Oz to NZ

[Nerine]

Ok, I'll stick my neck out a bit here and say don't move to NZ just because of the scenery. That sort of thing is best kept for holidays. It's a lot more expensive to live there (petrol is over 2.10) there are very few cheapo food shops like Aldi and the taxes are higher. Plus the salaries in Oz are so much better (we got a 30% pay rise by moving here)

There's also the "kiwi way" to contend with. We lived there for 3 years and nothing would persuade us to go back.

Some people are happy there but life does seem to be more of a struggle financially than it does in Oz. If you've got a good lump sum to take with you so much the better - take advantage of the good exhange rates but be wary of the high mortgage rates, probably best not to buy for a while.

Australia is such a big continent, there is so much variety that you'd be well advised to consider other locations (if you haven't already done so)

[tracy123]

Originally Posted by steven9586

Hi Lisa sorry for the delay in my reply not a hundred percent sure what changed my mind but it could be my love for skiing we would normally be going to France for a week skiing about now, so the fact that we could ski in New Zealand would be a big bonus. I asked my daughter what would you rather a pool in your garden or be able to go skiing on a weekend and she voted for the skiing!!! any way we,ll just have to see what happens. Steven

Hi Steven

You can ski in Victoria as well as NSW they have some great places. If you like the laid back life style and views Tasmania could be the place for you. Property is a lot cheeper than the mainland aswell.

All the best

Geoffrey

[sheridanjames]

Hiya,

BritsAbroad in Tauranga which is a fab place and lots to do for kids of all ages. It is more laid back than OZ where you will have people tutting if you drink the wrong latte.

NZ wages are lower but money and hapyness are not linked so they tell me.

Good luck with your decisions

James

[Forgetmenot]

I lived in NZ for eight years and have lived in Aus for over 30. We have family in NZ so visit and I like it to visit but I would not live there because I believe we are better off here in Aus.

Its a very pretty place but you can't live on scenery and I think the houses are quite expensive there considering wages are below Aus wages.

Big export New Zealanders to Aus. Two of my best friends are New Zealanders who live here in Melbourne.

The two year rule applies and a lot of migrants who probably would not get visas for Aus migrate to NZ stay 2 years and then move over here.

That said there it depends what sort of life you want, New Zealanders are lovely people and its small so easy to get around. Has a diverse climate from cold in the south to Sydney type climate in Auckland and the Bay of Islands.

Difficult decision to make but make the decision that makes it possible to live in either country then you can move if you do not like where you are.

[GEORDIEFAYE]

Hi STEVEN9586 I have lived in Auckland NZ originally from Newcastle UK for the past 5yrs.I've travelled all over NZ and it is a beautiful country especially Waiheke Island,Bay of Islands,Christchurch and Queenstown these are my favourite places.But for the best wages you need to live in Auckland as everyone knows, so the traffic is terrible as the public transport is crap.The wages are really bad in NZ,taxes are high but the goverment does pay you family assistance for working families to help you raise your children which are quite generous.Its very quiet in NZ I think everybody goes to bed at 9pm and then everybody gets up at 5am to go out jogging!!!WHY!!!If you like a quiet lifestyle NZ would be great I mean there is so much outdoor stuff to do here but there is no buzz about the place.We are NZ permanent Residents but to get into Australia we would have to go through all the process of forms again or wait another 3yrs to get nz citizenship as we only got granted our resident visas in 2006.You can live in NZ for 6 months I would do that and you can get a feel for the place.Hope this helps

[mrsmcgoo]

I have been in NZ for 7 years - came in on Nursing qualification - didnt take me 8 months though - strange that one - only took about 8 weeks but that was a while ago - any way we are now looking tentatively at going to Oz. It is quieter here and I'm finding it a little 'boring' as I dont ski - I do however have 1 boy that is a fanatic - so am in a dilemma - although he loves the beach too - and it all costs so much money to move from 1 country to another - we do, however have the advantage of being NZ citizens now - so can just hop across no problem - but it doesnt give you automatic right to get all the priviliges in Oz you still have to apply to be a permanent resident and be there 4 years for citizenship (1 as a perm resident)- hey ho :/