How much really??
Sep 14th 2011, 11:17 am
#31
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 250
Re: How much really??
Mate. Don't even try to go there with me in this way. I'm not sad. Sad and me don't go together. I'm realistic. Very realistic It's in my nature.
This is possible in the UK. More than possible. Our friends and family are doing this all the time. I was doing that back in the UK. A single parent friend of mine just did a 2 week camping trip down to Devon . No sweat.
If you're not happy where you are & think a move to NZ will help all of that then that is fine , however, please don't try to undermine others - my - experiences here. We live it.
This is possible in the UK. More than possible. Our friends and family are doing this all the time. I was doing that back in the UK. A single parent friend of mine just did a 2 week camping trip down to Devon . No sweat.
If you're not happy where you are & think a move to NZ will help all of that then that is fine , however, please don't try to undermine others - my - experiences here. We live it.
Sep 14th 2011, 11:20 am
#32
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: How much really??
I've been pondering about this question due to recent threads so I hope I can ask this well so it will make sense so here goes.
There has been much debate about the cost of living in NZ and how expensive it is. I've never been under any illusion that I will make my fortune by going out to NZ as we want more of the outdoor living lifestyle.
Posts keep stating about this is expensive, that is expensive but I'm trying to understand this. The recession has hit most countries and everything is expensive these days. My shopping, running a car, household bills and childcare are killers and I feel I work to pay bills and not to live. I can't food shop for 'just bits' without spending £40-50 and believe you me I am a good budget shopper. All my bills have increased from insurance to household. I don't live beyond my means and I buy what I can afford.
How is NZ anymore expensive than the UK? I get confused sometimes with the talk of £ versus the $ and feel that possibly that some view NZ as expensive because it's not 3 for 1 anymore?? Therefore it's costly because the £ is not going as far as it use to and everything is compared. Still with me?? I know if I went to Australia with only £ and didn't have a job I would find it very expensive. But if I did have a job I would manage just like I do here by working hard and doing without.
As an example £40,000 in the UK is tough to live on in the UK with children, childcare etc but is $80,000 in NZ tough live off to? If so aren't both countries just as expensive because of the current economic climate?
I appreciate all the information people put on about expenses etc as it gets me thinking and helps make the ultimate decision of doing the right thing but I just really need to put the financial situation in perspective. Would appreciate others view and hope that I've explained myself clearly as sleep deprivation can impact upon your thought process/ability to speak!!
There has been much debate about the cost of living in NZ and how expensive it is. I've never been under any illusion that I will make my fortune by going out to NZ as we want more of the outdoor living lifestyle.
Posts keep stating about this is expensive, that is expensive but I'm trying to understand this. The recession has hit most countries and everything is expensive these days. My shopping, running a car, household bills and childcare are killers and I feel I work to pay bills and not to live. I can't food shop for 'just bits' without spending £40-50 and believe you me I am a good budget shopper. All my bills have increased from insurance to household. I don't live beyond my means and I buy what I can afford.
How is NZ anymore expensive than the UK? I get confused sometimes with the talk of £ versus the $ and feel that possibly that some view NZ as expensive because it's not 3 for 1 anymore?? Therefore it's costly because the £ is not going as far as it use to and everything is compared. Still with me?? I know if I went to Australia with only £ and didn't have a job I would find it very expensive. But if I did have a job I would manage just like I do here by working hard and doing without.
As an example £40,000 in the UK is tough to live on in the UK with children, childcare etc but is $80,000 in NZ tough live off to? If so aren't both countries just as expensive because of the current economic climate?
I appreciate all the information people put on about expenses etc as it gets me thinking and helps make the ultimate decision of doing the right thing but I just really need to put the financial situation in perspective. Would appreciate others view and hope that I've explained myself clearly as sleep deprivation can impact upon your thought process/ability to speak!!
Sep 14th 2011, 11:22 am
#33
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 250
Re: How much really??
Just wanted lots of views thats all and a good debate as its a huge decision. Apologises if Ive offended but I didnt think I had.
Last edited by Scousebird; Sep 14th 2011 at 11:29 am.
Sep 14th 2011, 11:28 am
#34
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: How much really??
You need to do some hard sums here. Forget all this guff about beaches and free time and free stuff. Do the hard sums. That is what will count for your own 'lifestyle'.
Sep 14th 2011, 11:53 am
#35
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,285
Re: How much really??
The outdoor lifestyle is there for sure....if you don't mind the increased skin cancer risk but at the end of the day your figures need to add up before you leave UK, because unless you get headhunted or posted by an international company, you will as others have said be expected to start a rung or two down apparently because of a 'lack of Kiwi experience'.
