[Richnat]

Hi all,

Nat and I are new to the forum and this is our first real question to Yee of Great Wisdoms. I've searched the forums and have seen some horror stories of people running out of dosh and other stories of people who came over with reserves and it all worked out ok.

Our ultimate aim is to get about 5 acres in Southland with the aim of being self-sufficient in food (at least). Being in IT, I would very much like to be able to work from home so we can all spend more time together. We don't have anyone with appropriate experience to ask, and you can only glean so much info from statistics and spreadsheets.

So the big question: when is enough, enough? I'm going to break the taboo and name a figure: we will have our life savings of about $NZ 500k in total - if we cash in everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) but this would be spent on the move, on rental accomodation initially, on the eventual farmlet purchase, for slush funds, and for feeding, clothing and warming(!) us until money starts to flow in. We are not willing to take a mortgage (that seems to be the killer for any budget) and our needs really are simple.

I know that amount is much more than some take and much less than others have available but we don't want to be completely naieve about this. So, in the opinions of those here who have made the jump (esp. KatAndBob) are we being sensible given what we aim to achieve or is this no where near enough to stand a hope in hell of working out?

Sorry if this is a numpty question, but we are looking for some reassurance from those in the know before we take the plunge...

Thanks for your time everyone and thanks for letting us be part of a great community forum!

Rich and Nat

[Richnat]

Hi all,

well, we're taking the plunge. I've got a flight booked for 3 Jan to Christchurch and will undoubtedly have a long list of things to check out while poor Nat stays in Germany and looks after El and Robyn. That is going to be hard - leaving them for 3 weeks is going to be a pox :(

But, on the other hand, at last things are moving forward :)

Cheers

Rich and Nat

[tigerlily]

I just wanted to say welcome. Sorry, I'm not there to give you much advice. It sounds like a wonderful adventure to me! Things that spring to mind are...
what sort of IT work do you do? I've seen short contract work, if finding someone to let you telecommute turns out to be hard. Getting good internet access in a very remote area might be expensive.

Have you looked at places like Trademe and OpentoView to find houses/farms you are interested in and seen their costs?

Best of luck to you and your family

[Richnat]

Hi Tigerlilly,

I'm been doing Java/JSP/Web apps and C++ with banks here in Frankfurt for the last 6 years and will have a MSc Computer Science by the end of the year (gotta love resarch or you'd go nuts :D ) I understand that app development skills are quite sought after in Ch (Yay!).

Thanks for the advice about the different homesites etc. We have been looking and we have done some sums and come to the conclusion that it could go either way. I mean, if we found a property like KatAndBob we would probably be sorted. For us though, I think we wanted to get some reassurance that we weren't being naievely optimistic with our funds. We're copping a lot of flak here at the moment, and sometimes our enthusiasm and certainty crumbles around the edges.

BTW, if someone writes "No worries, that's plenty" and it all goes pear-shaped anyway, we are not going to kick up a stink and blame them or somesuch nonsense. We are simply posing an honest question...

Cheers

Rich and Nat

[Avalon]

So the big question: when is enough, enough? I'm going to break the taboo and name a figure: we will have our life savings of about $NZ 500k in total - if we cash in everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) but this would be spent on the move, on rental accomodation initially, on the eventual farmlet purchase, for slush funds, and for feeding, clothing and warming(!) us until money starts to flow in. We are not willing to take a mortgage (that seems to be the killer for any budget) and our needs really are simple.

Cor - i need an "Im not worthy" smiley for that kinda money :D

Sounds good to me! Especially for life in southland - as I understand land and housing is much cheaper (sorry if thast not the case - but I havent kept my eye on it). A slush fund is defianltly a good idea. The general recommendation is for at least 3-6 months salary in Cash in the bank. (ive got just over 1 month so far - but I add to that each month with $175 - its slow - but hey - ive never had any slush fund before!).

Working from home: My oh does this at least 1 day a week if at all possible - it cuts down on travel costs and time. Do check in any interviews if this is possible, as we have found NZ to be much less flexible with working practices - but it differs between companies. Also, we are now looking at the possibilty of OH trying to cut hours down to 4 days anyway. At the moment he fits his hours into 9 days a fortnight and takes every other friday off. Again - cuts costs and gives him more down time (which I figure is something you would find useful with 5 acres to look after).

