Advice plz..
Hi everyone,
I really need advice. As i'm sitting here i'm struggling to make a life changing decision. Im a South African, and still living here atm, looking to move to New Zealand. Me and my husband both have good jobs currently, own our own house, and things arent looking to bad. BUT, as you all probably know and heard by now, that South Africa isnt the safest place to live in anymore. Politics is getting out of hand, and we're not sure for how long its going to looks rose coloured here. This last week we found an agency in NZ dealing with getting south africans jobs in NZ.They charge you for making your CV more "effective and good looking". A family member lives in NZ, and checked the agency out for us, and they are totally legit. We had to make hundred percent sure after being scammed by agents when we thought about going to Canada. * A dream we gave up on* What I want to now is , is there ANYONE that is already living in NZ that can give me any advice or indication on how live in NZ is. Asking family just wont do, because they want you to come over :) I want to make very sure before making this decision , there will be no turning back for us once we took a step in that direction. As from what I heard NZ's crime is very low, and that they are very honest people. But what I also want to know is are we going to make a Good living. Will we be able to generate the same standard of living there then what we WERE used to here. My husband is in I.T ( Linux Systems Administrator / Engineer) doesn't have a degree in it, but have 8 years experience, and studied 4 years in different Microsoft courses like A++ etc. I don't really have a skill. I studied social work for 1 year, and then started working in admin / secretarial field etc.due to unforeseen circumstances. Any advice that you can give me would be much appreciated. The uncertainty of making this decision is driving me nuts now :unsure: Thanks again Esmaree |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by esmaree
(Post 8489544)
Hi everyone,
I really need advice. As i'm sitting here i'm struggling to make a life changing decision. Im a South African, and still living here atm, looking to move to New Zealand. Me and my husband both have good jobs currently, own our own house, and things arent looking to bad. BUT, as you all probably know and heard by now, that South Africa isnt the safest place to live in anymore. Politics is getting out of hand, and we're not sure for how long its going to looks rose coloured here. This last week we found an agency in NZ dealing with getting south africans jobs in NZ.They charge you for making your CV more "effective and good looking". A family member lives in NZ, and checked the agency out for us, and they are totally legit. We had to make hundred percent sure after being scammed by agents when we thought about going to Canada. * A dream we gave up on* What I want to now is , is there ANYONE that is already living in NZ that can give me any advice or indication on how live in NZ is. Asking family just wont do, because they want you to come over :) I want to make very sure before making this decision , there will be no turning back for us once we took a step in that direction. As from what I heard NZ's crime is very low, and that they are very honest people. But what I also want to know is are we going to make a Good living. Will we be able to generate the same standard of living there then what we WERE used to here. My husband is in I.T ( Linux Systems Administrator / Engineer) doesn't have a degree in it, but have 8 years experience, and studied 4 years in different Microsoft courses like A++ etc. I don't really have a skill. I studied social work for 1 year, and then started working in admin / secretarial field etc.due to unforeseen circumstances. Any advice that you can give me would be much appreciated. The uncertainty of making this decision is driving me nuts now :unsure: Thanks again Esmaree Good luck with your search and making your decision.:thumbsup: Dewb |
Re: Advice plz..
Hi,
Only been here a few months so far but so far evrything is good:thumbup: My neighbour is south African and from what i can gather there are loads more over here:thumbsup: One thing i must say is you don't come to New Zealand to be rich, so try to bring has much capital with you, food and clothing is very expensive over IMO. |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by Him and Me
(Post 8489576)
Hi,
Only been here a few months so far but so far evrything is good:thumbup: My neighbour is south African and from what i can gather there are loads more over here:thumbsup: One thing i must say is you don't come to New Zealand to be rich, so try to bring has much capital with you, food and clothing is very expensive over IMO. Many many people love NZ and carve a great life for themselves. We have. But many also hate the place. They cite it as isolated, small minded, backward, expensive with crap shops, crap choice and crap housing. All the latter are fairly true, question is can you adapt to live in amongst the mediocrity? Then there are the roads...man are they bad, probably what would make me leave if I could. Bu the rest of the family love it here..I do too just hate the driving standards here and the 3rd world roads. |
Re: Advice plz..
