Cassa

Not got a lot going for me have I? So far on this forum I have been called a snob and dour. Oh well could be worse I suppose. I could spend my day calling other people names for no reason.

For the record I don't think that Tayberry is dour at all. But then I would say that as I don't think I am either.

sunshine_and_rain

No-one called anyone Dour - if you read my orginal posting I actulally called my Grandmother Dour, something she herself would not have taken offense to I am sure. I have apologised for it, was not intended to offend. Hopefully, we'll all get on with the original thread now hey? No-one is spending all day calling other people names either - shall we move onwards and upwards

Cassa

Actually Damages called Tayberry and I dour so, yes, there was a little name calling!

Such is life.

ranbysue

Hi Again

I have just clicked onto this web page again and was surprised to see how many replies had been entered.

Sunshine and Rain, I teach social and life skills in a prison education department 2 days per week. I am a fully qualified lecturer in adult education and have also taught a cabin crew course ( as I used to be an air stewardess {europe only}) at our local college for 10 weeks. I am newly qualified and my main job is as a mortgage advisor for a building society in the UK(for now). However, I do not have a specialist subject behind me and could not teach in a school.

Please all of you - who is nearer to the truth then on NZ, as Tayberry and S & R seem to have totally opposite experiences of life over there, especially regarding to how you would survive on a salary of $36,000. Although if we went to live in NZ I would plan to work at least p/t.

Anyway thanks so much for all your advice and good wishes.

Tayberry I agree with S & R about the house prices in UK. They are astronomical. Five years ago I bought my 3 bed detached house for £88000 it is now worth £220,000 but salaries not rising at the same rate!! Crime here is getting out of control too, with a severe lack of law enforcement in the cities and big towns. Being politically correct is the order of the day in the UK under the present Government, with anyone who works to earn a living being penalised. NHS has huge waiting lists with the superbug MRSA seriously on the rise in many hospitals, which, the papers say is down to uncleanliness. School classrooms in many areas are in chaos as teachers are restricted severely with regards to punishment for bad behaviour etc, this is mainly due to human rights law restricting what others can and can't do (in every area of our lives). I don't want my children to be attacked in the street when they are teenagers by other teenagers who do it just to take pictures on their mobile phones to have a laugh at with their friends!! This is the latest craze here. Or for them to be attacked walking home from a night out by a gang of 14 year olds just for the fun of it - and then the 14 year olds get caught but get let off by the judge with a caution ( even though it was their 35th offence!!)

I'll move on - Some parts of Scotland may be a little cheaper than England regarding property but my Gran lives in southern scotland (I was there over Easter) and house prices have rocketed, even in her small village.

Anyway better go to bed now and get some sleep!!

Wish you well though on your return and thanks for all your replies.

By the way what is the NHS equivalent like in NZ and is there waiting lists for treatment/operations etc?

sunshine_and_rain

Hi Again

We obviously have had very different experiences, butwe also all live in 3 different places. I have said before that I don't really like Auckland and wouldn't live there myself but my sister-in-law is very happy there - she is a Pharmacy Technician. Its alwats personal experience that governs the advice we will all give you. Mine has been mainly positive. My negatives are all personal really - ie, missing my friends and family and the shopping over there!! The salary thing - well I think that is would be very hard on $40,000 a year in Auckland - is there any chance you can travel into Auckland and live somewhere like Pukekhoe?? Very nice town and lots commute to Auckland from there. It would still be nota great wage but more manageable - especially if you are going to go back to work part-time and top it up. I am not going to say it will be easy - but do-able! If you are going to sell your house the positive equity will more than help you out though. I guess like I said its down to how badly you want to come. It may well just be the route into NZ - and then once you have your residency you can go where you like and work at what you like! It may well be worth you looking at Adult lecturing vacancies here - as if you ar qualified that may well be an avenue worth exploring. I know that the college here in Rotorua as advertisied for lecturers before now. Anyway, as for NHS equivalent - both my husband and I work within the health system. Its not terrible at all - but its not as good as the NHS either. However, I have to say there are lots of initiatives nationally to improve things. Yes there are still waiting lists but I don't think you will find them as long as some of the lists in the UK. I still think its all swings and round-a-bouts. Some things are better, some things are worse, it eally depends on what you want from life. Speaking as a MOther to 2 children - NZ is far far better and safer to raise your children. I read the nes about that young woman stabbed and paralysed in front of her 21 month old son - after he had held the knife to her son!! It just gets worse over there, and whilst its not perfect here - its definately better. My childen play outside, call for their mates and live a life not overshadowed by their mother constantly keeping a vigil on them. You only get one childhood and I think my children are getting a better life here - and they are the main reason we are here, aside from anything else that was our main cause for our decision to come here - and for myself to do my best to make it work for their sakes. If T ans C have had bad experiences or prefer the UK then that is fine too, and their opinion is just as valid as anybody else's here - like I said its all swings and roundabouts. However neither of them have children (at the moment) and that plays a HUGE part in your future decisions once they are here and change your lives completely. Even then NZ id good for some, and not for others. We're all different. I know this doesn't help you - and its not intended to make your mind up for you - only you can do that - only to tell it like it is for me and my family. I am off to the Movies now with my friend and our 4 children, and the park - and tomorrow we are going to the Lake if the weather permits, my dog loves it there! Take Care - and stay sane.

