Gemski

Hello All,

My partner and I are currently residing in New Zealand, although we are originally from the UK. We have Working Holiday Visas for NZ, valid for one year. We have only been here for 6 weeks. Our plan when we left the UK was to sort jobs and look at the possibility of settling over here. Thats all changed now.....its a bit too quite for us and the wages are not very good. He ( Andy) is a Plumber and I ( Gemma) am a Massage Therapist.

We are thinking of heading to Dubai in about 10months. But this time we would like to hear from real people, like ourselves, about the work situation and living costs out there and just the general quality of life.

Any advice or opinions on what life is like for you that are already living there would be most appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Warm wishes, Gemma.

lionheart

You both may have to consider a career change if you come here as plumbing and massage therapist jobs are generally taken by our friends from South East Asia and therefore the pay is pitiful. So what's wrong with New Zealand? Its supposed to be one of the most beautiful countries around.

Gemski

Aha, thats good to know, thank you!

It is very beautiful here in New Zealand, that much is true. But we were under the illusion that everybody would be lovely and that there would be less crime around. We are living in Christchurch at the moment and have had a couple of nasty experiences after just 6 weeks!
We have decided to stick it out for the year though and see how we feel then. We have met some great people too! And when you drive out of the city, the views are totally stunning!
We are just looking at other options........ watch this space!

spart

Give yourself a bit more than the few weeks. Christchurch is pretty quiet, you probably didn't do too much research did you?

Your husband wont get a job here as a plumber, and as a MT, you will be looking at a salary in the order of Dh2,000 per month, working 6 days a week. Thats $740 per month. Now factor in that you will paying $82,000 per year for a two bedroom flat. Work it out.

Poitin

As LH said no call for western tradies here.

Out of curiosity why did you want to go to NZ in first place?
We ourselves are looking for a move from here next year to Aus next year - for our kids.
Dubai is fun - but very stressful in relation to red tape - expensive and polluted.

Good luck

RedRoar75

Presumably you meant Dh82,000? pedantic i know, but prob confusing as you quoted potential salary in Dh and USD.

spart

No. I meant NZD, which is where she is based.
Dh 2,000 = NZD $740
Dh 220,000 = NZD $82,000

Euc-

For 220.000Dhs you will get a 3bed villa these days, or 2,5 2bedroom flats :P

RedRoar75

thats why I was confused! You can get a 2 bed plus study in the Greens for 90,000 Dhs, so 220 is either AD figures or 2008.

spart

<< says right there