Honest experiences of NZ life
#31
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
The one thing that is cheaper is running a car, but the likelyhood of you owning more cars is significantly higher, car ownership is very high, it seems every kid, adult and pensioner has their own wheels. It's very very difficult to get by on one car, we managed it fine in the UK, it was a bit of a struggle in Auckland but it's impossible here in Dunedin.
After 5 years NZ is really getting to us as you can probably pick up on, we miss seeing a bit of life, being able to go visit different places and having the freedom to go out and do things. I'd love to book a holiday to Aussie or the pacific islands but we're too busy spending our money on $6 cucumbers.
#32
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
I am almost 60 and about to be offered a job, on a full shift system, as a trainee for around $50k. I consider this very good pay in a small town like mine, inspite of including a full shift allowance. The top end of my pay scale will be about $61k.
However, due to my age I am mortgage free and have savings, so a salary of $50k, whilst not big by any standard means I will have about $800 (after tax) to spend each week.
In NZ you get charged tax from the 1st cent you earn. Here are the NZ tax rates. https://www.google.co.nz/webhp?sourc...x%20rates%20nz
However, due to my age I am mortgage free and have savings, so a salary of $50k, whilst not big by any standard means I will have about $800 (after tax) to spend each week.
In NZ you get charged tax from the 1st cent you earn. Here are the NZ tax rates. https://www.google.co.nz/webhp?sourc...x%20rates%20nz
#33
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Thanks everyone. So key things - have realistic expectations; you don't know until you get there; make sure everyone is happy with the idea (we're moving because we want to, not because one of us has a job!); don't rush to buy a house; key thing - have a back up plan in case it doesn't work!!!
#34
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
I looked up the first 4 items on Matts list at Countdown NZ and Tesco UK, taking the cheapest price from each, then converting NZ dollars to pounds at todays exchange rate. Dozen eggs £1.82 NZ £1.75 UK, Milk per litre £0.82 NZ £0.44 UK, Can Heinz baked beans £1.03 NZ £0.75 UK, 24 330ml cans Heineken £20.8 NZ £18 UK. Remembering that the pound has tanked 20% since Brexit. 2 weeks ago the total prices of these goods would be even stevens.
#35
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
I looked up the first 4 items on Matts list at Countdown NZ and Tesco UK, taking the cheapest price from each, then converting NZ dollars to pounds at todays exchange rate. Dozen eggs £1.82 NZ £1.75 UK, Milk per litre £0.82 NZ £0.44 UK, Can Heinz baked beans £1.03 NZ £0.75 UK, 24 330ml cans Heineken £20.8 NZ £18 UK. Remembering that the pound has tanked 20% since Brexit. 2 weeks ago the total prices of these goods would be even stevens.
Baked Beans - Countdown Watties $2 - Asda Heinz 75p (1.5x times the price)
Milk - Countdown Asda 38p per litre - Countdown $1.38 per litre (double the price)
I was talking about beer in the pubs, not the supermarkets, I don't buy beer to drink at home. The pubs are about twice as expensive (probably more considering the small measures here), you can still get a pint for under 2 quid back home in town.
My friend moved home to the UK from Dunedin a few weeks ago, he messaged me the other day all excited saying his weekly shop had reduced to 50 quid and that included some beer and cider too, less than half what he was spending here in Dunedin.
Last edited by barnsleymat; Jul 23rd 2016 at 1:38 am.
#36
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Again I agree with Matt, from my real life honest experience even the cheapest free range eggs in Pak n Save con't compare with what Sainsburys have as their everyday normal price.
Yesterday Pak n Save had eggs on special offer at $5.49 - bearing in mind these were shortdated (use by 30th July) and ungraded (read hit an miss random sizes) at the other end of the spectrum without even trying to save money or dumbing down to basement bargain level you can get 12 large free range eggs in Sainsburys for GBP 2.25 the cheapest in Countdown today is $6.80
Yesterday Pak n Save had eggs on special offer at $5.49 - bearing in mind these were shortdated (use by 30th July) and ungraded (read hit an miss random sizes) at the other end of the spectrum without even trying to save money or dumbing down to basement bargain level you can get 12 large free range eggs in Sainsburys for GBP 2.25 the cheapest in Countdown today is $6.80
#37
Life is what YOU make it.
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 3,312
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Why why when someone comes onto this forum to ask for info do we always seem to get down to arguing about the price of blood cucumbers. If they are investigating a major move to NZ then I give them the credit of being able to google the price of vegetables.....
#38
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
I'm going to call it the Cucumber Effect.
#39
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Countdown eggs cheapest 3.50 per dozen or 0.29 each. Free range cheapest $6 dozen or 50c each. Not 90c. Just being real. Usually cheaper at fruit and veg stores.
#40
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Unpolluted by people and much more more freedom in all areas, but this also includes the right to fall off mountains, drown in beach rips and get lost in the untracked bush (I think Kiwis consider this 'evolution in action).
Want a lifestyle block with animals, grow your own fruit veg? Want to go fishing (incl trout/salmon), skiing, boating, hunting (all very expensive in Europe). Into sport? NZ is for you.
Good restaurants, but no pub or nightlife outside the cities and Kiwis don't seem to do things like dinner parties (very family centred). Backyard BBQ's seem to be the main activity but then I don't remember my neighbours in UK being that sociable.
It could be considered dull if you don't make your own entertainment and can't afford to get offshore at least every other year. I agree you become blase about the stunning scenery (unless you are a photographer) very quickly.
The main factor is NZ is a foreign country where the locals speak English!
Want a lifestyle block with animals, grow your own fruit veg? Want to go fishing (incl trout/salmon), skiing, boating, hunting (all very expensive in Europe). Into sport? NZ is for you.
Good restaurants, but no pub or nightlife outside the cities and Kiwis don't seem to do things like dinner parties (very family centred). Backyard BBQ's seem to be the main activity but then I don't remember my neighbours in UK being that sociable.
It could be considered dull if you don't make your own entertainment and can't afford to get offshore at least every other year. I agree you become blase about the stunning scenery (unless you are a photographer) very quickly.
The main factor is NZ is a foreign country where the locals speak English!
#41
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Its easy to check Matt. Just do a typical shop at Countdown.co.nz and the same items at a UK supermarket. Multiply the NZ shop by 0.52 and there you have the comparative spend. Be worth it if sparklyfrog wants factual stuff to go on.
#43
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Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
Sparklyfrog, just be aware that if a beachy lifestyle is an objective, then Wellington doesnt really meet that criteria compared to other places. Its a nice city but I dont think many would describe it as beachy. Maybe Auckland, Tauranga or Napier would better fit that bill.
#44
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Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
But youre always saying its very windy there? If sparkly wants a beach lifestyle there are better beach towns and cities where you can sit on a calm beach and have a picnic.
#45
Life is what YOU make it.
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 3,312
Re: Honest experiences of NZ life
I think it's important to highlight the difference. I bet we spend at the very minimum $120 more a week on groceries here, over a year that's more than $6000, about the price of a trip for the 3 of us back to the UK to see family.
I'm going to call it the Cucumber Effect.
I'm going to call it the Cucumber Effect.