is) paying over $7 for a decent shampoo/conditioner.

[Sarah Jane]

Good for you Carol...enjoy those clothes. And I think the biggest thing we can see with living here is the difference in the kids..... they are so much nicer and you can see how they instill respect in them at school...maybe that's what we're paying for (well I think we'd pay for that in England if we could get it). Glad to hear your kids are doing so well after 4 years...I assume they wouldn't go back. It's been harder for mine at 12 & 14 particularly the 14 year old but they are seeing that the kids in their school are not so nasty even though we didn't come from a particularly nasty place in England. As for the expenses here well....I'll buy myself some new clothes when I don't have to buy school uniform anymore (or maybe I'll start wearing their uniforms when they've left school if it's in decent shape!!!).

[Moorf]

Whilst I agree that things here aren't all good and cheap here it really is down to research before you arrive. It's easy to research grocery prices at the Woolworths website https://www.woolworths.co.nz/homeshopping/default.asp (and they are not the cheapest food outlet) and you can also check car prices at sites such as http://www.autonet.co.nz/ . Houses prices can be researched at the main sites such as www.realenz.co.nz .

As for flights, a quick search for 2 adults 2 kids in, say, June comes in at approx $10,000 (not sure where you got your $19,000 quote from :eek or which airline but the $10k price was from Singapore air for June 2005). But even so, $10,000 is a huge whack to save when there is little left at the end of each month :? .

As for foodstuffs, it's not the UK and you won't find all your fav's here, but there are great alternatives and if you're intent on staying then you really need to get used to them and discover the alternatives. :nice1

[Aug & Feb]

It is worrying reading about how expensive things really are in Auckland...has anyone here done comparative study between Auckland, NZ and Sydney or Melbourne in Australia ?

Do you all know of any websites or forums on emigrating to Australia ? I hope to find forums as wonderful as this NZ emigratenz.org !! I am really impressed with the level of participation and generous sharing of minds, opinions and support the members here provide to each other. :P

By the way, what are really affordable and cheap in NZ as compared to England ? :?

[Carol]

By the way, what are really affordable and cheap in NZ as compared to England ? :?

good steak and meat
decent wine
PETROL!!
generally speaking - eating out anywhere


We bought a '96 Honda Odyssey for $12,000 which we love as it gives us valuable space for the kids when travelling.
Didnt think that was too bad a price.


Dentist bills are dire so I dont go anymore...
Try not to visit the doc too often either.

Work more on getting myself healthier.


Sarah Jane - we have actually been here for 9 years but I've only been working full time for 4 as I have a litlle one.
THe boys were 7 and 4 when we came.

We have managed two trips home in 9 years but I doubt we will be able to do it again as it cost us 4 fares last time. (Plus 3/4 for our 6 year old).
On the last trip home - my brother commented on the boys (now 16 and 13) saying how polite and "still young" they were.... he also said not to let them out on their own as they would get "eaten alive"


So glad we are here.....

[Sarah Jane]

Hey Carol that comment about 'they would get eaten alive' , well I know all about that. I came from Walthamstow in London...moved about 6 years ago to Northants and then to Devon and when I go back and visit my friends in London I will not let my kids out with their kids.....they would get eaten alive cos they haven't grown up in that environment enough to fight for themselves....unlike my older 3 children who grew up there and they are tough kids. I moved them to Northants at the ages when they were 18, 16 and 15. Now they are 24, 22 and 21 and they go to London they say they would never want to live there.....strange for kids that grew up there....just shows how much it's changed.
And Moorf, I got those prices from the cathay pacific website (thats the airline we flew here with)...just put dates in for July and $19,0000 is the price they came up with. If you can direct me where to go for cheaper prices I shall be more than grateful as I'll do anything to get back to see everyone in Engand....(and a couple of nights in a chateau in France would be wonderful too...oh and some french cuisine Mmmmmmm).

[Moorf]

Hi Sarah - I got the prices from the Singapore Air website www.singaporeair.com - happy hunting :nice1

Having said that, I put in 2 adults 2 kids and from your post above they are all in their 20's so I guess they'll be on adult fares :?

[Sarah Jane]

Thanks Moorf I've bookmarked that website now....and going to be saving hard!

[veronica]

Hi, The summer period is the most expensive to fly, whichever way you go. This is because the english summer holidays are the most popular time for people from the uk to fly out here. we have always booked a return from the UK and used that, buying the return a few months before we leave for England. So far we have paid between £500/£600 generally, usually about march time. This time when I was in the UK I booked for our 12 year old foster grandson to come out for the school holidays, it was a nasty shock to find the cheapest flight I could get him for that period of time was £950 but we moved it a couple of weeks earlier and got it for £863, still not nice. Try looking at flights a different time of year to either hemisphere summer holidays.

[kiwi]

Hi Sarah,

I am in chch, and our primary school fees are $25 for 1 $40 for a family and the uniform can be bought at postie plus...($15 for a sweatshirt etc)
Our high school boys can be bought from school only and again $23 for a polo shirt etc...and $80 for the year for a 'donation'

Alot of schools here wont let kids take chocolate in their lunches (or sweets) so penguins would be sent back home anyway (for mum to eat while cooking dinner as she 'unpacks'!! the lunch box)

If it gets too expensive for you...come south, we couldnt afford to live in auckland (hubby is a primary school teacher) it is dearer than sydney I think! (except for the property prices)
although someone said chch was the same as property in LA...money/wages etc...very expensive!

anyway, good luck, waffling now...

have a safe trip home
Nic

[Sarah Jane]

Thanks Kiwi you cheered me up. Now I think I'd like to live in Christchurch but hubs job is with New Zealand Herald so we're stuck in Auckland. But your school fee's well I think I'm going to head south if poss but thanks cos you've told me the differences in prices in area (the school feels are criminal although do you earn less down there so thats why they are less?) As for chocolate...me thinks I'm going to become the flapjack queen of Auckland healthy and cheap..especially when you can buy huge bags of oats in paknsave. the rate we're going with the healthy foods we should live to a hundred and fifty!!!