I have to say on the whole, if you have 500k behind you - you could be looking very comfy - but do consider carefully what salary you need to give you the lifestyle you do want. My outgoings are quite high - but then I have a fairly big mortgage and a real coffee habit! Mortgage costs me 2300 a month - if I didnt have that (and if I had $500k behind me - I wouldnt have it) life would be truly sweet!

Im rambling now - do say if that doesnt cover the question.

[Avalon]

We're copping a lot of flak here at the moment, and sometimes our enthusiasm and certainty crumbles around the edges.

Why are people giving you flak??? Just in general because you are planning to emigrate or over the money side? Im sorry to hear that in any case.

[pieeater]

Yes,who's giving you flak and why? You sound like you are pretty much in a similar position to us when we came.We knew we wouldn't be able to have a mortgage as our jobs would be fairly poorly paid down here esp. in Northland so we had to buy a property outright.It was a dunger but with eight acres it was cheap enough and had lots of potential.I'd say try and get somthing for 300,000 max that doesn't need much doing and you'll be sweet.

[Richnat]

@Avalon
Thanks for your comments - you answered our question exactly :) And a "I'm not worthy" smiley is not required! In fact it is the people who go really out on a limb and pull off a new life that deserve kudos. Nat and I are perhaps being over-cautious especially moving with two little'uns.

@pieeater
The flak isn't so much about the money (esp. since this forum now knows more about our finances than anyone else :o ) but more the principle of moving internationally. I doubt we get any more pressure than anyone else did (and indeed some friends are very encouraging) but for some reason even one person saying "You're mad! What about the kids? What about their contacts with family. How can you do that to Oma?" carries more weight than five people saying "Cool go for it, can I come visit?". However, it gives a lot of confidence knowng that our reserves really should be enough and that we aren't deluding ourselves.

All that remains is the recce in January to confirm that NZ is the place for us :)

Cheers and thanks a heap for your replies. They do mean a lot to us!

Rich and Nat

[marcia]

I think you are really sensible to do a reccy trip - we did one last Jan to confirm what were 99% sure of - but I had reservations about moving 3 young boys to the other side of the world where I'd never even been - it just helped us realise we were doing the right thing!

It is difficult, but try not to think of yourselves as been on holiday - go and do the boring - 'what would a weekly shopping trip cost us' - in the supermarkets - even if you don't actually buy the stuff, price it up to see how much you would be spending, and visit electrical stores to see how much white goods cost, especially if you are not taking your own. Have a look at car lots to see what prices are like. Kev even went to a couple of agencies whilst we were there to chat about work in particular areas, and he had his interview with the council which resulted in his job offer.

The hardest part of us leaving is my parents, my boys are their only grandchildren, my sister isn't likely to have any kids, and I'm taking them away. Kev's mum at least has two grand daughters still in the uk. But you have to think of your own little family unit and whats best for you - it may seem cruel to say it but our parents have lived their lives the way they wanted now its our turn. :o (But it still will be flippin difficult to do it! :wah )

And remember you get a whole new family when you join this forum!! :laugh

Remember the world is a smaller place these days, the internet, web cams skype, make it easy to keep in touch, and you are only ever 24 hours away!!!

Good luck and have a great reccy trip! :)

[Richnat]

You're right Marcia with the tips about doing the "boring" stuff. I suspect Nat is already working on her checklist/dummy shopping lists to add to my list of ToDo's. I will be putting out feelers to the agencies before I go so I think it will be a busy 3 weeks.

but I had reservations about moving 3 young boys to the other side of the world where I'd never even been
One of the nice things about NZ for us is that Nat and I first met at Lake Taupo back in 1989 and we absolutely loved it (and each other too but that's another story :) ) A lot can change in a country over 17 years (wow that long!) so a reunion with NZ before we move is, as you said, a good idea.

And remember you get a whole new family when you join this forum!!
Indeed! You mobs have been brilliant :cheers

Cheers

Rich and Nat

[Avalon]

One of the nice things about NZ for us is that Nat and I first met at Lake Taupo back in 1989 and we absolutely loved it (and each other too but that's another story :) )

Awwwwww! :) Thats so sweet! :)

[Richnat]

...aint't it just :p

"Still crazy (for each other) after all these years..."