Tayberry

Hello Sue!!

First of all, in relation to your query about whether a family could manage on $36000, it depends on many, many things. This salary for a kick off is below the national average. Do you have children, if so, how many and how old are they because this will obviously affect your finances? Also, where would you consider living? Again, I know this is stating the obvious but if you are thinking about the major cities i.e Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson blah blah blah, you're going to pay more for housing/rent. (Sorry if this is sounding horridly patronising!!). Will you have a mortgage? I think this will play a huge role in determining your ability to manage on this kind of salary. The other thing to consider is what kind of lifestyle do you lead i.e expensive hobbies, predisposition to shop like a lunatic (i.e. that's me), wining and dining? I am going to say no, you wont manage on this salary alone, even for 1 person.

I think you may have got me muddled up with Cassa, Sue with regards to house prices!!! I don't own a house in NZ-I rent. Cassa did mention the cost of housing vis a vis, Scotland in particular. I agree, the housing costs in the UK in general, have been way out of control for too long now. I know the market is slowing down but it's not slowing down fast enough for me!!!


With regards to waiting times etc, it depends if you choose to go private or stay within the mainstream services. Just like in the UK, with say BUPA, you can have your ops pretty much within a couple of weeks. If you stay in the mainstream, well, I'm not sure at all. I don't work in the secondary care sector so I really am not the person to ask. Primary care is the area that I work in. Maybe other forum members might be able to help you though!

Take care and kind regards, Iona

ranbysue

Hi Tayberry and S & R

Thank you both for your replies, they are very useful. To answer your question about the ages of the children Tayberry.

A boy of 9

A girl of 7

This is a run down of our/their weekly scheduled after school activities. This will give you an idea of our lifestyle.

Monday - Rainbows for my daughter and athletics for my son

Tuesday Swimming lessons for my daughter, Football training for my footy mad Son

Wednesday - Nothing!!!!! sigh of relief. Weight watchers for me though (but not working)!

Thursday - Ballet, tap and modern dancing for daughter and 5-6.30pm and 6.30-7.30 another session of athletics for my son (who has been picked to run in team {even more commital time}

Friday - Swimming lessons for son

Saturday - Golf for my son at 1pm (I often work sat mornings)

Sunday - Football matches (home and away) 7pm swimming club for son (again very good at this and football so have to also get involved in regular saturday night Galas in Nottingham - 30 miles away)!

That is our never ending round of activities with Football being my son's first greatest love. He lives and breathes it and in fact any sport. he also plays snooker with his Grandad every other saturday at the snooker club.

So you can see our life is hectic. In between all of this we go out for meals, also go to McDonalds. I am also a sucker for splashing out on childrens clothes, both designer and Tesco/Asda, M & S etc. I go around in rags!!

Anyway I think we will get the interview out of the way at the end of May or at least my husband will and if he manages to get the job then we will have to make our final decision from there.

PS have read a previos thread where many UK prison officers have aplied for these jobs and the replies from people in NZ are quite worrying as they all seem to think that the salaries are far too low and that the only reason NZ government is recruiting from UK is because they cannon retain their existing staff due to low pay and not so good working, sickness, holiday package.

I have looked into going to OZ for the same job but its nigh on impossible to get in there unless you are in the medical profession.

Suzanne