[kiwi]

everyone needs a bowel motion.....!!

he could work on the press down here!??

are flap jacks...anzac biscuits?
how are the lamington lessons going? mastered them yet and the bacon and egg pie? and the pav?

so much to learn!

we make muffins (we! some do..I buy $10 of a junk a week and put it in their boxes with white jam sandwiches!) or yoghurts, or jelly or le snack things (cheese and cracker things) etc

you will get there, early days..it has only been 2 mths, I would have barely learnt where the dairy is (and that it isnt a cow shed!!) by now...give it 5 yrs and you will be rocking!

if you come south for a holiday, we will do lunch, I have 5 kids...we can talk about the 10 kids we have between us!

and water is good, and you dont need the bakery..what about the ice cream huh!? good ay!

Nic

[Tanya]

Hi Sarah,

I am in chch, and our primary school fees are $25 for 1 $40 for a family and the uniform can be bought at postie plus...($15 for a sweatshirt etc)
Our high school boys can be bought from school only and again $23 for a polo shirt etc...and $80 for the year for a 'donation'

Hmmm we must be in a "dear" school then - our "Donation" for 2 primary school children is $180.00 a year but I am not complaining - kind of prefer the user pays system over here - seems fairer than taking from everyone as in the UK

Tanya

[kiwi]

mate! fendalton will sting you for what they can.

cant this side of town....yay!
Nic

[Tanya]

mate! fendalton will sting you for what they can.

cant this side of town....yay!
Nic
But we're not in Fendalton - does that mean they are even dearer???

Tanya

[kiwi]

I know what flap jacks are now..pancakes (but with oats?)
sorry,,,duh!!!

what about pikelets?
made them yet?

[Moorf]

Perhaps it goes on the demographics of an area Tanya? And I agree, being childless I so prefer not having to pay for others kids to go to school :laugh Bah humbug!

[kiwi]

arent you around the corner from fendalton?..it is all the same area...ilam, merivale, etc decile 10000!

chch girls high is expensive too...compared to linwood etc.
All in relation to the area and what the parents earn etc that is all the decile means too..just the $$$ in the area.

no $$ this side! (no smog either from those fires that are going to be burning once next week comes along..day light saving..gone!)

[richard]

arent you around the corner from fendalton?..it is all the same area...ilam, merivale, etc decile 10000!



We aren't actually too sure where we live :oops: The agency we rent from call it Ilam. Telecom call it Burnside and other companies call it Avonhead.

We mentioned to one of our neighbours that we think we actually live in Avonhead and he went to great pains with a phone book to prove that we were in Ilam by checking on listings for the surrounding houses. I think he saw $$$$ falling off the value of his house if it turned out his house is actually in Avonhead.

I still think it probably is Avonhead but lets just call it upper Fendalton :laugh

[Moorf]

C'mon guys, come clean, we all know you live in Aranui! :laugh :laugh

[Karoline]

Be happy about the lack of diet drinks! Aspartame and other sugar replacers are very bad for your health (type in aspartame in google and find out for yourself...http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/)! They even warned in the news here in the Netherlands that small kids should not drink or eat stuff that has sugar replacers in it!
Over here it's almost impossible to buy stuff that hasn't got aspartame (chewing gum for example).
Drinking water and natural fruit juices is much better!

[Diny]

Just as a matter of interest, talking about the school fees. I think it's a very good idea.

Are the fees paid directly to the school or to some government dept where they 'absorbed' into the public purse?

Also, is it compulsary? In other words, what about the poorer families who simply can't pay it (or even those who won't pay it).

Am I right in thinking the fee is for school books and classroom equipment. Darn good idea if you ask me.

Mind you ..... this is just an observation NOT a poke at anybody, but could this been seen as the 'thin end of the wedge' where spending tax payers money is concerned? I can fully appreciate Moorfs comment about not wanting to pay for education as she doesn't have any kids - I agree. However, could the more pedantic members of the community argue that if they don't own a car they shouldn't have to pay for the upkeep of the highways, or if they don't drink, smoke or over-eat they shouldn't be made to pay for the health care that goes towards the many associated diseases that these things cause, or if they don't venture out at night why should they pay for street lighting.

I'd like to bet if this 'top up' fee was introduced in the UK you'd get all kinds of 'fall out' over who should or shouldn't pay this, that or the other.

Diny

[foolsgold99]

used cars do appear to be shockingly expensive. I'm starting to reconsider shipping ours.

My '99 Alfa 156, has a value here of about £2k, in auckland the same model / year is going for 3 - 4 times that :eek :eek

[jubjub]

here's a money saving idea for you all. brew your booze

http://www.realbeer.co.nz/homebrewers/shops/

[kiwi]

Diny it is a 'donation' and up to you to hopefully pay it cos it provides extra things like computers!

If you dont pay (in the posher areas like upper fendalton) they can put a bit of pressure on you and make it known "this family havent paid" by picking on the kid etc. (in auckland it is worse for that kind of thing..the higher the decile the least amount of govt money so they expect parents to cough up)

We all have to pay for our kids BOOKS here...that costs about $50 a year per kid, and I dont mean picture books, I mean text books for them to write in...the schools alwasy want us to get A5J ($7 each) and they want about 10 of them! why not 1I5....only 40 cents?? I digress, it is expensive at the beginning of the year and you have to ferrat away $10 a week all year to pay for it all.

Then there are camps and trips etc, nothing is 'free' here swimming is $12 a week for a lousy 30 mins in a huge group for 5 days...grrr.

nic

[Tanya]

.

Then there are camps and trips etc, nothing is 'free' here swimming is $12 a week for a lousy 30 mins in a huge group for 5 days...grrr.

nic

Again - we just paid $21 for 7 swimming lessons with the school and had to provide transport for the wee darlings too!!

Tanya

[pleccy2000]

Sarah Jane, may I suggest this web site:

http://www.zuji.com/zuji/home/0,1462,ZUJINZ,00.html

I did a quick search for you - 2 adults, 2 kids June (return) is coming to $6272

[Robert Dazzler]

By the way, what are really affordable and cheap in NZ as compared to England ? :?

