Funky42

Hi just after some information before we head over, I've got a job offer, just wondering what the yearly cost is for a family of 3, with a 3/4 bed rental in Qtown/chc areas, any help would be appreciated as wondering if it might be to expensive for us.

MrsFychan

Hi and welcome to BE.

think the costs are both are going to be quite different but as they are both main cities its going to be quite high. Can you tell us what salary you will be on and then people may be able to give you their opinions.
Also try the search function above as lots of posts of costs of living and there is a dedicated ChCh thread so go have a read of that also

Funky42

Hi thanks for reply basic wages will be $65000/70000

moving2NZ2013

Those wages are very low for cost of living in Chch and stupidly low for queenstown.

My husbands on over 90 we live a way from Chch so rents are cheaper. And even then we do have to be very thrifty

So would depend on what your second income was

MrsFychan

dependant on the age of child of you need to immediately factor in school/medical costs for them as well.

Your take home on 65k will roughly be 52K
check out Trademe for rental prices on 3/4 bed. having a quick look I would factor in anywhere between $350-$450 and up a week in ChCh and $400-$700 of Queenstown on a 3 bed. so lets say $400 a week then that brings the income from just your wage to around 32K

you pay for medical care, visits can be anything from $30-$50 if you are funded if not funded then its around $85 per visit,
if your partner wants to work there will be childcare costs, so anything they got would need to cover that cost to make it worth while.

Tom H

$65000 - $70000

Does this three bedroom have to be furnished or unfurnished??? Could you not consider a 2 bedroom to start off with???

Plenty of things to consider. Would you be bringing your own car (public transport in the South Island is non existant since the car is king)? Would your partner work? Would you be happy paying childcare costs? Then there's the food shopping which unless you're one of these people that would drive 40km to get lamb meat for just $5,99 a kilo, you'd be looking at hefty food bills. Don't think about how much fuel your wasting - you'd be advertising that this place is cheap - yay, break out the champagne

Of course though, you'd be coming to a country that has wonderful mountain views, sea lions, plants on highways that none has seen before, ruins of the easter island habitants, where could you get this sort of luxury, none other than New Zealand??

moving2NZ2013

Good point. Aslong as we can survive on wages I couldn't care for the luxuries the actual luxury is more family time and the most beautiful country
But ultimately you have to be able to afford the basics

BEVS

However , those wages are very high for an scaffolder who is not yet NZ ticketed & comes in at more than the average plumber; sparky ;chippy or other tradie might find.

MrsFychan

Scaffolder - About the job

states average salary for

non qualified $15-$17 per hour
qualified $17-$30