Justcol

I hope it works for you

Just remember, if you have problems they don't go away just because you live on the other side of the world. If anything, they are magnified. The number of divorced expats is ridiculous

simonsi

Where did you get that figure from? https://www.stats.govt.nz says $959/week or $49868 annualised for 2017. Seek's <advertised> salary figure for 2015 was around that figure but that won't reflect the average of the workforce.

movingtonewzealand

I second that Simonsi - average wage is about 50k I thought.

Definitely give it a go here, especially when you don't have anything holding you there; and it's great you've got a job offer so the hard bits done.

After your medicals & police checks (and prove you've lived with your wife in a 'stable and loving relationship'for at least 12 months) you'll be all good.

We didn't visit NZ before we arrived here nearly 2 years ago. It was a change but one for the better. If we had kids we would have struggled to begin with as cost of groceries etc is very high. As you don't have kids, with $100,000 income from both your wages, you'll have a good enough lifestyle.

jarv5116

Hello Guys,
just a quick update
got my visa through today on a work to residence visa woop woo
New Zealand here I come.
Its been quite long process paperwork wise and stressfull with police records and medicals that had few hicups.
but we got there in the end and got our visas sorted.
Also like to add this sites been a blessing reading old threads for info and getting advice
Thanks Guys n Gals x.

Clappy

Well I never! Somebody that appreciates the feedback that they get from this forum. We should have him stuffed!

Good luck with the move. At that wage level in that part of the country it will not be easy-street by any stretch of the imagination but some people do survive like that here and there is only one way to find out if it will work for you.

jarv5116

do you not think 100-110k between the two of us with no kids would be enough?

Bo-Jangles

It will be just 'enough' for most people to live a fairly basic and no frills life in Aucks but will of course depend on your needs and wants and most of all will depend mostly on the type of place and area that you choose to live.

escapedtonz

Lets assume a combined $110k with you both earning $55k each.
Normally, salaries are paid fortnightly in NZ and it'd be good for you guys to arrange your salaries so they are paid alternate fortnights so you are never more than 2 weeks without a salary going in.
So, per fortnight and assuming you opt in for 3% Kiwisaver, your net pay after PAYE (income tax) and ACC contribution :-
$1656 per fortnight (equivalent of $828 per week or $3589 per month).
If you opted out of Kiwisaver this would give you an additional $32 per week, $64 per fortnight or $137.50 per month more as net pay.
Kiwisaver is a savings scheme for retirement. You can opt in to pay 3, 4 or 8% of your basic salary and your employer may match your contributions up to 4%.

Now all you need to do is work out your outgoings to see if you can afford to live here so consider what your expenses will be.

jarv5116

how does over 2k a week go down to 800 a week

escapedtonz

Just like this, but it is 2k a week GROSS combined and 800 a week NET each so $1600 combined.
Also bear in mind you are taxed on all income. You don't get a tax free allowance here, but you'll pay less tax overall as the rates and thresholds are different.

Your individual $55k per annum salary works out at $1058 per week each GROSS
PAYE $183 each per week
ACC $15 each per week
Kiwisaver $32 each per week
Take home $828.18 each per week NET

Clappy

'No Kids' will help a lot.

My wife and I (no kids) survived in Auckland with 80K for one year. It was a big help that our car and furniture was paid for using money that we brought with us and not money that we were earning.

Bo-Jangles

You can live relatively cheaply and costs are more manageable if you are renting or house sharing - the really expensive stuff only really starts to hurt if you intend to buy a house and then the unexpected bills, nasty ouchy surprises can be found lurking in every direction. If you buy a place then the really painful big ouchy stuff will likely comes with it; new oven $2000 ouch, new hot water tank $2000 + ouch, tin of paint $150 double ouch ouch.

jarv5116

150 for tin paint lmao
thats like 75 quid a tin
take it u dont get oan brand paints

only way im really going to find out is by giving it a go and see how it goes.

escapedtonz

100-110k should be doable for 2 adults in Auckland so long as you don't go mad on the rent. Maybe house share with others instead of paying out the whole nine yards on your own place or rent something smaller like a sleepout or small cottage.

Not having kids will surely keep costs down.

So long as you are careful with the pennies you'll be fine and that means not buying paint or liquid gold as I call it, don't visit the dentist unless you get a deal cos they're scandalous prices and never buy fruit and veggies that are out of season.

Justcol

I'm working in Auckland with people who are earning around that much, they have families, rents to pay, and are doing ok
Dont worry