Perthbum

44k you would not be able to live on with rent food etc etc, Oz is expensive, I was earning 60k as a single bloke and had nothing left at the end on the month, I did love clubbing mind.

BEVS

However, it's not the comparison to the UK that the OP needs to do.

It's a maths exercise. The proposed net NZ income v NZ outgoings. Then look carefully at the remainder, if there is any, to see if that can be a fail-safe for any sudden heavy costs.

I have to agree with Mickey-D that food prices are a killer. Cost of living has certainly increased in the 7 years we've been here, whilst income has remained static or decreased for us.
The seasonal thing does make me laugh though. There are hydroponical tomatoes growing all year round here in huge agricultural greenhouses . Yet tomato prices are 'seasonal'.

BEVS

Last time I looked New Zealand was not part of Australia.

Perthbum

Sorry thought it was Oz.

MattandJax

Yes I know, I was not replying to the original poster hence the use of the quote.

And the food prices v wages is not unique to NZ or the UK. Look what is happening in Israel.

BEVS

However, the OP is asking about the cost of living v income in NZ .

There is merit in the OP assessing their current financial situation in the UK, but Israel ?

waikatoguy

I think there are too many unanswered questions to make a reply. Will your husband be working too? What is satisfactory to you? Would a 2002 Toyota Camry be ok? How many bedrooms do you want in your house? What suburb do you want to live in? etc etc.
If you are single, a salary of $44,000 would be enough to not be poor, depending on your definition of poor. You would find it difficult to manage if you wanted to live in a 3 bedroom house in Remuera though.
For 2 people, on a salary of $44,000 between you, you would struggle.

Perhaps the Mercer's report offers some sort of comparison for cost of living. London is the 18th most expensive city in the world in which to live. Auckland is not in the top 50 (I think it's around the 120th in the world). Although this does not take into account the difference in salaries, which are better in London on average, of course. Just the prices of goods and services against the US currency.
http://www.mercer.com/press-releases/1311145

BEVS

Lightbulb moment.

You're a couple up in Auckland I think. Are you living on around $44K gross pa then, coz that would be very relevant.

bourbon-biscuit

$44k per annum for two in Auckland, having to pay rent= no way.

However, as a nurse you'll get penals on top and in Hamilton that would make it doable. If in the future your husband/partner gets work then I'd say you'll be ok in Hamilton. If you don't mind us asking- what do you earn as a couple in the UK? that would help us answer whether you'll need to seriously pull the belt in or not.

Also, why are your options Auckland or Hamilton?

waikatoguy

That's a good point. A lot depends on what the original poster considers to be poor and what sort of lifestyle they are living at the moment.

BEVS

S'okay. Take it you've been to Perth, found it expensive and returned to Brum then.
Husband hales from Wolvo.

charlcote

I was talking to a UK friend who has just sacked her window cleaner for charging 10 pounds to clean the windows of her house, as she thought this was excessive. "Send him over here!" I said. I had just had a quote for $300 for mine, which although its bigger, certainly isn't 15x bigger!

Expat Kiwi

I've seen a rise in prices over here in Australia too, I think we've all been affected by high commodity prices, floods, droughts etc. I can still buy E10 petrol for around $1.30 a litre, skinless chicken breasts for $7.99, milk a dollar a litre. Electricity has shot up, last time I looked around 20c a unit.

One the positive side pay rises are still in existence too - 4.5% this year and I can get 6% on my savings, share divvies are doing well. so not all bad and not feeling like living standards are being eroded too badly.

bourbon-biscuit

Ouch! Someone's paying for that somewhere!

Perthbum

No. had a divorce and have come back to see which Country I prefer.