Yet another salary comparison

dctadpole · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 16

I am embarrassed to admit that I am now hesitant about the significant salary reduction one faces (at least I will face) when moving to NZ. My
current salary is about 110K USA and the salary for virtually the same
job in NZ is just under 80K NZ. I am primarily enthusiastic about this
opportunity for .not. fiscal reasons but the reduction is enough that it
gives me pause. Looking at real estate and housing I realize that some
aspects of life are much more affordable.

Does anyone have any advice about this - any similar stories. My target
for relocation is Wellington (which looks like a fabulous place to live), I
am currently a Washington D.C. resident.

Thanks in advance for any advice - this website is a marvelous thing. I
find myself reading through posts that don't pertain to me at all, just
because I find them so well written and witty. I have gotten excellent
information from my readings.

--dctadpole

JCM · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject:

No need to be embarrased dc, I'd be more than hesitant to take that sort of pay cut too. Can't really help with similar cases of large salary reduction.

I was talking to a lady from Washington a few months back and she told me that the great thing about being in NZ was that she wasn't constantly doing a 'risk assessment' when she walked along the streets here in the way she habitually did in Washington, sizing up possible threats and escape routes in case there should be a crime event. But I'm sure you'd escape that sort of atmosphere simply by relocating to a more sedate setting in the U.S.

Apart from politicians, who vote in parliament on what their salary package should be Rolling Eyes

, very few people in NZ earn 'world class' salaries. It would be great if more of us did. Let's just hope that more skilled people like yourself keep arriving to keep our economy growing, and who knows, we might get back to the wealth levels of the 1970's when NZ was just about the wealthiest nation on earth. (The UK had not joined Europe at that time and was buying all of the high quality farm goods that NZ's farmers could produce.)

jbiggley · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:50 pm Post subject:

I'll echo the same feelings of dctadpole. There is a real decision that needs to be made when deciding to relocate to NZ -- especially when you will have a wife and 4 children in tow! It is unforunate that real estate is more expensive in NZ than in Ontario, it appears that groceries are more expensive than Ontario, and the salaries are definately less than what I make working in the automotive industry.

So, what does one do? I guess, find a job first off. You could look at all of the job comparisons, and salary surveys you want, but until you are offered a position you will have no idea what the real salary range will be. Also, the location of that position will greatly affect the cost of living (or so I have read!). In the end, it will be a decision that is unique and personal, and nobody can tell you what you should and should not do.

I would assume that everyone has to cross this bridge eventually.

dan-ish · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject: This is a tough one...

Hey guys,

This is really a tough one. I have heard that in NZ peoples wages/salaries do not differ too much between various jobs and postions - people at the top get paid more, but not that much more. Apparently the only real way to get really rich in NZ is to be an entrepreneur or, like JCM said, become a politician! Similar, apparently, to Sweden, but even there the politicians don't get paid that much Clapping

!

The only option that I can think of is to make sure you have plenty of moolah before you go and when you get there slowly adjust to a more 'frugal' way of life. To be honest you won't notice the lack of cash as the scenery and people will keep you more than content Nice One

!

It is tough to weigh up the pros and cons of moving to NZ, but lots of the pros can't be measured or explained - they have to be experienced. So when you put a higher salary up against something inexplicable or intangible it is likely to win out. I say sod the cash and "Live the Dream" as Kathmandu would say... Razz

Dan-ish

SIMAKRA · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:08 pm Post subject:

Hi dc,

I think it also depends on how much money you were able to save. Houses in Wellington are much cheaper than in Washington DC. If you are able to buy a house, you should be fine with your NZ salary. Also depends how big your family is, do you have kids that want to go to uni? That will make things much more expensive.

Simone