[apologies to Paul Simon]

[katandbob]

Hi all,

Our ultimate aim is to get about 5 acres in Southland with the aim of being self-sufficient in food (at least). 1 -Being in IT, I would very much like to be able to work from home so we can all spend more time together. We don't have anyone with appropriate experience to ask, and you can only glean so much info from statistics and spreadsheets.

So the big question: when is enough, enough? I'm going to break the taboo and name a figure: we will have our life savings of 2 -about $NZ 500k in total - if we cash in everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) but this would be spent on the move, on rental accomodation initially, on the eventual farmlet purchase, for slush funds, and for feeding, clothing and warming(!) us until money starts to flow in. We are not willing to take a mortgage (that seems to be the killer for any budget) and our needs really are simple.

I know that amount is much more than some take and much less than others have available but we don't want to be completely naieve about this. So, in the opinions of those here who have made the jump 3-(esp. KatAndBob) are we being sensible given what we aim to achieve or is this no where near enough to stand a hope in hell of working out?

Sorry if this is a numpty question, but we are looking for some reassurance from those in the know before we take the plunge...

Thanks for your time everyone and thanks for letting us be part of a great community forum!

Rich and Nat


Originally Posted by Richnat
One of the nice things about NZ for us is that Nat and I first met at Lake Taupo back in 1989 and we absolutely loved it (and each other too but that's another story )

*************Hi sorry for not replying till now, I have been too busy to get on the laptop! to answer your questions here goes (my opinion only)
No 1 - This is the most important one for you...............INTERNET IN NZ IS PANTS! I have woosh - My kids have moaned like heck since arriving here, in town its ok to a degree, at least we could video conference on skype or msn etc, on woosh its absoloute DO DO :mad: so working in IT you will have to pick the area you live in carefully....its all to do with how far you are from a terminal and we are 20 yards out for broadband over the phoneline!

NO 2 WOW wish we'd had that much....and yes you could get a nice place for maybe 2 thirds and then leave the rest as a cushion, IMHO I wish we had been able to take time off work to settle in properly - we dont have time to do what we need to do at home as we are both at work full time.

check out the links I sent you in PM for sections and farmlets, they say that you need to have more than 10 acres to make a profit on land, and I have had sheep for a week now and they have got out every day :( and I am renting the field at a dollar a head a week! should have said more for all the trouble they cause and they are noisy and so are the Cocks...living in the sticks is as noisy as town - just different sounds :laugh

I have a big green house but not the time to sort it out! but ho hum... I am surviving on 6 hrs sleep so maybe if I make it 5 I could dig it before dawn (insert laughing smilie)

NO 3 as I said before, With the lousy internet and all my chores/ sheep herding I havent had a chance to get on here before and thats why I didnt reply earlier.

Good luck ....PS we went to Taupo I loved it too! :D



Kat (bobs already in bed!)

Night from the deep ( & sunny all week!) South ( PS I live 10K from Bluff!)

[Avalon]

No 1 - This is the most important one for you...............INTERNET IN NZ IS PANTS! I have woosh - My kids have moaned like heck since arriving here, in town its ok to a degree, at least we could video conference on skype or msn etc, on woosh its absoloute DO DO :mad: so working in IT you will have to pick the area you live in carefully....its all to do with how far you are from a terminal and we are 20 yards out for broadband over the phoneline!

Kat,

Not sure if its relevant for you (and it sure aint cheap) but we got radio broadband installed to get round this (we are about 1/2 mile from the telecom link so they woudlnt speak to us). Now we have a snazzy radio mast in the paddock and a very fast link :raebanana It was quite nesessary as OH works from home sometimes (and of course can you imagine trying to post to this site all day with dial up :laugh ).

Got it through Orcon (was wisenet).

Just a thought

[Smiler]

Kat,

Not sure if its relevant for you (and it sure aint cheap) but we got radio broadband installed to get round this (we are about 1/2 mile from the telecom link so they woudlnt speak to us). Now we have a snazzy radio mast in the paddock and a very fast link :raebanana It was quite nesessary as OH works from home sometimes (and of course can you imagine trying to post to this site all day with dial up :laugh ).

Got it through Orcon (was wisenet).

Just a thought

S'ok I did mention it before :D

[Avalon]

Great minds think alike then!