[Redbone]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this post should go here but here goes!

My OH and I are looking to move to NZ. We don't own a home--we've been renters all these years. My question is how much money should we try to save/have to make our move to NZ since we don't have money from a home sale to use? I'm trying to get a ballpark figure for it. We have six people in our family--2 adults; 4 kids.

I know we need money for airfare, shipping household goods, food, housing (some of these costs are 'bridge costs'--funds needed until the first paycheck rolls in), etc., but I know there are hidden things I'm not looking at, too. Thanks for the help.

[victoria24]

hi
where about in nz are you looking to settle. what do you both do for a living and do you plan on making the move with or without a job offer?

[Redbone]

hi
where about in nz are you looking to settle. what do you both do for a living and do you plan on making the move with or without a job offer?

Definitely only with a job offer! My husband is a professional driver--I believe it's called a heavy truck there? As for me, I'm going back to school to become a dietician.

We think we'd like to settle in either the far North (I'm used to very warm weather--it's 88 F here or 31 C and it doesn't bother me a bit). I heard BOP is nice. Also Nelson is a possibility.

[BkyMonster]

We did have a home sale but didn't get a whole lot for it. I'd estimate overall we spent close to US 15k or so getting over here for 2 people and 2 dogs (overall about the cost of flights for 2-3 additional people). This is inclusive of NZIS fees, tickets, shipping of 1 cubic meter of our stuff, dog shipping, vet fees and quarantine, and a bit of initial set up costs.
We also spent some on travel around to see what area we liked, though domestic flights aren't too expensive.
These costs were spread out from March to October(EOI submission to arrival and job offer in NZ) and possibly a bit beyond.
We spent under $1000 NZD setting up a new house with furniture and appliances (with a few exceptions, including new items, certainly under 2k NZD) but I think that is probably unusual as nearly all of our stuff was second hand, and a lot of it IMO very underpriced.

[dusk]

as much as you can possibly scrape together :)

I suggest you do a bit of research on the forums to get ideas about average costs for flights, shipping, first couple of months accomodation, car hire/purchase, immigration fees (including medicals, police checks, sourcing original documents and NZQA if required)

you should defintiely make some kind of list/spreadsheet for everything as this will help a great deal - it really doe pay to be super-organised.

One other thing - even in BOP/Northlands you're not going to get those temps, although you should be prepapred for soem humidity in some areas, again a little research on the forums or NZ weather services will give you some idea of what to expect :)

good luck :D

[L00pback]

Hi

We've spent around £10k on things to do with our move and we've still got to pay for the visa charges. It can be done a lot cheaper but we opted for the help of a consultancy company to ensure we got max chance of making a successful move.

Basically it doesn't matter how much you save, there is always someone willing to take it off you!

Cheers

Alan

[CJ22]

Costs to look at:

NZIS Fees
Medical Fees
Flights
Pet shipping
Pet Quarantine Costs
Household Goods Shipping
Covering the gaps in employment

[Redbone]

One other thing - even in BOP/Northlands you're not going to get those temps, although you should be prepapred for soem humidity in some areas, again a little research on the forums or NZ weather services will give you some idea of what to expect :)

good luck :D

A pity! ;)

I am sure I can get used to it. I'd better--I'd look a bit odd in a sweater and jacket when it's 'only' 16 (yes, that's cold to me). My OH will love it--he's from NY and hates the climate here--too hot and too humid here for him (I think our climate is about the same as Brisbane). It will be nice not to have to prepare for hurricane season each year, though.

Thanks!

[Redbone]

Costs to look at:

NZIS Fees
Medical Fees
Flights
Pet shipping
Pet Quarantine Costs
Household Goods Shipping
Covering the gaps in employment

Thank you for the list! I've got one going similar to this...didn't think about the pet quarantine costs.

[L00pback]

Add to the list

Police Reports.
Insurances

Cheers
Alan

[KerryS]

Are you planning to train as a dietician once you arrive in NZ? If so, the only University that offers this is in Dunedin.
I'm currently doing a 3 year degree at Massey (extra-murally), and will then have to take a one year post-grad course from University of Otago to qualify as a dietician rather than just a nutritionist.
If you qualify whilst overseas there are special rules for registration with the dietician board.

[BkyMonster]

If you are bringing pets from the US you'll want to factor pre shipping vet costs as well. For dogs this was around 600-1k each for the blood work (spread out over 6+ months), less for cats.

[sweetpea]

Add to the list:

Money for an emergency trip to the States if, God forbid, a family member back home gets seriously ill or dies.

[CJ22]

Oh yeah, shipping insurance can be pricey. Also, holiday insurance until you're renting permanently.

Also, you'll probably need more money all round - you'll want to see a few things before you leave, visit relatives etc. Then when you get here, you'll want to look around and have a bit of a vacation!

[Toonster]

Oh yeah, shipping insurance can be pricey.

Oh *yes* As a rough idea, we have been quoted 3 and 5% (two different companies) of the total value of our goods - even on a quick finger in the wind on what we own, this is going to double the cost of shipping...

[CJ22]

I think we paid about 400 quid for 20 grand's worth of cover. We were under-insured for the actual value of our goods (the replacement value of my book collection was worth that almost alone), but we figured near enough. That doesn't add too much to the 2500 we paid for shipping!

[Toonster]

My shipping quotes have been £850 and £950 for a half crate - I'm trying to work out how much of the really expensive stuff I can just take on the plane with me and avoid the worst of the shipping insurance (do you think they'd let me wear all of my jewellery and my wedding dress? ;-) )

[IanW99]

Oh *yes* As a rough idea, we have been quoted 3 and 5% (two different companies) of the total value of our goods - even on a quick finger in the wind on what we own, this is going to double the cost of shipping...

Have you tried companies such as Letton Percival?

Other forum members have used them and their rates are IIRC significantly lower than 3%

Ian

[Kanga]

I second Letton Percival- used them and saved a packet. My mum used them and had to make claims and had no problems too.

[Toonster]

Oooh - thanks - great tip! :nice1 I hadn't even considered using a third party for insurance.

[Redbone]

Are you planning to train as a dietician once you arrive in NZ? If so, the only University that offers this is in Dunedin.
I'm currently doing a 3 year degree at Massey (extra-murally), and will then have to take a one year post-grad course from University of Otago to qualify as a dietician rather than just a nutritionist.
If you qualify whilst overseas there are special rules for registration with the dietician board.

No, I'm enrolled at Eastern Michigan University in the States. They offer a 4-yr/bachelor degree in dietetics. It's online, so I'll have to arrange my internship locally--shouldn't be a problem.

[benandclare]

We moved 21 months ago from UK with house sale to one job, Clare's and we reckon it was around £15,000 by the time Sam joined us 9 months later.

We had 2 weeks break here till Clare started work and I started part time work a week later :nice1