Thanks so much for your replies.
@ Genesis : I dont think that any place could be worse than this shit hole South Africa. But still I love this place.. maybe not the place, more my family, friends and everything that we got used to here. I think our roads may look bit worse than in NZ, but the housing in NZ definitely sucks ! lol ( saying without any disrespect, where used to houses build with bricks here lol) Anyway, what is the salary there on which you can have a relaxed lifestyle, now and then some touring, eating out, having a nice car, maybe nice house, and still save up? I see there's quite a few posts on crime there.. not to be rude, but is it really crime ( like we in south africa know crime) or is it the occasional crime that you will get in any country. Where is the best place to live in NZ.. I thought about Auckland maybe. Really appreciate your input. |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by esmaree
(Post 8489710)
Thanks so much for your replies.
@ Genesis : I dont think that any place could be worse than this shit hole South Africa. But still I love this place.. maybe not the place, more my family, friends and everything that we got used to here. I think our roads may look bit worse than in NZ, but the housing in NZ definitely sucks ! lol ( saying without any disrespect, where used to houses build with bricks here lol) Anyway, what is the salary there on which you can have a relaxed lifestyle, now and then some touring, eating out, having a nice car, maybe nice house, and still save up? I see there's quite a few posts on crime there.. not to be rude, but is it really crime ( like we in south africa know crime) or is it the occasional crime that you will get in any country. Where is the best place to live in NZ.. I thought about Auckland maybe. Really appreciate your input. NZ and Aussie have not suffered as much as some in the credit crunch and things seem to be getting on an even keel again, but it can be an expensive place to live depending on your lifestyle, and you are living in the middle of a big wide ocean and it is a long way from anywhere, even Aussie is a 3.5 hour flight away to Sydney/Melbourne. Auckland is the big smoke, both Wellington (the capital) and Christchurch are smaller and offer different lifestyles and pace of life than Auckland, again it all depends on how you want to live. Good luck, but please make sure you research NZ well and appreciate what this country can offer you before making such a lifechanging leap. :thumbup: |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by esmaree
(Post 8489710)
Anyway, what is the salary there on which you can have a relaxed lifestyle, now and then some touring, eating out, having a nice car, maybe nice house, and still save up?
At the moment, I am alone, however I've never felt its enough even just for myself. ok. I've got less than $1000 after tax each week. nice car? but it was VERY Expensive (if you want a decent European car). My car is French. house? what house? I don't have a house yet, I've been living in a crap rental apt. about $460 per week. Touring? fancy touring? (past 4 years ) only been to New York for my brother's wedding (for 1 month) two years ago, spent $20000 then almost bankrupt when I returned to NZ. and visit my parents (Auckland) just once a year, that's about it. Eating out? I buy my lunch from Monday ~ Friday and its about $50 per week. Eating out for dinner, maybe just once a week - mostly $12.5 if I am alone. and grocery shopping each week - $100 each week. and clothes, shoes, cosmetics, etc - over $100 each week. Phone & power bills average $200 per month. I've got a big saving account to pay my tution fees in UK, and I've got no much spare cash left.. + and car insurance, petrol....:eek: I am so poor... I can't imagine my crap salary sharing with my kids or hubby. NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo! To have family, I'd need $200000 to support my family. Otherwise big no no. My friend - household income $80000 with two kids & mortgage, and almost bankrupt each week. |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by crap coffee
(Post 8489779)
sounds like you are dreaming, mate.