Land/houses. UK £200,000.... Better house in NZ $350,000

Community charge/Rates UK £1,500......NZ $900

Water rates UK £400......NZ $180

TV licence UK £???? NZ $0

House/car Insurance .... All less in NZ

This country does take time to get used to, ........ I still haven`t got used to being able to buy steak cheaper than I can buy minced beef!


Bobby

[Robert Dazzler]

.

Then there are camps and trips etc, nothing is 'free' here swimming is $12 a week for a lousy 30 mins in a huge group for 5 days...grrr.

nic

Again - we just paid $21 for 7 swimming lessons with the school and had to provide transport for the wee darlings too!!

Tanya

Hasn`t your kids school got its own pool? Our lad swims everyday at school.

Bobby.

[Tanya]

Hasn`t your kids school got its own pool? Our lad swims everyday at school.

Bobby.

They used to but with the laws as to the water testing etc here, most of the schools have got rid of the pools (a Car park is in the place now apparently) It ended up just too expensive and once they had worked out how often you would be able to be in the pool after all the testing - they gave up.

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/

Tanya

[Robert Dazzler]

That`s a shame, never mind you do have that great QE2 pool in Christchurch.

[jan]

Sarah Jane,

Can you tell me where abouts in Auckland you live?

Are you over the bridge or south Auckland?

Thankyou

Jan xx

[Diny]

Thanks for that info Nic.

I don't mind having to pay for school books and equipment. Anything to do with our boys education is money well spent in our opinions.

Reports of the kids getting the mucky end of the stick if the parents don't 'cough up' is abit rough eh. Almost like emotional blackmail.

The school we have ear-marked for the boys has its own swimming pool which is a good thing. All these different activities soon add up don't they?

Diny

[Sunshine20]

Sarah Jane - I read your post and have a great deal of sympathy for you. The cost of living in Auckland comes to many migrants here as a very nasty shock. Your points are very true, and having lived in Auckland for nearly three years, I would have to advise that a family of four can not comfortably live on $72k regardless on what the gov is saying is the average Kiwi wage. If you are in the UK middle earners bracket you need to be looking upwards of $100k to be have a similiar standard of living. That is why you will find it very rare in Auckland to find single income families.

[Sarah Jane]

Sarah Jane,

Can you tell me where abouts in Auckland you live?

Are you over the bridge or south Auckland?

Hi Jan

I'm living over the bridge north of Auckland. About 20 miles up State Highway 1.
We did homework on crime etc before we came here and found higher crime rates in South Auckland and were also advised by people my husband was going to be working for that we should live North of Auckland as pretty much all of them do. We've driven through South Auckland but have to say we didn't like it as much there as in the north.

Sarah

[Sarah Jane]

Sarah Jane - I read your post and have a great deal of sympathy for you. The cost of living in Auckland comes to many migrants here as a very nasty shock. Your points are very true, and having lived in Auckland for nearly three years, I would have to advise that a family of four can not comfortably live on $72k regardless on what the gov is saying is the average Kiwi wage. If you are in the UK middle earners bracket you need to be looking upwards of $100k to be have a similiar standard of living. That is why you will find it very rare in Auckland to find single income families.

Yep the information we received was definately misleading. It's almost like you need a different pack of info if you plan on living in
Auckland. Since reading the replies to this thread it's clear that if we were living elsewhere then my husbands wage would be more than adequate.

One other warning to anyone planning on living in Auckland.....beware of Telecom. When we signed up for the line to be connected we though the rental seemed good, around $43 per month and that included free local calls. So there we were making phone calls from Orewa which is Auckland, to central Auckland (the whole of Auckland has 09 as it's area code), but when the bill came I had a pink fit. We had been charged 40c per minute for all our calls to Auckland. After querying with Telecom why we were charged when local calls were free we were informed that our local calls area was the 'Hibiscus Coast' which is a tiny area, even though it's still in Auckland. We have to pay for calls that are no more than about 7 miles from us. So 40c per minute for a call to someone 10 miles is a bit steep I think. It's a similar cost to calling a mobile in UK from a landline. So here we are now using an international phone card costing 5c per minute anywhere in NZ and 7c per minute to UK. I can phone my family at home for a fifth of the price that I can call someone 10 miles away using Telecom....make sense of that one! Although that's probably yet another downside to living in Auckland. The rest of New Zealand probably have much larger 'local call' radius'.

[Sarah Jane]

Sarah Jane, may I suggest this web site:

http://www.zuji.com/zuji/home/0,1462,ZUJINZ,00.html

I did a quick search for you - 2 adults, 2 kids June (return) is coming to $6272

Thanks I've bookmarked that site. I got a quote there for aroun $1900 per person (my kids are charged at adult rate unfortunately being 13 & 15), but that wouldn't be so bad but still going to take a long time to save that .....I'm going to have to start looking for a job!

[Gran]

Hi Sarah Jane,
I live on Hibiscus Coast too, what a shame telecom didnt put you right on how to get cheaper calls to Auckland. Although we have been bemoaning the problem here for a long time that South Auckland which is no nearer has free calls.
The way to go is to get "favourite place" calls, unlimited at $20, or for the same amount you can get another service, say "call minder" or use their message service bundled with 200 minutes of free calls to Auckland.

[funkstar deluxe]

Sarah, theres some fair points you've made but you cant expect to lead an identical lifestyle in a completely different country/culture and expect things to be the same. Like everywhere some things are cheaper, some are more expensive. Have you seen the price of mozerella :O

I cant believe you paid more than 3 grand for any car. What with car auctions and cheap sales I think you could of saved yourself tonnes of cash.

I can't speak for any of the kids stuff, and obviously they are your greatest expense.

As for the flights home, you only just got here, why not wait till next year. It'll give you more time to save aswell. You have to remember the you earn kiwi dollars now, not pounds, so the pounds comparison is irrelevant. Only thing that is, is the dollars coming in and the dollars going out.

It is unfortunate about the info. I would have said 72k is barely enough for a couple nevermind a larger family.

