Advice needed
Jul 11th 2008, 5:05 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Advice needed
Hello everyone!
I am a single Mum to a 9 year old called Lucy. I am an Operating Department Practitioner in England at the moment but am seriously considering moving to New Zealand. Would love to hear from anyone who has 'been there, done that' or is currently doing it. Would greatly appreciate an insight into cost of living, house prices, schools and community groups which may be available for Lucy and I to combat the homesickness. Would also like to hear how they felt/feel as I'm finding it all a bit daunting. Any advice very welcome.
Thanks
Sara
I am a single Mum to a 9 year old called Lucy. I am an Operating Department Practitioner in England at the moment but am seriously considering moving to New Zealand. Would love to hear from anyone who has 'been there, done that' or is currently doing it. Would greatly appreciate an insight into cost of living, house prices, schools and community groups which may be available for Lucy and I to combat the homesickness. Would also like to hear how they felt/feel as I'm finding it all a bit daunting. Any advice very welcome.
Thanks
Sara
Jul 11th 2008, 8:32 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Whitby Wellington
Posts: 2,440
Re: Advice needed
Hello everyone!
I am a single Mum to a 9 year old called Lucy. I am an Operating Department Practitioner in England at the moment but am seriously considering moving to New Zealand. Would love to hear from anyone who has 'been there, done that' or is currently doing it. Would greatly appreciate an insight into cost of living, house prices, schools and community groups which may be available for Lucy and I to combat the homesickness. Would also like to hear how they felt/feel as I'm finding it all a bit daunting. Any advice very welcome.
Thanks
Sara
I am a single Mum to a 9 year old called Lucy. I am an Operating Department Practitioner in England at the moment but am seriously considering moving to New Zealand. Would love to hear from anyone who has 'been there, done that' or is currently doing it. Would greatly appreciate an insight into cost of living, house prices, schools and community groups which may be available for Lucy and I to combat the homesickness. Would also like to hear how they felt/feel as I'm finding it all a bit daunting. Any advice very welcome.
Thanks
Sara
Those of us over here, have all been through it... but with BE weall have each other which has helped immensly. COst of living is high, but at the moment where isn't with fuel and food prices going up daily. House prices range from where you want to live... here in Welly, you can get good 3 bed houses from $350k and 4 bed from $400k, but they are coming down and it's a buyers market. In our experience Schools have been fantastic, full of after school clubs and such to keep kids busy and allow parents to work, will some very good holiday programme schemes as well... well they do in our area... as for homesickness, i haven't experienced it yet, but that might be a little to do with family already having been out to see us in our first year and the friends we have made to combat the effects of loneliness. I'm sure if you go for it you'l love it. Ask away with the questons.... someone will always answer! I did...
best wishes
Simon
Jul 11th 2008, 10:11 pm
#3
By name and by nature
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,852
Re: Advice needed
Hi Sara
I can't really help as we don't have children here but I have a sister Lucy (and an aunt & three cousins and my grandmother was also Lucy) so I just wanted to say good luck
Which part of the country are you thinking of settling in?
I can't really help as we don't have children here but I have a sister Lucy (and an aunt & three cousins and my grandmother was also Lucy) so I just wanted to say good luck
Which part of the country are you thinking of settling in?
Jul 11th 2008, 10:37 pm
#4
TeamEmbo
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Rangiora
Posts: 1,557
Re: Advice needed
You're very brave! But good on you for trying such an adventure! Have posted some links below which may or may not be useful. Cost of living is quite high at the moment and salaries can be variable depending on where you live/work, obviously main cities paying more than less populated/rural areas, but with it being a health job I don't know if the rates of pay are done on a national scale? And it depends on your personal circumstances too, if you are going to be mortgage free, or only need a small mortgage. If you were earning around 70k NZ$ and mortgage free that would be really good for just you and one child. I think the average Kiwi wage is around 40-50k NZ$.
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
Jul 12th 2008, 2:44 am
#5
lionheart
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: papamoa
Posts: 571
Re: Advice needed
You're very brave! But good on you for trying such an adventure! Have posted some links below which may or may not be useful. Cost of living is quite high at the moment and salaries can be variable depending on where you live/work, obviously main cities paying more than less populated/rural areas, but with it being a health job I don't know if the rates of pay are done on a national scale? And it depends on your personal circumstances too, if you are going to be mortgage free, or only need a small mortgage. If you were earning around 70k NZ$ and mortgage free that would be really good for just you and one child. I think the average Kiwi wage is around 40-50k NZ$.
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
Welcome and good on you.
Any idea of what area you are thinking of moving too. Can't really go wrong no matter where you choose.
Check out main forum go back a few pages has a good thread on what it actually costs, sort of May maybe April time.
Recent news bulletin said average family income is $72,000 with 2 working adults and another that said average family income is $64,000 with 2 working adults.
