Rental question in regards pricing, averages with work visa

flasponge

Hello,
First off let me say this board is quite a godsend as it is the first I have found with this much clarity and members dedicated to immigration discussions.
Also, if there are any programmers/architects that are in a similar position as I or have been please email or IM me. (flasponge1@yahoo.com or flasponge@hotmail.com) I would greatly appreciate the specific perceptive as related to the IT industry in the North Island.

My name is Jason Doyle, and I am a computer programmer with over 8 years experience as well as a 4 year college degree. I have been researching New Zealand as a possible destination to work and raise my kids for quite some time. Based on what I’ve seen and the intricacies involved in the NZIS in regards to gaining residency, I am foregoing that to instead get a work visa then permit.

From what I understand, a work visa is an endorsement I get on my passport that lets me search for and be qualified for work. Hence should I get a work visa prior to going to New Zealand with my family? To give a little background, I plan on 1st visiting NZ in June 04, then later in Sep ’04 moving the family. My main concern is when do I fit in the Visa/Permits…do I get a Work Visa during my visit or after? Does the Work Visa become a permit after actually getting a job?
I understand that many employers want you to be in NZ before they will even consider you and may also require that you already have a work visa….but if I cant obtain a Work Visa without a job…..then what do I do?

So with all this confusion, I have come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to have enough cash, so that I can go there, without a job and just have the ample cash support for my initial housing/transporation ect, plus if thingsd go bad in NZ have enough $ to get back to the states (god I hope not).

And that leads to another question….can I rent a home if I do not yet have a job? If I can what penalties do I incur because I am not a resident? I would prefer to not move my kids around twice, hence I would like to find a nice residence close to my expected destination.

As for the cash coffers, I am estimating at this point that I will need 50K liquid cash assets to deal with the move which includes contingency? (4 family members) From what Ive seen, home’s are incredibly expensive to rent in the North island, especially in NZ. Im seeing an average of NZ3600.00 (2700 USD, bloody 32K to rent a house for a year?)…is this accurate? Plus why are all rentals by week? Here in FL average rent is between 800 and 1200.

I am sorry for all the questions….but I am still gathering facts/trends so I can calculate what seems to be the most important thing before arriving in NZ to ensure a comfortable stay…..money.

Also….if any american’s answer this….how much liquid cash would you recommend for a move to NZ….
Thanks!
Jason Doyle and family

down South · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 9:13 pm Post subject:

Getting an IT job isn't difficult. The reason for my inital panic, is that I'd planned around 3 months. Hence, telling the recruitment guy I'd need 6 once an offer was on the table. DOH! should have said a date.

Within 24hours of submitting my CV I received a call from the agent and less than 3 weeks I'd faxed my acceptance!

If you need any recruiment firms pm me or just use google.nz as a starting point.

flasponge · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 1:39 am Post subject: Thanks for trhe insight!

I will do that ASAP, and if I have any questions I will let you know. Are you in the South Island? If so what made you pick the SI instead of the NI?

Thanks!
Jason

down South · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 3:21 am Post subject:

I'll be in Auckland. It is the densest population area and if my partner manages to get an internal transfer it is where she would be based. If not she has been advised to go out on a holiday visa and do interviews wilts there. Being French and over ****** she fails the points system without a job...

* deleted in the interests of her modesty