We live in Ponsonby. Have no car. Walk to work and into town. We go swimming in the harbour, its gorgeous. Theres always Pt Erin Pools or Olympic pool.

Although we have telecom, we use Kia Ora phone cards. Calling the UK is 7c a minute.

[Douglas]

I also find it quite hard to find sugar free fruit drinks here too, but that may just be me. :oops: I'm used to shopping on a budget, so I dont tend to buy 'named' brands, but then I never used to in England either. The biggest shock for me was (and still is) paying over $7 for a decent shampoo/conditioner.

Hi Wilson,

If you've not already found it, for a decent low sugar drink (1% fructose) you could try the Low Calorie version of Baker Halls Orange and Barley. It costs $3.89 in Pak n Save (or a bit less if you get it on special). It comes in 750 ml bottles and make 4.5 litres when diluted.

You'll often find the Warehouse has branded names of shampoo/conditioner much cheaper than any of the supermarkets.

[wilson182]

Thanks for the tips Douglas :nice1

[Carol]

I cant believe you paid more than 3 grand for any car. What with car auctions and cheap sales I think you could of saved yourself tonnes of cash.

.

I've never seen a single car I'd put my kids (safely) in - that was selling for less than around $9,000.

I guess us parents have different priorities.

[Aug & Feb]

Hi Sarah Jane,

Attached below is the reply I got from a friend (Kiwibird7) living in Chch for the last 20 years... :angel
=============================================

An income of $70,000 per year puts one among the top tax bracket in NZ to gripe about a $7000 used car (!997 model), child benefits, school fees, uniforms, bread, free doctors etc etc. Everyone knows that AUCKLAND is expensive, there are many other cities and towns to choose from in NZ.

There is NO SUCH thing as SCHOOL FEES in state run schools, they are known as 'donations' which are voluntary and you are NOT compelled to pay them. Furthermore, 33% of the donation amount is refunded from the IRD when you submit the receipt (includes charities as well).

Only private schools and Integrated schools (Catholic) collect fees known as attendance dues which must be paid. There is also the Board of Trustee 'donation' (voluntary contribution) here.

Primary School Children attending state schools do not wear school uniforms, only High school students. There is also the possibility of buying second hand uniforms (PTA sales) or opting for HOME SCHOOLING.

At $70,000 per year income, there is of course little child benefits. Only those only lower income and plenty of children (aged less than 18 yrs) are entitled to the FAMILY ASSISTANCE which tax credits (refunds) at almost $3000 per child for say a $25000 per year family income paying 19.5% tax (with one child).

Dental Treatment is FREE for children up to the age of 18. Those on low incomes (definitely not on $70,000 per year) carry the Community Service Cards for subsidised GP visits. Children up to the age of 6 are entitled to FREE GP visits.

Pity you are not living in the South Island, a loaf of bread from Coupland Bakeries (700g) goes for 99cents, sometimes Pak'N Save or Countdown Supermarket offers bread for 89cents per loaf. A box of 12 Cinnamon mini doughnuts in Christchurch costs $2+

And there is a whole range of kiddysnacks available at most supermarkets for school lunches that are healthier than the kitkats, single twixs etc like Healtheries Rice Wafers, Sanitarium Fruity Bix, Muesli Bars. Or better yet, make your own packed sandwiches (peanut butter/jam spread etc). There is a current preventive programme against child obesity in schools from snacking on too many sweet snack/junk foods.

Lack of Diet Drinks? You referring to Diet Coke, Diet Sprite? Saw them at the supermarkets.

Too Bad you chose to visit England in Summer (peak period) costing you $19,000 economy for 2 adults and 2 children. Latest advert at Flightcentre (ex Auckland to London) is NZ$1645 return economy as from today should the insatiable need to visit relatives back in England arise.

http://www.flightcentre.co.nz/flights/details.jsp?specialOid=529162

Seems to me that you really need to gather more information and get around more often and don't limit yourself to the confines of Auckland alone.

KiwiBird7

[Carol]

If you can direct me where to go for cheaper prices I shall be more than grateful as I'll do anything to get back to see everyone in Engand.....


I think this was all she needed - without the negative comments!

[Moorf]

I thought that even the negative comments were meant as nothing more than helpful and factual - it's fact that $72K in Auckland, Welly and Chch means a different lifestyle in each centre, and whether you have kids or not. You just have to look at the difference in house prices between each of the cities plus even groceries can be cheaper "down here". The ITA pack info on salaries is certainly misleading (imho) and those Kiwi's that live on $25-$30K are used to the lifestyle they are leading and it's miles apart from the average Brit lifestyle expectation.

[Carol]

I know for a fact that we couldnt live on that as a family.
(Even in an average part of Wellington).
This was the main reason I went back to work full time earlier than I wanted to after I had my daughter.

Kids do drain your money - we are always putting our hand in our pocket for something for school. I have spent approx $1000 since the term started on the three of them. (Two are at high school one at primary) and I havent even thought about a school donation yet for the primary level. That was just uniforms, shoes, books and swimming/trip fees.

I have a standing order going out for the boys at $60 per month just for their "donations".
My daughter's donation will be $150 per year plus an I.T. equipment donation of $30.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Moorf]

Those costs are unbelievable - although obviously these are costs we didn't need to look into when considering the move. We would definitely both need fulltime work if we had to pay for those sort of expenses on top of our living expenses :eek

$1000 since the beginning of term! Wow! And $60 PER MONTH! :?

[Aug & Feb]

Hi Carol,

What are your 3 kids' schools' decile ?

:?

[Carol]

Both 9.


The schools are woefully short of cash because they are such high decile.
They really do rely on the donations to even cover the basics.

[Carol]

Just as interest - this is the uniform costs for each of the boys' college uniform:

School shorts: $43 each. (Bought 4 - two for each boy)
School shirts : $41 each. (Bought 4 - two for each boy)
Sweatshirts: $34 each (Bought two for youngest son only as oldest's two year old ones are still reasonable)
School socks : (wait for it) $9 per pair. Bought 3 pairs each.
PE Shorts : $25 (x 2 pairs as new uniform and oldest needed his replaced)
PE Shirt : $35 (x 2 as above)
School shoes - black leather - so as to last as long as possible $120 per pair (x2)
Trainers (cheapest decent pairs we could find) $50 per pair (x 2)



Total: $918

Actually - at $1000 I think I've grossly underestimated - because their book bills alone were nearly $200.

