bourbon-biscuit

No, no; I didn't really mean that. It was just an observation that a forum like this might represent a balance of views only if you are able to consider them as a whole, iyswim. Individual posts can express quite strong views and while that might be reality and truth for that poster, it's not necessarily objective.

bourbon-biscuit

I understand what you are saying but by the middle ground I meant people who are happily content with their life here, rather than completely miserable or ecstatic. Happily Content allows for some disatisfaction and some delight and and is probably a very realistic state to aim for.
But yes, I totally get your point and I am not sure anymore that any amount of NZ lifestyle can really make up for those things

MrsFychan

every bodies experiences are going to be different, you didn't live the same life in the country you came from as anyone else on here. The best you can do is offer up your own experiences and advise and then let other people make up their own minds how they wish to proceed.

The advice I would give anyone is do not burn your bridges in the country you are coming from and have a back up plan - get out of jail free card- if things mean you have to make alternative arrangements. Make sure you have enough money for at least the first 6 months of being here, you will need to buy stuff to set up, and that is after the money it will cost you to get over here in the first place. Don't expect to much, I have found myself saying "lower your expectations" a lot.
It is a beautiful country, kids don't care, but at the end of the honeymoon period you will still have to work, do housework, budget and all the other mundane day to day stuff you do now you may just not have the support you had back in the country on departure.

MegMac

Hi

We moved over a month ago and my hubby has been here a bit longer. Yes, we live in the dreaded South Auckland area, and we're doing just fine. :thumb up:

I'm sure other posters have had not very pleasant experiences and I'm not discounting them, I've just had different experiences. We are in The Gardens, about 5 mins from Manukau City. I consider it fairly safe, certainly no worse than Wales. The house we are renting is pricey, $600 a month but it is lovely with a great garden and direct access to a reserve, which is fab for the kids. The school is very, very good. My kids were in an excellent school in Wales and I was very concerned about the level of education here but they have settled into their new school really well and are loving learning new things.

My biggest surprise has been the behaviour of the young teens here (our school is a primary and intermediate), most of those from the school have been really sensible and dare I say it mature. Please and thank you's, deferring to adults and just being generally respectful every time I've gone to school. While I'm sure that isn't true of all schools, I really can't say enough wonderful things about my children's school.

Hubby is enjoying work, and generally it takes 20-30 minutes to get to work in central Auckland, unless there has been an accident. Groceries and toiletries are expensive. You can shop around and save but even with savings the reality is your shopping bills will be more.

New Zealand definitely isn't for everyone, if you think life is going to be easier and you'll have more money the odds are you probably won't. Best advise, do your research and then do some more research and then do some more research.

Good Luck!

Tom H

If you can, try and come over for a few weeks and think 'can I live here'. Don't come for a holiday because most people that come on holiday would more than likely be the ones that moved here. It may be expensive but at least you can have an idea of what you'd be moving to. We didn't and it's probably something I wished I did just so that we didn't result in last minute panics.

Where in Kent do you live? I can understand your reasoning to move if living in places like Gillingham in particular.

In terms of living, I suppose it's whatever suits your boat in terms of commuting. I visit Auckland at least once a week and if you don't mind a potential longish commute then Whitford is a nice little place to move to. You don't have the expensive costs that Auckland possesses. I'd only recommend moving to Auckland if you had at least a million bucks to play with. Cracking CBD but very expensive.

desmondo84

600 bucks a month MegMAc? surely you mean a week???

Justcol

Ok lets try to balance it out a little
some plus points for south auckland
1 errrrrrr !!!!!
2 Hmmm !!!!!
3 aarrrrr !!!!!

garethwm

Western South Auckland : Variety of cultures, great people, cheaper housing, Manakau mall. Eastern South Auckland : Many areas of modern living, pleasant beaches, good schools, Botany Downs town centre where I happened to sit out on the patio type area there under a sun umbrella having a lunch of nachos filled with chicken, corn salsa and sour cream today etc. And as I ate my lunch, I thought about this thread and smiled quietly

garethwm

... although it is very true that there are big areas of low socio economic status in Western Sth Auckland. Otara may well be one of the poorest suburbs of any city in the country, I imagine.

jmh

Yeah I can recommend The Gardens. I went to see a client there a while back and we got chatting about the area because I was looking for a property. We were sitting at her kitchen table looking at the view of Totara Park. She told me that she was forced to move there because of her husband's business and was upset because she believed that all of South Auckland was full of crime and gangs. Now 5 years later, with young children in the local school, she's sad to leave (again due to her husband's business). She says it's so peaceful and safe for the children. Good school etc. She says it's the best place she's ever lived. Nice new-build house too.

I went to see another client today in the doctor's surgery nearby and noticed that the fee for adults to see the doctor was $30 which is cheaper than in most parts of Auckland. I'm guessing it's cheap because technically it is in Manurewa, but the surgery looked very modern and well looked after. You'll find a lot of things much cheaper in South Auckland.

Those complaining about walking the dogs will be interested to hear that there is a large leash-free area in the Botanic Gardens just down the road.

MegMac

LOL!!! Yup, seems I can't get my head around paying weekly. We pay $600 a week.

Kadders12

Hi,

I cant remember all the questions but here is some more info...
We live in Bapchild which is a small village outside Sittingbourne.
My take home pay will be around $1100 a week. That will be our only income as my wife wont be working until my youngest starts school (+2yrs)
At the moment we are comfortable with money.
The last thing we want is to move and struggle to make ends meet.
I appreciate everyones advice.
Thanks

A Rush And A Push

If that is your only income, I'd say no to Auckland (and I am in general a big fan of NZ). In Auckland you will probably be paying upwards of $500 rent a week for a house in a decent area. Add to that groceries ($200 a week, maybe less), electricity, petrol, car maintenance, phones, internet, insurance, basic purchases of clothes or a toaster or whatever it is you need that week - you will have virtually nothing left.

We are a family of 4 in Auckland and our monthly budget for "basics" is $4000. That's for mortgage, electricity, rates (you don't pay them if you're renting), phone, Internet, Sky, school bits and pieces (uniform, school trips etc), car, house and contents insurance, the occasional meal out or night out or trip somewhere with the kids. Ok, they are not all strictly basics, we could live without Sky or the occasional night out of course but life would be pretty dull.

You might manage on that income somewhere outside of Auckland where rents are cheaper? I'm not sure though.

bourbon-biscuit

That's a tight budget for Auckland and probably won't feel at all comfortable; sorry

westie1234

You could make do with that wage in waiuku as I stated before. travelling to Manakau will be ok.

As an example
3 Bedroom - Realestate.co.nz