Fed Up! Wanting OUT!

[keystiger]

The wife and I have had enough (of the USA, don't ask long story but I am sure you understand if you watch the news) and are looking to find a place to call home for the "long run" so to speak. We have researched a number of places and, New Zealand keeps coming to the top of the list.

I see a number of ADVer's from NZ. And thought I might be able to get an honest locals opinion on what the place is like....to live in.

Vacationing in a country doesn't REALLY tell you the whole story.

Could you all give me some information on your beautiful country???
Thanks in advance!

[JayBo1]

Can I offer an opinion as someone that loves NZ, grew up there but left 7 years ago? It is a really beautiful country, with great riding opportunities and I can't think of a better place to live if you're financially well established. The reasons we left? Sick of the rain and needed to escape to become "financially established" which is pretty hard to do in NZ.

I'm a Kiwi through and through and if I was in the position now that I was 7 years ago I probably wouldn't make the move. The cost of living has skyrocketed here in Western Australia and we were lucky to be able to get into the housing market when we did. The career opportunities here are brilliant and I couldn't even have dreamt of the lifestyle I now have when I was in NZ. In the right game, the income potential is unreal! Now I'm here in WA, enjoying the good (but not great) riding opportunities, great income and beautiful climate, we'll stay for a few years yet. But one day we'll return "home".

[DaveTheYank]

Hi Tiger

I left the US 8 years ago for Australia, and then moved to NZ 3 years ago with my job. I don't know what your reasons are, but I was tired of the lifestyle dominated by excess, the self-centered world view, the politics, and the growing presence of evangelical religions in day-to-day activities. Whew!

Anyway, I was looking for a change, and I got one! If you choose either country, you will be very happy. The US dollar, while suffering at the moment, will still go pretty far to get yourself set up, as long as you don't have to live downtown in a large city. The cost of living is quite reasonable in the suburbs. The personal freedoms are similar, you won't feel worried that you're doing something wrong all the time, apart from the first couple of months when you don't know which way to turn out of a driveway! (yeah, don't get run over by forgetting to look right)

The Keys are pretty "relaxed" if I recall. You'd really enjoy the small towns in Aus or NZ. The cities are the same: Fun and cultured, but crowded at rush hour, and melting pots of people from all over the world. (understand that you're not the first one to have this idea)

So, give it a go! (that means give it a try) You don't have anything to lose by starting your visa aplication. Try reading the History of New Zealand by Michael King, or Culture Shock! Australia, and have a look at http://www.trademe.co.nz/ for real estate, jobs, bikes and everything else. It's our version of Ebay.


Best of luck!

Dave

[keystiger]

Thanks Dave.

YEs self centered world view, politics, economy,governmental "controls" getting tighter daily, excess.......you nailed it.

Not looking for big city life....actually the opposite, Thats why we are in the Keys and not NYC or L.A..
And the exchange rate does seem attractive at the moment.

Jaybo1 mentions lots of Rain? Can you comment? Not the we are strangers to rain here in the American Carribbean as they call it (marketing purposes you understand).

Will check out the books and website. THANKS.

[DaveTheYank]

Yes, rain.

It's been a pretty wet winter in Auckland, and you'll find that the northern part of the North Island gets alot of rain. Look at Napier or Hastings (collectively called Hawkes Bay), the weather there is quite mild, not as much rain, and lots of wineries! Nelson, at the top of the South Island, gets very little rain as well, but you're getting into cold winter territory, and colder as you go farther south. The nice thing about NZ is that you're never fra from the coast.

Dave

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by DaveTheYank

Nelson, at the top of the South Island, gets very little rain as well, but you're getting into cold winter territory, and colder as you go farther south.

That's cold as in the occasional -3 C overnight and no snow on the ground in winter.

[keystiger]

Thats a little to cold for a South Florida boy...........

Maybe its the pictures of those pointy things you have .....I think they call them Mountains???? Not sure I am so used to flat straight and hot. I might have to be retrained on how to ride around turns..........Sure looks nice down there though.

[PJay]

You do need to realise that the "clean and green" cliche description is true, but is because much of the place is washed by rain regularly. The country is islands running north and south more or less at 90 degrees to the prevailing westerly winds in the middle of a lot of ocean. We get a lot of weather, just warmer or colder depending on further north or further south.

I've lived and worked from the far south to the far north of NZ. I have never been unable to ride a motorcyle to and from work because of adverse weather.

These days, I do work for several US citizens who have transplanted themselves here, and more who have bought property and are on the way. Their reasons are the same as yours, as well as the astonishing accessibility of a wide range of leisure activities.

Permanent immigration is relatively easy if you have qualifications and skills. The NZ Immigration (ie official government) website is particularly helpful. Most people in the "skilled" or "business migrant" categories do not really need a great deal of assistance other than that provided by Immigration themselves. If you try to cheat or lie to them, you will have a hard time. We are not all country bumpkins down here....

If you own your own property in the US, you'll be able to sell there and buy OK here. There are some restrictions on property you buy here - "sensitive land" includes that fronting directly on to sea or lake shore or reserves, and farm land, so for those purchases you need government Overseas Investment Office consent.