[Wannaway]

Just thought I would throw my 2c worth in on this interesting thread.

Been in Auckland 4 months now and boy is the cost of living high here. I have to say its all very well saying "try living somewhere else in NZ other than Auckland" but, given that over a quarter of the population lives here, so a lot more of the jobs are in Auckland. I work in the accounting profession at a senior level and my salary is $110k per annum and we are stretched. We have no fancy lifestyle, don't smoke, don't drink really, no other expensive habits (eg watersports, going to the rugby, drgus, that sort of thing). Our main "extravagance"? My youngest goes to daycare 2.5 days a week to give my wife time to do the shopping, housework and other household chores that need to be done so that we can actually have a weekend. I've seen reports etc that Kiwis work some of the longest hours amongst developed countries and have come to the conclusion that most families must have to have both parents working and/or people are holding down more than one job just to get by. We are lucky in that we have a good deposit to put down on a home when we are ready, so cutting our living costs, but I do wonder how most families here cope. Just as well the beaches are free!

[Wannaway]

BTW, article in today's Herald says that Auckland is the 8th best city in the world to live in for quality of life etc, so its not all bad! :P (Predictably Zurich and Geneva took the top two places, followed by a couple of German cities).

Apparently Baghdad is the worst to live in, no surprise there.

[Carol]

Just had a soccer registration form put on the computer desk....


Another $50 each thanks mum.

Oh yes - Scouts - $60 each per 2 terms
Plus gymnastics after school - $125 each for Craig and Chloe per term.


No wonder I only buy "slashed even further" clothes for work...

[Sarah Jane]

I cant believe you paid more than 3 grand for any car. What with car auctions and cheap sales I think you could of saved yourself tonnes of cash.

.

I've never seen a single car I'd put my kids (safely) in - that was selling for less than around $9,000.

I guess us parents have different priorities.

And I agree with that being a parent of course. $7k was the most we could afford here without getting into loan deals on cars which we never had in the UK. We need to get better info across to people for sure and make them bring their own cars. We had a 2 year old Hyundai in UK...lost a fortune on the selling quick to a dealer before we left, as where we lived we needed our car to the last days....but then it could have gone into a 40ft container (we had a 20ft), for another £1500...it definately would have been worth doing and knowing what we know now we would have done.

[Sarah Jane]

Hi Sarah Jane,

Attached below is the reply I got from a friend (Kiwibird7) living in Chch for the last 20 years... :angel
=============================================

An income of $70,000 per year puts one among the top tax bracket in NZ to gripe about a $7000 used car (!997 model), child benefits, school fees, uniforms, bread, free doctors etc etc. Everyone knows that AUCKLAND is expensive, there are many other cities and towns to choose from in NZ.

There is NO SUCH thing as SCHOOL FEES in state run schools, they are known as 'donations' which are voluntary and you are NOT compelled to pay them. Furthermore, 33% of the donation amount is refunded from the IRD when you submit the receipt (includes charities as well).

Only private schools and Integrated schools (Catholic) collect fees known as attendance dues which must be paid. There is also the Board of Trustee 'donation' (voluntary contribution) here.

Primary School Children attending state schools do not wear school uniforms, only High school students. There is also the possibility of buying second hand uniforms (PTA sales) or opting for HOME SCHOOLING.

At $70,000 per year income, there is of course little child benefits. Only those only lower income and plenty of children (aged less than 18 yrs) are entitled to the FAMILY ASSISTANCE which tax credits (refunds) at almost $3000 per child for say a $25000 per year family income paying 19.5% tax (with one child).

Dental Treatment is FREE for children up to the age of 18. Those on low incomes (definitely not on $70,000 per year) carry the Community Service Cards for subsidised GP visits. Children up to the age of 6 are entitled to FREE GP visits.

Pity you are not living in the South Island, a loaf of bread from Coupland Bakeries (700g) goes for 99cents, sometimes Pak'N Save or Countdown Supermarket offers bread for 89cents per loaf. A box of 12 Cinnamon mini doughnuts in Christchurch costs $2+

And there is a whole range of kiddysnacks available at most supermarkets for school lunches that are healthier than the kitkats, single twixs etc like Healtheries Rice Wafers, Sanitarium Fruity Bix, Muesli Bars. Or better yet, make your own packed sandwiches (peanut butter/jam spread etc). There is a current preventive programme against child obesity in schools from snacking on too many sweet snack/junk foods.

Lack of Diet Drinks? You referring to Diet Coke, Diet Sprite? Saw them at the supermarkets.

Too Bad you chose to visit England in Summer (peak period) costing you $19,000 economy for 2 adults and 2 children. Latest advert at Flightcentre (ex Auckland to London) is NZ$1645 return economy as from today should the insatiable need to visit relatives back in England *****.

http://www.flightcentre.co.nz/flights/details.jsp?specialOid=529162

Seems to me that you really need to gather more information and get around more often and don't limit yourself to the confines of Auckland alone.

KiwiBird7

I'm sorry to disagree but the half of the school fees are compulsory.....there is a donation amount of $150 per child and as others have stated on here if you don't pay it then your kids will know about it, but you HAVE to pay for the school fees which mine have been almost $400. Also you can't send your kids to school with no books to write in....that cost another couple of hundred dollars.
As for the confines of Auckland...well the only reason we came here is that my husband was offered a job at the Herald in Auckland. We were not looking to emigrate...it was just that they are desperate for workers and advertising in the UK so my husband saw the advert as he was working at 'the mail on sunday' in London. We looked into it all and from the information we gathered by message boards etc we believed we'd have a decent living over here on a $70k wage. Now we're over here we've discovered that it's difficult to live on that wage. No-one told us about the school fees for a start....no-one told us about the price of the school uniform. You can't really get a grasp on how expensive it is to live in Auckland until you get here....only now am I getting people saying 'no you can't live on that money in Auckland when you have a family'.

