kato33

Can anyone tell me what other expenses we can expect in NZ.
Stupid question I suppose but need the answers.

After the mortgage and the obvious things like food, petrol and kids school books what else do you pay out for?
Are the rates expensive?
Whats the gas/electric/water bills like?
Is car insurance/mot/tax expensive?
Medical fees?

Haven't a clue on the above so any info would be

Nici

lardyl

If you are renting then rates are usually included but you have to pay for your rubbish bags - about $1.70 each and if you recycle well then one a week will do ya!
Electricity is not too expensive although there is less competition than in UK, heating all your water for baths/showers/etc by immersion heater can be expensive, and expect your bill to be higher if you have to run one of those notoriously (and on my limited experience say, correctly) inefficient hot/cold water feed top loading washing machines, a landlord's fridge that was built in about 1950, and several space heaters plus a de-humidifier .... this could be considered steep given your likely wages!!
Medical depends upon your migrant status - PR gives reduced costs of doctor's appointments and prescriptions, should also reduce the cost of insurance.
Car running costs are low, although new cars are more expensive than in UK. S/H cars are rather cheap and most people drive more of a "shed" than in UK.
Other costs will depend upon the area you choose to live in, Auckland is more expensive than most for accomodation and you may run up larger fuel bills as you will get caught in traffic!!
There are plenty of other threads dealing with the real cost of living, feel free to explore and expect to spend more than you budget for to begin with as it it very hard to shake off the "i'm on holdiay" attitude.... good luck!!!!!1111

karonious

On the plus side, there is no TV Licence!

lardyl

on the minus side the TV is really really......mmm...not very good.......

Boopy

Sky isn't much cop here either. But it's a must for hubby and his sport.

SarahB

Yep thats the polite way of saying it!

Wiz'n'Ton

Boopy!!!! How DARE you!!!???!!! I'll have you know that Sky is a lovely lady, and I would say - although she is not in the Police force here - she is a very lovely lady.

And as for being 'sport' for your husband.... well.... I hope that where you come from, 'sport' does not mean the same as it does where I come from.

Boopy

You were very quick on that one - now that I've re read it, it is a gudun.

karonious

As I watch either 1 hour of TV a week or none at all - I don't feel I know enough to offer a valid opinion on TV here. I spend hours gaming on the computer (note: I said gaming on the computer, not on the game!), I listen to the radio, I read the papers or get the international news online, so never have time or need for the TV.

kato33

I thought all men think alike when ity comes to "sport"

hehehe

nici

Wiz'n'Ton

You know what - that is my one and only original thought of today.

And I shared it here.

You lot really are blessed.

karonious

Feeling better then?
Bored then?
Back to work then!

lardyl

sorry to the OP as we've forgotten what was the question.??????????????........................... .............................

kato33

Never mind.............reading what you lot say is far more interesting.

karonious

Sorry to hijack your thread
I was really annoyed that the first cheque we wrote from our new account cost us a levy. It wasn't much (really can't remember, probably $5), just the fact that they charged us when they had all our money and were probably making a profit out of us already