Hi
 

Just found this site today. I have PR and activated my visa 3 weeks ago. Just got back and loved NZ. Want to settle in Christchurch.

I am a single parent with a 4 year old son. Would like a new life away from the UK but have a few concerns over the cost of living in NZ. Especially with the low wages. I am a molecular biologist and will have to take a 12K pay cut in NZ :eek: So still a little undecided about making the move despite of falling in love with the country.

Re: Hi
 

That's the toughie for most people. There are loads of lovely people who post on here from Chch. I'm sure they could give you some ideas on rent, wages etc.

But, the way I see it, if you have been before and you know you like it, and you are not being unrealistic, then I would choose location and quality of life every time. Would you miss your family though? Do you have much support from them with your child?

Re: Hi
 

Hi Jude

My family do help with my little boy as far as babysitting the odd night and like today when I wake up and he has a temperature of 38.5, I can call on aunties to have him while I go to work. So I guess I will miss them but that is something I hope would get easier with time. It is the money that is my main concern. Although I would like the better life style that comes with NZ, I am not sure that I am ready to give up my standard of living. I like to have money in the bank and enjoy luxuries like lots of clothes etc. So I am really really undecided.....................got 2 years to make my mind up!!!!!

Re: Hi
 

Hi there

Will your circumstances in the UK allow you to "dip your toes" in NZ for 12-18 months?? Perhaps this would be an option to see how different your lifestyle would actually be. There certainly are elements to living out here that make things seem more expensive, but there are others aspects that are cheaper - groceries for instance. We've had many visitors from the UK and they all can't believe how cheap everything is - I continually point out to them that they are converting everything back into pounds. Until you work out what your spending is in dollars each month it is difficutl to really get a feel as to whether your lifestyle would be drastically different.
Keep researching, and ask as many questions as you feel you need to - the site has been extremely informative to me and my family over the last couple of years.
Good luck.