Pauline
Jul 12th 2008, 7:40 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 72
Re: Advice needed
Hi
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
Jul 12th 2008, 8:19 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,285
Re: Advice needed
Hi
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
It depends on you though I suppose and whether you have a decent support network/job satisfaction/comfy life where you are now. Certainly financially you could be coming to a harder situation than you currently have...research research...there is no tax free allowance for instance, you pay tax on every dollar earned.
Jul 12th 2008, 3:21 pm
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
Hi Sara,
Those of us over here, have all been through it... but with BE weall have each other which has helped immensly. COst of living is high, but at the moment where isn't with fuel and food prices going up daily. House prices range from where you want to live... here in Welly, you can get good 3 bed houses from $350k and 4 bed from $400k, but they are coming down and it's a buyers market. In our experience Schools have been fantastic, full of after school clubs and such to keep kids busy and allow parents to work, will some very good holiday programme schemes as well... well they do in our area... as for homesickness, i haven't experienced it yet, but that might be a little to do with family already having been out to see us in our first year and the friends we have made to combat the effects of loneliness. I'm sure if you go for it you'l love it. Ask away with the questons.... someone will always answer! I did...
best wishes
Simon
Those of us over here, have all been through it... but with BE weall have each other which has helped immensly. COst of living is high, but at the moment where isn't with fuel and food prices going up daily. House prices range from where you want to live... here in Welly, you can get good 3 bed houses from $350k and 4 bed from $400k, but they are coming down and it's a buyers market. In our experience Schools have been fantastic, full of after school clubs and such to keep kids busy and allow parents to work, will some very good holiday programme schemes as well... well they do in our area... as for homesickness, i haven't experienced it yet, but that might be a little to do with family already having been out to see us in our first year and the friends we have made to combat the effects of loneliness. I'm sure if you go for it you'l love it. Ask away with the questons.... someone will always answer! I did...
best wishes
Simon
Regards
Sara
Jul 12th 2008, 3:23 pm
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
Not sure where to settle, so many things I have yet to consider. Thanks for replying I appreciate it.
Regards
Sara
Jul 12th 2008, 3:25 pm
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
You're very brave! But good on you for trying such an adventure! Have posted some links below which may or may not be useful. Cost of living is quite high at the moment and salaries can be variable depending on where you live/work, obviously main cities paying more than less populated/rural areas, but with it being a health job I don't know if the rates of pay are done on a national scale? And it depends on your personal circumstances too, if you are going to be mortgage free, or only need a small mortgage. If you were earning around 70k NZ$ and mortgage free that would be really good for just you and one child. I think the average Kiwi wage is around 40-50k NZ$.
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
www.cdhb.govt.nz
www.realestate.co.nz
www.educationpages.co.nz
http://www.localeye.info/pages?catId...o-nc/Newcomers
Hope these help
Regards
Sara
Jul 12th 2008, 3:27 pm
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
Welcome and good on you.
Any idea of what area you are thinking of moving too. Can't really go wrong no matter where you choose.
Check out main forum go back a few pages has a good thread on what it actually costs, sort of May maybe April time.
Recent news bulletin said average family income is $72,000 with 2 working adults and another that said average family income is $64,000 with 2 working adults.
Pauline
Any idea of what area you are thinking of moving too. Can't really go wrong no matter where you choose.
Check out main forum go back a few pages has a good thread on what it actually costs, sort of May maybe April time.
Recent news bulletin said average family income is $72,000 with 2 working adults and another that said average family income is $64,000 with 2 working adults.
Pauline
Really appreciate your reply.
Regards
Sara
Jul 12th 2008, 3:28 pm
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
Hi
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
My husband is an ODP too and has been quoted 60,000nzd which we are hopeing is good. We are a family of 4 two adults and kids of 20yrs and 16yrs. We will be moving out there in two years when our son finishes university and our daughter finishes her A levels.
Not sure where we're planning on settling yet, everywhere looks nice so can't decide on a location at the moment. There are also so many jobs available for ODP's that you are alittle spoilt for choice.
Regards
Sara
Jul 12th 2008, 3:30 pm
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Advice needed
Looks like that's the kind of salary you can expect then BUT coming here as a stand alone parent is going to be much harder than coming as a couple with 2.4 children and I don't think you should underestimate that aspect in being far removed from your support network. Most posters on this website are couples so the potential loneliness of having a lack of another adult to share the adventure with, wouldn't apply for them.
It depends on you though I suppose and whether you have a decent support network/job satisfaction/comfy life where you are now. Certainly financially you could be coming to a harder situation than you currently have...research research...there is no tax free allowance for instance, you pay tax on every dollar earned.
It depends on you though I suppose and whether you have a decent support network/job satisfaction/comfy life where you are now. Certainly financially you could be coming to a harder situation than you currently have...research research...there is no tax free allowance for instance, you pay tax on every dollar earned.
Regards
Sara
