What is New Zealand like to live and work in?

Question

I'm lead to believe that economically, New Zealand is one of the poorer Western nations and that wages in NZ are lower than, although rapidly catching up, a lot of other Western nations. A lot of British people have told me that one of their main draws to New Zealand is that because it has such a low population density , and low property costs in comparison to the UK, they are able to sell their small, semi-detatched house on an estate in the UK, and with the money buy a big, detatched house with land in New Zealand, and thus increase their standard of living greatly, while living in a generally less poluted, quiter invironement.

However, that only benefits you if you already have real-estate in the UK to sell, if you are moving to New Zealand from scratch, without any significant money, and on an average wage job how is life in New Zealand? How are costs? How are property prices?

Answer 1

there's too much godgobbing in NZ

Answer 2

While you are in the 'pound' mentality, everything will seem very inexpensive.  Once you start thinking in the currency, unfortunately that changes.  Nurses are in great demand in NZ and OZ.  The following offers an email address and phone number for overseas inquiries:

Nurses Board New Zealand

Postal Address: PO Box 9644, Wellington, New Zealand

Street Address: Level 12, Mid City Tower, 139-143 Willis Street, New Zealand

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail] Overseas Registration Enquiries

[e-mail] Enquiries regarding practicing certificates

Also check out this link to the gov't immigration site: www.immigration.govt.nz/Administration/E...

I, too, am looking to immigrate this year.  We have spent nearly every British winter there for several years now.  The standard of living is difficult to compare to the UK as it's so very different.  Many towns in NZ seem untouched by time as some are exactly as they were in the 50s.  Others are thriving, cosmopoliton hubs.  You certainly get more for the money than in the UK in real estate and depending where you choose this can decrease or increase accordingly.  In general, the people are lovely, helpful and generous.  They also tend to be a lot more laid back than those in the UK and things get done at their own pace, which can be a difficult thing to adjust to for a Brit. lol

Anyway...hope this helps!

Answer 3

You are right the advantages someone with money from a house they have sold in England and brought here, does not apply to you. The biggest factor is the good exchange rate which varies anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 dollars to a pound. Houses here are cheaper than some parts of England like London. You may find they are not that cheap though,

especially in Auckland, and the cities. They are dropping a little in price at the moment with a downturn in the economy.Where you live makes a big difference.          

Nurses have had recent pay increases but are not well paid. $42, 000 seems to be the starting point.  Check this website which has more details - http://www.payscale.com/research/NZ/Job=... Our cost of living relative to income is expensive.

But we do have a beautiful country with a lovely lifestyle with plenty of outdoor activities, beautiful scenery and less population. So it is a trade off.

For house prices look at http://www.trade-me.co.nz for an idea of what you will pay where.

Answer 4

New Zealand is beautiful only when you visit New Zealand...beautiful landscapes, beaches, places...the rest is absurd, primitive and unbearable! Don't trust me!!! And you'll see it yourself!!!

Answer 5

I feel that what NZ needs in immigrants, are those who are going to add value to this country and not be a burden on society....

We do have a shortage of those in the medical profession, and I say go for it; you will love the lifestyle here as this country has so much to offer!  There are bargains in the housing market right now, so it's a good time to take advantage of those! And yes you'll be able to grow your own veges/fruit trees like a lot of kiwis do, and save money!