It's a small country with a tiny economy at the arse end of the globe, so money is harder to come by than in many other places. There are some advantages: a lot of prices for goods are pitched to suit (eg it used to be that you could buy a new Mercedes Benz here cheaper than anywhere else in the world, though that may not be so now.) In my observation, things balance out reasonably, so if you could save money in the US, you would here, and not if not.

[keystiger]

I have researched the rainfall in the Hawkes Bay are, which is the area we are gravitating towards. We actually recieve more rainfall here in the Fl Keys, annual 40-50 inches as compared to your 6-800 mm (20-30 inches).
And being a VERY small island chain situated in hurricane alley, we are accustomed to dealing with storms, mother nature etc. Also used to going without some of the luxuries and new things that make it to the "mainland" but not here.
We have 1 movie theatre in a 100 mile area..............NO malls or "big box chain" stores---(well we have Home Depot), limited resources, annual water rations (we get pleanty of rainfall but our public water system is piped down from the mainland?!?!?!?!?!)........you get the picture.

It also looks like the economy is similar. The average home price here is 500,000.00 U.S. and average income around 40-50,000. With the "bulk" of income ariving during the 5 month tourist season, then it gets very VERY lean. "Staples" milk bread gas etc. all carry a premium price since it all has to be shipped -trucked-in. (think Hawaii with a highway) and don't even get me started on insurance!!!!! We know how to pinch a penny.

I really appreciate all the honest comments hints/tips and hope to continue to get more. I ti s refreshing to get the REAL scoop not the "Chamber of Commerce" version. It will take us some time to get there but it sure seems to be looking like a good fit.

Thank you all very much.

[clintnz]

Originally Posted by keystiger

governmental "controls" getting tighter dail.

If you're considering coming to NZ to get away from that you may want to think again. In some ways we have less government controls but in other areas there are lots more.
The fact that you can get pretty much any motorcycle you like road legal providing it has lights, brakes mirrors etc & the fact you don't need a permit to go into our national parks might turn you on. On the other hand you need to get a license to have a gun (no handguns allowed) & speed limits are enforced to the level of total stupidity on most main roads, which might fully bunch the panties of many the average US citizen.

X2 on the Hawke's Bay being a nice spot to live though.

Cheers
Clint

[waza]

Look mate these response have come form one eyed North Islanders. So, I'll give you a Cantabs view - Don't forget about the South Island. You could set your self up anywhere in Canterbury, perhaps on a lifestyle block and still have access to a city with a population of 400K with the money you are talking about. Better riding in the South Island, particularly if you want to get into the adventure thing. If you love the outdoors the South islabnd is the place to be. Once you aclimatise you'll be fine. Rain, what rain, only 60cm per year in Canterbury and to cap it off our sports teams win most of the competitions. Employment opportunitites? What are you into? Happy to help if I can, just send me a PM.

As an aside, I lived in Australia for a few years, great weather I'd have to say but I came to think of Australia as a detuned clone of the US, consumption centered, my view only.

[ttrkiwi]

Keystiger, I agree with all the above and having just returned from Oz (Australia) after having lived and worked there for 10 years I would suggest NZ is probably one of the best countries in the world to live at the moment. I have lived in Europe, visited USA and parts of Africa and NZ is a 'little' slice of paradise. I'm married with children (don't know your circumstances)
and am glad to be back in a country where I know my neighbours, know my kids are safe and can ride my bike just about anywhere....not to mention the fishing.

Great place to live and as suggested a couple of acres, a small house and you are set for the rest of your life.

Pricing of consumer goods, groceries etc is on par with OZ, wages/salaries may be a bit lower but overall quality of life is up there with the best.

Welcome aboard...

[Frank Warner]

A word on the rainfall thing ..

Two places might get the same total rian fall .. bu one of those places get the rain fall in half the number of days .. where would you rather ride?

--------------
Gov controls .. where ever you go they will have their rules. Smaller settlements don't have the same pressures so some rules are let go a bit .. the advantages of a smaller population density .. look for that.

Good luck.

[Padmei]

Heres an opinion that may offend but is not intended to (a bit like starting a sentence I'm not racist but...)

Anyway through my job as an electrician I visit homes every day of people originally from various places around the world. Nelson, where I live is very popular with well heeled immigrants due to its climate & outdoor lifestyle. It is the place where people come for a holiday then come back & stay.

What I have found generally is that once people get past the honeymoon period of finding their new home, getting the kids settled into school, getting a job etc, they begin missing the good things about 'home'. Then the little quirks & deficiencies of living in a little country - the way we do things, the expensive necessities like food, gas etc, the low pay & shortage of the dream job -start to become big things & all of a sudden quaint lil ol NZ is a backwards place that is not what it seemed when planning the great escape from the old country.

Whilst there are millions that have come & love their new home, they are usually the ones that come with an open mind. The ones that are unhappy will generally find something to be unhappy about anywhere in the world.

Moving to a new country doesn't necessarily change who you are or how you feel about things.

[guns_equal_freedom]

The South Island of New Zealand is much like driving the west coast from northern California to British Columbia, except instead of heading north you head south.

A lot of the friends I made (mostly NZ Military types) in my 4 years there moved to Australia for the job opportunities, a few to England and the USA.

If I had the money or a skillset that made money in the Christchurch area of New Zealand I would be there yesterday.