At the moment, I am alone, however I've never felt its enough even just for myself. ok. I've got less than $1000 after tax each week. nice car? but it was very expensive (if you want a decent European car). My car is French. house? what house? I don't have a house yet, I've been living in a crap rental apt. about $460 per week. Touring? fancy touring? (past 4 years ) only been to New York for my brother's wedding (for 1 month) two years ago, spent $15000 then almost bankrupt when I returned to NZ. and visit my parents (Auckland) just once a year, that's about it. Eating out? I buy my lunch from Monday ~ Friday and its about $50 per week. Eating out for dinner, maybe just once a week - mostly $12.5 if I am alone. and grocery shopping each week - $100 each week. and clothes, shoes, cosmetics, etc - over $100 each week. Phone & power bills average $200 per month. I've got a big saving account to pay my tution fees in UK, and I've got no much spare cash left.. + and car insurance, petrol....:eek: I am so poor... I can't imagine my crap salary sharing with my kids or hubby. NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo! To have family, I'd need $200k to support my family. Otherwise big no no. My friend - household income $80000 with two kids & mortgage, and almost bankrupt each week. But yes it can be an expensive place to live if you want to live the lifestyle you may be used to. |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by irnbru14
(Post 8489827)
Perhaps more affordable if you cut down on the coffee a bit of course :rofl: ;)
. beer? I don't drink beer very often. maybe a few pints a month (maximum). |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by crap coffee
(Post 8489779)
been to New York for my brother's wedding (for 1 month) two years ago, spent $20000 then almost bankrupt when I returned to NZ
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Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by simonsi
(Post 8489993)
Umm should have asked him to pay for his own wedding? :rofl: :eek: scary amount for a 1 month hol for one in NY whether it is $15k or $20k....:eek::eek:
My parents paid heaps for his wedding but not me....:rofl: staying in NY for a month is not a joke... :eek: $NZ -> $US !!! cr@p. and his salary isn't great .. (he's not a senior yet) what to expect? working for the poor country govt? |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by crap coffee
(Post 8490037)
I pay 38% tax!!! :mad:
Based on your statement of NZ$1000 or just under takehome per week I make that a gross of NZ$69,000 pa giving takehome after tax of NZ$52007 (ie $1000 per week. The NZ tax rates applied give an overall rate of 25% on that salary and a highest rate of 34.7%. If the above is wrong I´d appreciate knowing where I´ve used the wrong figures but I can´t get to a tax rate of 38% and the gross salary doesn´t make the highest rate of 39.7%....:confused::confused::confused: |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by simonsi
(Post 8490138)
OK, you lost me, and we can have this discussion by PM if you want to but I am WAY puzzled by that and I am worried that I may have my NZ tax calcs way wrong so in the forum interest:
Based on your statement of NZ$1000 or just under takehome per week I make that a gross of NZ$69,000 pa giving takehome after tax of NZ$52007 (ie $1000 per week. The NZ tax rates applied give an overall rate of 25% on that salary and a highest rate of 34.7%. If the above is wrong I´d appreciate knowing where I´ve used the wrong figures but I can´t get to a tax rate of 38% and the gross salary doesn´t make the highest rate of 39.7%....:confused::confused::confused: |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by simonsi
(Post 8490138)
OK, you lost me, and we can have this discussion by PM if you want to but I am WAY puzzled by that and I am worried that I may have my NZ tax calcs way wrong so in the forum interest:
Based on your statement of NZ$1000 or just under takehome per week I make that a gross of NZ$69,000 pa giving takehome after tax of NZ$52007 (ie $1000 per week. The NZ tax rates applied give an overall rate of 25% on that salary and a highest rate of 34.7%. If the above is wrong I´d appreciate knowing where I´ve used the wrong figures but I can´t get to a tax rate of 38% and the gross salary doesn´t make the highest rate of 39.7%....:confused::confused::confused: http://www.whatstax.govt.nz/need-to-know/paying-tax/ The tax rate is just not fair. Don't get me started. :curse: least, I am a little bit happier here, cos I don't have to pay tax for the royal family's luxury living... :rofl: |
Re: Advice plz..
Originally Posted by crap coffee
(Post 8494885)
The tax rate is just not fair. Don't get me started. :curse:
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