Look if you are in Merseyside, the one thing that will be better on the whole for you on North Island is the weather. Is that enough to make it worth the hassle and expense and then the frugal lifestyle that will be your reality if you can't get a high enough paying job to maintain your UK lifestyle?
What about trips back to UK? Will there be any? If so how will you fund those?
Look if you are in Merseyside, the one thing that will be better on the whole for you on North Island is the weather. Is that enough to make it worth the hassle and expense and then the frugal lifestyle that will be your reality if you can't get a high enough paying job to maintain your UK lifestyle?
What about trips back to UK? Will there be any? If so how will you fund those?
Sep 15th 2011, 4:54 am
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2002
Location: Christchurch NZ
Posts: 179
Re: How much really??
Hi Scousebird
It is a big “ask”, that which you have asked. The thing is, like most everyone has said, it really does depend on many variables, non more-so than the person asking the question, as only they know to what standard they expect to live. I guess you can be the one to narrow down the field a bit, ie your job/s, the area you wish to live, your lifestyle, type of vacations you like to do etc. It is no easy task, but there are websites you can find the cost of most things on, but it wont be easy. Other than that, try and gauge the feel of people on the forum who are living/working as you will be. Even then there will be some who are satisfied, and others who are not.
I know it is a major concern for most people when they move, especially if you have children with you, but there are other factors too, which for us anyway, seem as important, if not more so. Admittedly, we don’t have little ones, but even so, some things which we considered important before we moved, are less so now, and others which we never gave a though to, well they did catch us out somewhat.
I’m sorry if this doesn’t seem to help at all, but there are many here who are better qualified than me to answer the economics of it all, indeed you only have to look at the answers your question has generated, let alone past threads where all this has been poured over so many times.
In a nutshell, given that you would be earning around $80k, if you choose your location carefully, don’t want to live the highlife, and have mediocre expectations, then you should be fine.
All the very best with your decision whatever you do.
It is a big “ask”, that which you have asked. The thing is, like most everyone has said, it really does depend on many variables, non more-so than the person asking the question, as only they know to what standard they expect to live. I guess you can be the one to narrow down the field a bit, ie your job/s, the area you wish to live, your lifestyle, type of vacations you like to do etc. It is no easy task, but there are websites you can find the cost of most things on, but it wont be easy. Other than that, try and gauge the feel of people on the forum who are living/working as you will be. Even then there will be some who are satisfied, and others who are not.
I know it is a major concern for most people when they move, especially if you have children with you, but there are other factors too, which for us anyway, seem as important, if not more so. Admittedly, we don’t have little ones, but even so, some things which we considered important before we moved, are less so now, and others which we never gave a though to, well they did catch us out somewhat.
I’m sorry if this doesn’t seem to help at all, but there are many here who are better qualified than me to answer the economics of it all, indeed you only have to look at the answers your question has generated, let alone past threads where all this has been poured over so many times.
In a nutshell, given that you would be earning around $80k, if you choose your location carefully, don’t want to live the highlife, and have mediocre expectations, then you should be fine.
All the very best with your decision whatever you do.
Sep 15th 2011, 7:01 am
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Blenheim
Posts: 226
Re: How much really??
Really, i thought it was much different! my salary here is much less than i was on in the uk, and unfortunately the job is very much the same shit with better views lol most vacancies are full time (40hrs) with CYf you have to work on call approx every three weeks but this depends on the area you work and the size of the office, case loads here are higher than i had in the uk which can be difficult to manage but that also depends on the area as we cover a large area. CYF and health are covered by a collective agreement if your in the union so leave tends to be set at 4 weeks, not sure about sick leave to be honest i know i get some just not sure how much. Perhaps it would help if you gave an idea of the areas you are looking at?
The reality is that NZ is expensive to live thou, and most of the posts on here will reflect that, but to me its better to have the reality, from the people that know as when we are in the throws of our planning we tend to look through rose tinted glasses! well i did anyway. I have now accepted that i cant do half as much here as i did in the uk, and that my rent here is much higher, my food is def more expensive and my bills are higher.
Doom and gloom aside i am quite happy here at the moment, and am having fun exploring the country side and the many beaches which are free, and the semi positive side is that i save money as the clothes are shite so i dont buy anything lol.
good luck with what ever you choose to do
Sep 15th 2011, 8:46 am
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
Re: How much really??
I've been pondering about this question due to recent threads so I hope I can ask this well so it will make sense so here goes.