As for limiting myself to the confines of Auckland...well you tell 'The New Zealand Herald' to move their offices elsewhere and we'll gladly move with them.

[kiwidollie]

Sounds like you're having a tough time adjusting to things over there Sarah Jane.

Keep your chin up aye - its bound to take some getting used to.

[Sarah Jane]

Just thought I would throw my 2c worth in on this interesting thread.

Been in Auckland 4 months now and boy is the cost of living high here. I have to say its all very well saying "try living somewhere else in NZ other than Auckland" but, given that over a quarter of the population lives here, so a lot more of the jobs are in Auckland. I work in the accounting profession at a senior level and my salary is $110k per annum and we are stretched. We have no fancy lifestyle, don't smoke, don't drink really, no other expensive habits (eg watersports, going to the rugby, drgus, that sort of thing). Our main "extravagance"? My youngest goes to daycare 2.5 days a week to give my wife time to do the shopping, housework and other household chores that need to be done so that we can actually have a weekend. I've seen reports etc that Kiwis work some of the longest hours amongst developed countries and have come to the conclusion that most families must have to have both parents working and/or people are holding down more than one job just to get by. We are lucky in that we have a good deposit to put down on a home when we are ready, so cutting our living costs, but I do wonder how most families here cope. Just as well the beaches are free!

Well great it's not just me being a moaner. If you're struggling in Auckland on $110k then it's not just in my imagination that we're struggling as a family of 4 on $71k. Yeah the beaches are free which is why we just go for picnics on them as we can't afford anything else (although we did live in Exmouth in UK which is a seaside town so the novelty of living by the beach has gone for us unlike lots of others who come from UK), although it's easy to find a beach where you are alone...not something you'll find in the UK...and that is something worth boasting about.

[Milliemoo]

I work in the accounting profession at a senior level and my salary is $110k per annum and we are stretched. We have no fancy lifestyle, don't smoke, don't drink really, no other expensive habits (eg watersports, going to the rugby, drgus, that sort of thing).

Really ?????? Do you have 4 kids and a $500k mortgage or something? :uhoh

I'm not being rude (hope I'm not coming across that way :oops: ) I just totally shocked that a $110k salary isn't enough to support a family in Auckland :eek

Can I ask a personal question :oops: If you didn't have mortgage repayments/rent to deduct, would that make a substancial difference to your monthly budget?

Feel free to tell me to pooh off and stop being so nosey.....I'm just getting a bit concerned here :(

Milliemoo ;)

[Moorf]

Whilst forums are great for asking questions and finding out answers and experiences from everyone, they aren't a substitute for doing your own research and I would have thought that you would have looked into such things as school fees and perhaps even contacted a few schools prior to moving? As for things such as car prices etc I mentioned places you can check costs etc in my original post. These aren't hard to find, simply typing in a relevant phrase in Google will give you fair whack of sites to browse.

Your story is very typical of others that have moved here so you're not alone in your situation and found that life isn't a bed of roses financially, and many people on this forum who have already made the move have expressed their opinion that it isn't cheap living.

It's sometimes not what people want to hear and they think they can cope, but as we all know, there are those who have been on this forum and haven't been happy and have gone back to their respective countries. Having seen people come and go I do see a real difference in attitudes between those that make it and those that don't.

I'm one of those who initially thought we'd have a better "standard of living" here and was a little shocked when we arrived... but we've changed our outlook on what a "better standard of living" means and have adjusted our activities, spending and lifestyle accordingly. I've taken a part time job (which wasn't on the agenda) to give us a little more spending money. Not everyone can do this, and with kids perhaps it's harder, but I would certainly say that, if your partner isn't earning a good salary (which I would put at $90k+ if you have a small mortgage) then both of you would need to work. All in my opinion and experience, it's very difficult to be generalistic for this topic as there is such a broad spectrum of people and situations involved.

[Sarah Jane]

Sounds like you're having a tough time adjusting to things over there Sarah Jane.

Keep your chin up aye - its bound to take some getting used to.

Not really a hard time adjusting ....more like harsh reality biting. We had all the dreams of a relatively similar life to UK because we read and heard about it from so many quarters. It was a shock when we got here to find the real price of things. As for the environment I love it....but it's like a situation in England as 'can I afford it?'. I would have loved to live in a little village in Devon but no way was it in my price range.... a bit like I feel here....I'd love to live in NZ but can't really afford it (well we are but only just and dread to think what will happen if our car dies cos we couldn't afford another (we bought our car from assets in UK which are dried up now).

[Aug & Feb]

Hi Sarah Jane,

KiwiBird7 from Christchurch just replied :angel
__________________________________________________ __________

I am shocked that you have to pay for textbooks, ALL standard TEXTBOOKS in state schools are FREE, unless of course special workbooks used to prepare high school students for the NCEA level exams.

I have been a Board of Trustee Member for both Primary School and High School in Christchurch, I don't know what subjects your children take. But most standard subjects use common excercise books namely the softcover 1B5, 1J5, 1B4 varieties etc which are sold very cheaply from January/Feb before school term starts especially at THE WAREHOUSE (usually heavily discounted). Even the hardcover varieties used for Science Lab reports don't cost $7, I believe it is between $2-3 only.

Schools that pressure the parents for donations to buy extra computers probably have Principals who lack creative ideas in fund raising and getting grants from LOTTO and supermarkets. It is a BIG NO NO for school staff to pick on the kid if the parent refuses to donate.

A letter to the ERO (Education Review Office) would put the principal and the school board of trustees in very serious trouble for harassment and psychological damage to a kid (tantamount to making the school an unsafe environment for the kid- contrary to the NEG{National Education guidelines} and NAG (National Achievement Guidelines) required under educational legislation monitored by ERO).

There is also the matter of the PRIVACY ACT (NZ law) where one is not suppose to divulge or make public any confidential information such as donations given or refused other then between the giver(parent) and the recipient(school principal acting on behalf of the school).

