jdbob
3rd March 2006, 05:33 PM
I'm heading down to NZ later this month for my second trip. Last November I went down for 15 days to try to get a general idea of the country. I spent time in Tauranga, Taupo, Hastings, Wellington, Blenheim, Kaikoura, and Christchurch. I'm used to dry sunny weather so that's maybe why I felt that I might like the Blenheim area, or maybe it's because of all the wineries :cheers
On this trip I will be spending 10 days in Blenheim and just a couple of days each in Wellington and Masterton. I'll also go over to Nelson on the 25th for the model railway show. This time around I'm hoping to meet some more Kiwis and have made some contacts who are into railways. Might try some geocaching, and it turns out I can use my ham radio license in NZ.
I'm not yet sold on NZ so this is my real decision trip. I'm truly scared about the direction the U.S. is going and it seems prudent to escape if possible. Although NZ may seem a bit "rustic", I prefer rural living, although I would probably have to leave the two miniature horses I've had for the last 13 years behind due to the high cost of transportation.
Unlike most of people on here I'm single and emmigration is more than I think I can handle unless I have some help at the other end of the journey. So, strange as this may seem, finding a spouse in NZ is probably a requirement. Not only for the emotional support, but because it seems the only plausible way to get residency, as crass as that may seem. I have Aspergers Syndrome (a mild form of autism) and human interaction doesn't come easy for me, so that's an extra challenge.
Let's face it, NZIS really wants young high income earners who will "contribute" lots of money to the government in taxes before they start costing the government money. In my case I'm 49 and work enough to support myself fairly comfortably in the low cost of living area that I'm in, but no more. I have my own company doing software development for a company in Massachusetts and would continue to do so even from NZ, all I need is an internet connection.
I wouldn't be filling some open job and even though I have my own company, I wouldn't be providing employment for anyone other than myself. While NZ would get some tax revenue from me, it's not going to be a huge amount. And then there are the medical issues. In summer of 2004 I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer and had a couple of operations in Germany (better care at 1/3 the price of the U.S.). I know from looking at the forms that they take a very dim view of people who might need medical care in the near future. By the time I get to August of this year the chances of a relapse are pretty low (a few percent) but this might not be enough for NZIS.
Sounds pretty grim, but there is always hope. Any suggestions are welcome.
On this trip I will be spending 10 days in Blenheim and just a couple of days each in Wellington and Masterton. I'll also go over to Nelson on the 25th for the model railway show. This time around I'm hoping to meet some more Kiwis and have made some contacts who are into railways. Might try some geocaching, and it turns out I can use my ham radio license in NZ.
I'm not yet sold on NZ so this is my real decision trip. I'm truly scared about the direction the U.S. is going and it seems prudent to escape if possible. Although NZ may seem a bit "rustic", I prefer rural living, although I would probably have to leave the two miniature horses I've had for the last 13 years behind due to the high cost of transportation.
Unlike most of people on here I'm single and emmigration is more than I think I can handle unless I have some help at the other end of the journey. So, strange as this may seem, finding a spouse in NZ is probably a requirement. Not only for the emotional support, but because it seems the only plausible way to get residency, as crass as that may seem. I have Aspergers Syndrome (a mild form of autism) and human interaction doesn't come easy for me, so that's an extra challenge.
Let's face it, NZIS really wants young high income earners who will "contribute" lots of money to the government in taxes before they start costing the government money. In my case I'm 49 and work enough to support myself fairly comfortably in the low cost of living area that I'm in, but no more. I have my own company doing software development for a company in Massachusetts and would continue to do so even from NZ, all I need is an internet connection.
I wouldn't be filling some open job and even though I have my own company, I wouldn't be providing employment for anyone other than myself. While NZ would get some tax revenue from me, it's not going to be a huge amount. And then there are the medical issues. In summer of 2004 I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer and had a couple of operations in Germany (better care at 1/3 the price of the U.S.). I know from looking at the forms that they take a very dim view of people who might need medical care in the near future. By the time I get to August of this year the chances of a relapse are pretty low (a few percent) but this might not be enough for NZIS.
Sounds pretty grim, but there is always hope. Any suggestions are welcome.