There has been much debate about the cost of living in NZ and how expensive it is. I've never been under any illusion that I will make my fortune by going out to NZ as we want more of the outdoor living lifestyle.
Posts keep stating about this is expensive, that is expensive but I'm trying to understand this. The recession has hit most countries and everything is expensive these days. My shopping, running a car, household bills and childcare are killers and I feel I work to pay bills and not to live. I can't food shop for 'just bits' without spending £40-50 and believe you me I am a good budget shopper. All my bills have increased from insurance to household. I don't live beyond my means and I buy what I can afford.
How is NZ anymore expensive than the UK? I get confused sometimes with the talk of £ versus the $ and feel that possibly that some view NZ as expensive because it's not 3 for 1 anymore?? Therefore it's costly because the £ is not going as far as it use to and everything is compared. Still with me?? I know if I went to Australia with only £ and didn't have a job I would find it very expensive. But if I did have a job I would manage just like I do here by working hard and doing without.
As an example £40,000 in the UK is tough to live on in the UK with children, childcare etc but is $80,000 in NZ tough live off to? If so aren't both countries just as expensive because of the current economic climate?
I appreciate all the information people put on about expenses etc as it gets me thinking and helps make the ultimate decision of doing the right thing but I just really need to put the financial situation in perspective. Would appreciate others view and hope that I've explained myself clearly as sleep deprivation can impact upon your thought process/ability to speak!!
There has been much debate about the cost of living in NZ and how expensive it is. I've never been under any illusion that I will make my fortune by going out to NZ as we want more of the outdoor living lifestyle.
Posts keep stating about this is expensive, that is expensive but I'm trying to understand this. The recession has hit most countries and everything is expensive these days. My shopping, running a car, household bills and childcare are killers and I feel I work to pay bills and not to live. I can't food shop for 'just bits' without spending £40-50 and believe you me I am a good budget shopper. All my bills have increased from insurance to household. I don't live beyond my means and I buy what I can afford.
How is NZ anymore expensive than the UK? I get confused sometimes with the talk of £ versus the $ and feel that possibly that some view NZ as expensive because it's not 3 for 1 anymore?? Therefore it's costly because the £ is not going as far as it use to and everything is compared. Still with me?? I know if I went to Australia with only £ and didn't have a job I would find it very expensive. But if I did have a job I would manage just like I do here by working hard and doing without.
As an example £40,000 in the UK is tough to live on in the UK with children, childcare etc but is $80,000 in NZ tough live off to? If so aren't both countries just as expensive because of the current economic climate?
I appreciate all the information people put on about expenses etc as it gets me thinking and helps make the ultimate decision of doing the right thing but I just really need to put the financial situation in perspective. Would appreciate others view and hope that I've explained myself clearly as sleep deprivation can impact upon your thought process/ability to speak!!
Sep 15th 2011, 9:24 am
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: How much really??
I would have thought that you would know most of the score already, you lived here before, didn't you? I doubt much has changed, cost of living has gone up, wages haven't
People will tell you they're not motivated by money and that lifestyle will compensate. That's easier said than done and they won't know how they will feel about that until the money is no longer there. I wonder why don't they already live that 'simpler' life, why haven't they already abandoned the materialistic ways that they so long to get away from? Why do they continue to spend all they earn and more and hence aren't coming here well cotchelled up.
Sep 16th 2011, 9:42 pm
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2002
Location: Christchurch NZ
Posts: 179
Re: How much really??
One thing I will say and that is when we first got here, we couldn’t understand why so many people looked so scruffy, and had old cars, shabby unpainted houses etc. I admit, I thought many folk here were generally just unkempt because they knew no better. When we actually started to look at DIY materials, clothing shops for ourselves, we realised that to purchase a tin of emulsion paint is actually quite a big deal for many folk, seeing as it can cost the equivalent of someone’s daily wage!
Lets put it another way, if you were on minimum wage, and you wanted a big tub of Dulux, it would be more like two days wages!!!!
I know this is only one of ten thousand examples, but it did seem to give us some perspective.
Lets put it another way, if you were on minimum wage, and you wanted a big tub of Dulux, it would be more like two days wages!!!!
I know this is only one of ten thousand examples, but it did seem to give us some perspective.
Sep 16th 2011, 11:42 pm
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 59
Re: How much really??
I only read the first page or so.......I earn about the same here as I did in the UK as does my wife. We DO have more money at the end of the week and in fact save money which is something I have never been able to do at home.
More than that, the weather is better, the beaches are nicer and there are a LOT less people/cars/houses/trucks.....etc.