As for telephones, too bad for AUCKLAND but with TELSTRA as a competitor against blood sucker TELECOM, phone line rentals(Telstra) in Wellington and Christchurch are only $29.95 per month.

http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/products/voice/tsl-residential-services/

I may not have all the answers here being an immigrant myself albeit longer than your good self. I am trying hard to keep myself better informed everyday at all times because knowledge and being informed is essential in NZ.

<"I've seen reports etc that Kiwis work some of the longest hours amongst developed countries and have come to the conclusion that most families must have to have both parents working and/or people are holding down more than one job just to get by.">

PM Helen Clark's recent press statement calling for more women to enter the workforce seems to indicate a heck of a lot of housewives pushing prams around. And I do see plenty of women pushing prams around Christchurch and doing the shopping at supermarkets with their own children (I hear the word 'Mummy, mummy' being called many times). I myself am a retiree and I see this very often everyday.

The average wage in NZ is around $34000 a month, even a poorly paid high school teacher gets slightly above that amount and get by.

Methinks those who earn $110K and still find it tight may need some budgetting counselling. Maybe the expenditure in AUCKLAND doesn't make it worthwhile to work there at all. I've heard of many stories of ex Aucklanders coming to live in South Island and in Christchurch that is slowly driving up property prices.

To tell the truth, the South Islanders are pretty sick of the AUCKLANDERS making it expensive for the whole country. First we have to pay more petrol tax to solve their road problems. And we have to supply them electricity to those energy guzzlers from the Hydrolakes in the South Island which drives up electricity prices like crazy for everyone else, NO thanks to AUCKLAND!

KiwiBird7

[Moorf]

Ok, let's break it down somewhat, very approx, and based loosely on our personal expenses as a guideline:

200k mortgage - $1500
Rates - $100
Telephone Line Rental & Internet - $100
Petrol - $30 (just for commute x 2 cars)
House insurance - $40
Car Insurance (x2 cars) - $40
Contents Insurance - $50
Food - $1000 (excludes eating out and wine/beer)
Elec - $100 (average across year)
Firewood - $40 (averaged out across year - just spent $400 on wood for winter)

That's around $3000 a month before any additional expenses such as clothes, repairs, docs, dentists, kids school fees, kids uniforms, pet fees/expenses, entertainment, etc etc.

With a salary of $55k (c. 3500/mth take home after paying $13000 in tax*) $3000 will just about cover the main expenses as outlined but not the additional stuff.

* Up to $38k = 19.5% income tax
From $38k - $60k = 33%
$60k and over = 39%

(If you earn $50k, for instance, $38k is taxed at 19.5% and the rest at the higher rate of 33%.)

My part-time job brings in approx $800 a month, and this is purely spending money/entertainment etc, and without it we really would feel quite hard done by.

And considering we left the UK giving up an income of over £100k, new cars, lovely house, lots of holidays, designer this that and the other, then you can be sure we REALLY WANT TO BE HERE.. and take NZ salaries and costs for what they are... relatively expensive and alot less that we're used to BUT.. we love the place, money can't buy how we feel about being here!! :nice1

[Sarah Jane]

I know for a fact that we couldnt live on that as a family.
(Even in an average part of Wellington).
This was the main reason I went back to work full time earlier than I wanted to after I had my daughter.

Kids do drain your money - we are always putting our hand in our pocket for something for school. I have spent approx $1000 since the term started on the three of them. (Two are at high school one at primary) and I havent even thought about a school donation yet for the primary level. That was just uniforms, shoes, books and swimming/trip fees.

I have a standing order going out for the boys at $60 per month just for their "donations".
My daughter's donation will be $150 per year plus an I.T. equipment donation of $30.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

Although we get no help in bringing up the family i.e child benefit as in ther uk. It's only like a tax break but if everyone took the view 'I wont have kids cos I can't afford it' then where would the country be.....especially as New Zealanders clearly leave the country to earn better money elsewhere in the world which is why they have a skills shortage. The newspaper 'the new zealand herald' is typical of this. Only in the last couple of weeks people have left for better money abroad and yet again they are advertising for workers abroad. In fact since my husband has been working there 2 people have started new (both from UK), and 6 people have left...for better money. They are so desperate theyve even asked the people from UK about the easiest way to get people in. I actually would not advise any of my husbands ex workmates to go for a job here because they have a better living where they are.

[Sarah Jane]

Hi Sarah Jane,

KiwiBird7 from Christchurch just replied :angel
__________________________________________________ __________





To tell the truth, the South Islanders are pretty sick of the AUCKLANDERS making it expensive for the whole country. First we have to pay more petrol tax to solve their road problems. And we have to supply them electricity to those energy guzzlers from the Hydrolakes in the South Island which drives up electricity prices like crazy for everyone else, NO thanks to AUCKLAND!

KiwiBird7

Maybe you should direct your anger at the businesses. We AUCKLANDERS don't want to be here any more thatn you South Islanders want us...it's just where the work is. If the businesses moved out a little rather than sticking to Auckland then we'd all be happy. After all people live where the work is....unfortunatley a quarter of the work in New Zealand is based in Auckland. What do you think us AUCKLANDERS should do....live in Wellington and travel to Auckland every day?

[Sarah Jane]

Ok, let's break it down somewhat, very approx, and based loosely on our personal expenses as a guideline:

200k mortgage - $1500
Rates - $100
Telephone Line Rental & Internet - $100
Petrol - $30 (just for commute x 2 cars)
House insurance - $40
Car Insurance (x2 cars) - $40
Contents Insurance - $50
Food - $1000 (excludes eating out and wine/beer)
Elec - $100 (average across year)
Firewood - $40 (averaged out across year - just spent $400 on wood for winter)

That's around $3000 a month before any additional expenses such as clothes, repairs, docs, dentists, kids school fees, kids uniforms, pet fees/expenses, entertainment, etc etc.

With a salary of $55k (c. 3500/mth take home after paying $13000 in tax*) $3000 will just about cover the main expenses as outlined but not the additional stuff.


BUT.. we love the place, money can't buy how we feel about being here!! :nice1

What I'd like to know Moorf is what exactly you love. I see as a lot is better but weighing u everything I can't say there is a lot. After all I've swapped Exmouth with Auckland. Same wages but is Auckland giving me that much more. I've come from living in a house 2 minutes walk from the beach. I'm living about the same distance here although there are less people on the beach. I lived in a low crime area of England too. Yes it's probably lower here according to what I read before I arrived but I don't know that for sure and accordingly I still live as if I'm in UK.
Ok anyone might say don't live in Auckland but a job is what brought us here.....and that is in Auckland. If he could do the job elsewhere he would.

So please tell me what exactly you're loving cos I might be missing something (as I did before coming here)

[Moorf]

We too came from a lovely area of the UK - Perthshire in Scotland. We lived in very rural, 12 house village and had a lovely location and house. We loved it there but we wanted to travel more, see more of the world, experience more and try a new life outside of a Britain/Europe that we felt was falling apart at the seams. Even Dunfermline and Kinross the nearest towns were slowly devouring the surrounding countryside, even our little village suddenly had developers putting in plans to build mock-tudor developments that would have been an eyesore and would spoil the countryside surrounding us.

So we decided to move to NZ for its beauty, it's laid back attitude, it's wide open spaces, it's easy accessability to the mountains, forest, lakes, beaches. It's outdoor lifestyle. We'd done the "career" thing, run our own businesses and, yes even though we're only 36/37, we wanted to kick back, have a life outside of work and NZ seemed the place to do it (English speaking, good climate, work opportunities for Woz).

We haven't been disappointed - in fact we are champing at the bit to get back out into the countryside here after spending months house-hunting and all that other boringly necessary "life" stuff.. we want to remain eternal tourists and see all that NZ has to offer.

We love the people here - their honesty, community and friendliness. I love the fact that I can go out onto the beach and be truly on my own. I love that I can drive 1.5 hours of out Chch and be on the slopes of Mount Hutt. I love that I can drive 3 hrs to the West Coast (although haven't done that yet!). I love that I can roam around the countryside with my dog and camera and not worry about my safety.

I dunno .. I just love it!

We have traded off our incomes and designer gear for... a life! A life where we feel alive and are not surgically attached to our PC's (she says at 1.15am on her PC!!) :laugh

Moorf

[kiwidollie]

Well put Moorf.

I have to say I LOVE your attitude!

My family and I can't wait to make the move for all the reasons you have listed.

One thing we cottoned onto straight away is that we will not be as financially well off as we are here. Guess what? We really don't care.

We want a simpler more peaceful life without all the CR@P that is supposedly part of the modern life.

Surely people have to take into account that when they move to another country, on the other side of the world, it is them that are going to have to adapt to their new country, not the other way round.......

[Sarah Jane]

I agree with what you said there Moorf.....the peace & tranquility of life you don't find in UK and thats the thing thats keeping us here at the moment. The ducks and ducklings climbing over my legs on our picnic yesterday was something else...you certainly don't get that in England.
Now whether we'll get tired of the tight finances and weigh that up with the positives of NZ who knows. At the moment we're living day to day through the finances as best as we can and waiting to see what 'tomorrow brings'. I think our biggest goal will be to move away from Auckland if possible.....take that on board anyone reading this who's planning on emigrating to Auckland!

[Sarah Jane]

Well put Moorf.

I have to say I LOVE your attitude!

My family and I can't wait to make the move for all the reasons you have listed.

One thing we cottoned onto straight away is that we will not be as financially well off as we are here. Guess what? We really don't care.

We want a simpler more peaceful life without all the CR@P that is supposedly part of the modern life.

Surely people have to take into account that when they move to another country, on the other side of the world, it is them that are going to have to adapt to their new country, not the other way round.......

Just make sure you CAN survive before you come. Accept being skint but be realistic in what you as a family need to survive and then check out whether you can afford it over here. And if you have kids ( I don't know if you do) then they come with their own problems too. It's cost us extra to make our kids feel 'at home' ie sim cards for their phones, the odd takeaways that we took for granted on our expanded wages in UK.

[Moorf]

Yes Sarah, it's a delicate juggling of lifestyle versus finances and from what I am hearing, more and more these days, Auckland makes that more of a tightrope walk than a juggle.

It's got to be hard enjoying scenery and long drives when you are constantly worrying about the household finances and if you can actually afford the petrol you are using to go sight-seeing.

[Sarah Jane]

Yep the affording the petrol is another one I watch. We do take the odd trip out north to Warkworth and my eye is always on the fuel guide in the car cos I'm aware how minimal our finances are....how sad is that! I think being a book-keeper does me no favours as I analyse every penny spent

My 15 year old daughter came home yesterday with broken sandals. She needed either new sandals or a note to say why she didn't have new sandals. I wrote her a note for today explaining that I couldn't afford new sandals immediately. Then I went out and bought superglue. Those leather sandals cost $25....were bought for the beginning of the school term which was 6 weeks ago and they should have lasted longer than 6 weeks. I've now glued the strap back in place and as far as I'm concerned they'll be glued from now on until winter....and then she can start wearing the black leather shoes I bought.

[kiwidollie]

I hear you Sarah Jane.

I've got two kids aged 16 and 11.

We've had many long discussions with them about the realities of moving to New Zealand. We've done our best to emphasise to them that living there permanently will be nothing like the three week holiday we had last year where we were spending NZ$ bought with UK£.

They are both sensible kids and do seem to realise the different lives we are aiming for.

Only time will tell how things go for us, but this is something we really want to do and have wanted for a long time. I think that makes a difference.

Can I ask where abouts in Auckland you currently live? and are you renting?

I'll understand if you think I'm being nosey but my husband's job offer is in South Auckland, Takanini to be precise and I do want to find out everything I possibly can.

Cheers

[Hannah]

Really useful thread everyone, thanks for sharing this with us all.

Sarah Jane, out of interest can i ask where in Northants you used to live (I live in Wellingborough)

Hannah