I went to the beach (Less crowded) more times in 3 months than in ten years at home. I go out with the family every weekend in the summer (and spend little if I don't want to)........that's the life style I moved out here for. I came with no money and have to send money home to cover the mortgage,.........would I move back? Would I bollox.........there are shit loads wrong with this country but FOR ME there a shit load MORE that's right.
More than that, the weather is better, the beaches are nicer and there are a LOT less people/cars/houses/trucks.....etc.
I went to the beach (Less crowded) more times in 3 months than in ten years at home. I go out with the family every weekend in the summer (and spend little if I don't want to)........that's the life style I moved out here for. I came with no money and have to send money home to cover the mortgage,.........would I move back? Would I bollox.........there are shit loads wrong with this country but FOR ME there a shit load MORE that's right.
Sep 16th 2011, 11:52 pm
#42
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,111
Re: How much really??
The biggest rip off I've had so far was down in St Heliers, I'd run out of a cheap Nasal spray I take, in the UK they were £1.95 from any supermarket. I took the empty one down to the Chemist and asked for the Kiwi equivalent. The woman behind the counter picked their cheapest alternative and asked for $26. I nearly choked, I said I wasn't paying 7 times the price, she just shrugged her shoulders and said 'welcome to New Zealand'.
Time and time again I'm horrified how much basic things are, with the dollar been so high imports should be cheap. If there's one thing really proving hard for us and a possible reason we'll go home is the cost of living. When I've slogged my bollocks off all week at work and going for a few beers costs the earth I seriously worry about our future in NZ.
It's a bloody good job the beaches are stunning.
Time and time again I'm horrified how much basic things are, with the dollar been so high imports should be cheap. If there's one thing really proving hard for us and a possible reason we'll go home is the cost of living. When I've slogged my bollocks off all week at work and going for a few beers costs the earth I seriously worry about our future in NZ.
It's a bloody good job the beaches are stunning.
Sep 19th 2011, 12:24 am
#43
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: How much really??
I only read the first page or so.......I earn about the same here as I did in the UK as does my wife. We DO have more money at the end of the week and in fact save money which is something I have never been able to do at home.
More than that, the weather is better, the beaches are nicer and there are a LOT less people/cars/houses/trucks.....etc.
I went to the beach (Less crowded) more times in 3 months than in ten years at home. I go out with the family every weekend in the summer (and spend little if I don't want to)........that's the life style I moved out here for. I came with no money and have to send money home to cover the mortgage,.........would I move back? Would I bollox.........there are shit loads wrong with this country but FOR ME there a shit load MORE that's right.
More than that, the weather is better, the beaches are nicer and there are a LOT less people/cars/houses/trucks.....etc.
I went to the beach (Less crowded) more times in 3 months than in ten years at home. I go out with the family every weekend in the summer (and spend little if I don't want to)........that's the life style I moved out here for. I came with no money and have to send money home to cover the mortgage,.........would I move back? Would I bollox.........there are shit loads wrong with this country but FOR ME there a shit load MORE that's right.
Karrma for the post Witty as it offers balance to the thread in terms of lifestyle wanted and gained.
For the record. I'm not unhappy here. It is what it is and it's OK for the most part. Not awful. Not great.
Sep 19th 2011, 10:36 am
#44
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 30
Re: How much really??
This is just so funny....
QUOTE
Range of typical starting salaries: £23,500 - £30,000 (salary data collected Aug 09).
Range of typical salaries in first management roles (with two or three years' experience): £30,000 - £42,000 (salary data collected Aug 09).
Typical salary at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role): £57,000 (salary data collected Aug 09)
So how come after 25 years working as a senior graphic designer I am at the celing salary of just £26K? If I was to move job in the local area, I would end up dropping down the salary scale ...and who gets a managerial role after 2 to 3 years experience? - cloud cookoo land!
QUOTE
Range of typical starting salaries: £23,500 - £30,000 (salary data collected Aug 09).
Range of typical salaries in first management roles (with two or three years' experience): £30,000 - £42,000 (salary data collected Aug 09).
Typical salary at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role): £57,000 (salary data collected Aug 09)
So how come after 25 years working as a senior graphic designer I am at the celing salary of just £26K? If I was to move job in the local area, I would end up dropping down the salary scale ...and who gets a managerial role after 2 to 3 years experience? - cloud cookoo land!
Sep 19th 2011, 10:54 am
#45
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: How much really??
So how come after 25 years working as a senior graphic designer I am at the celing salary of just £26K? If I was to move job in the local area, I would end up dropping down the salary scale ...and who gets a managerial role after 2 to 3 years experience? - cloud cookoo land!
