This isn't easy

Old May 22nd 2008, 9:13 am
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Default This isn't easy

Isn't life funny, eh?

Here I am, a Kiwi in London with a Peruvian wife and 3 kids (1,3,5), working in a specialised IT field.

My parents and sister live in Dunedin, NZ and I've been planning, over many years, to move closer to them. BTW, my Mum grew up in OZ and my Dad in NZ.

My original plan centred around finding a city in Australasia that would suit my need for space and proximity to family and my wife’s big city background (Lima, Madrid, London). We thought initially that Oz, rather than NZ, would offer this.

Due to my wife’s visa position, I decided to play safe and get Oz PR but that required state sponsorship and only Melbourne looked to fit the bill. After many £s and paper work, we achieved that. Unfortunately, the reccie did not impress my wife too much. There were many positives but the main issues were: Flies, dry heat and reliance on drying air-conditioning, drought, bush fires, very unpredictable weather with extreme heat and the Australian “robust” personality (both a pro and con, this last one). On top of this, to go there without a job offer? The Mrs was not happy with this prospect.

Ok, so now I decided on a new tack, looking at the issue from the other end. The new approach would be “job first, location second”.

My specialist area is remarkably strong downunder. So what has happened is I have received one definite, written offer from a company in Christchurch and one almost done deal (they’ve just told me they’d waive the 2nd interview) for a company in Sydney at the same time. Are jobs really like buses?

OK, decision time.

The difference in base remuneration is approximately 17% more in the Sydney job but looking at them in relation average rents, the Christchurch salary seems to go further.

Both have a good feel, are growing in a strong market and look to offer good prospects.

Chch company is a subsidiary of a large government owed company with approx 75 people and clients in OZ/NZ/Canada and future USA

Sydney company is a private, global company with 150 in the Sydney office and clients worldwide.

Chch as created a special role for me that is senior to others. The Sydney role is senior too, but 1 of 6 similar roles.

Chch is closer to Dunedin. Sydney is more cosmopolitan. Chch has less traffic, Sydney is warmer (or too warm).

Also, as I will not be able to sell my house in London, I will have to rent it out. Now, as a returning resident to NZ, I would not have to pay tax on the rental income for 4 years from arrival in NZ. This is a one-time offer.

The list goes on. Time to flip a coin?

Last edited by fnord; May 22nd 2008 at 9:25 am. Reason: Added tax issue
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Old May 22nd 2008, 10:06 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by fnord
Isn't life funny, eh?

Here I am, a Kiwi in London with a Peruvian wife and 3 kids (1,3,5), working in a specialised IT field.

My parents and sister live in Dunedin, NZ and I've been planning, over many years, to move closer to them. BTW, my Mum grew up in OZ and my Dad in NZ.

My original plan centred around finding a city in Australasia that would suit my need for space and proximity to family and my wife’s big city background (Lima, Madrid, London). We thought initially that Oz, rather than NZ, would offer this.

Due to my wife’s visa position, I decided to play safe and get Oz PR but that required state sponsorship and only Melbourne looked to fit the bill. After many £s and paper work, we achieved that. Unfortunately, the reccie did not impress my wife too much. There were many positives but the main issues were: Flies, dry heat and reliance on drying air-conditioning, drought, bush fires, very unpredictable weather with extreme heat and the Australian “robust” personality (both a pro and con, this last one). On top of this, to go there without a job offer? The Mrs was not happy with this prospect.

Ok, so now I decided on a new tack, looking at the issue from the other end. The new approach would be “job first, location second”.

My specialist area is remarkably strong downunder. So what has happened is I have received one definite, written offer from a company in Christchurch and one almost done deal (they’ve just told me they’d waive the 2nd interview) for a company in Sydney at the same time. Are jobs really like buses?

OK, decision time.

The difference in base remuneration is approximately 17% more in the Sydney job but looking at them in relation average rents, the Christchurch salary seems to go further.

Both have a good feel, are growing in a strong market and look to offer good prospects.

Chch company is a subsidiary of a large government owed company with approx 75 people and clients in OZ/NZ/Canada and future USA

Sydney company is a private, global company with 150 in the Sydney office and clients worldwide.

Chch as created a special role for me that is senior to others. The Sydney role is senior too, but 1 of 6 similar roles.

Chch is closer to Dunedin. Sydney is more cosmopolitan. Chch has less traffic, Sydney is warmer (or too warm).

Also, as I will not be able to sell my house in London, I will have to rent it out. Now, as a returning resident to NZ, I would not have to pay tax on the rental income for 4 years from arrival in NZ. This is a one-time offer.

The list goes on. Time to flip a coin?
Christchurch every time. You are close to kin and your wife sounds like she may settle better in Ch.

Do it. Christchurch.

Let me know when you arrive.
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Old May 22nd 2008, 12:45 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Toss a coin.

On seeing the result if you think 'I'll try best of three', then you really want to do the other thing. If you are happy with the result then that is what you want to do.

Sorry if that is confusing.

Good luck anyway - sounds like a happy dilemma. Both are great cities.
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Old May 22nd 2008, 9:57 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

You said:
There were many positives but the main issues were: Flies, dry heat and reliance on drying air-conditioning, drought, bush fires, very unpredictable weather with extreme heat and the Australian “robust” personality (both a pro and con, this last one).

In many ways this isn't going to change a lot in Sydney. Ok you won't get bush fires along Pitt Street (but you can *see* them from Sydney quite easily). Though the stirrer in me would suggest that there are far fewer Australian’s in Sydney than you would think…

I am going to suggest Christchurch. Obviously if the weather was a big concern then Sydney has warmer weather year round.

Here is one thing in your favour should you chose Christchurch - if you wife does want to visit Sydney or Melbourne then there are a lot of cheap flight options to Sydney and Melbourne (Virgin, Jetstar, Air NZ, Qantas and I think even Emirates) where you could do some reccies.
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Old May 22nd 2008, 10:44 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Given the choice between Sydney and Chch, financial issues excluded, I'd say Christchurch every time. I'd live in Chch if I could get a good job in my field.

However given the choice between either of them and Melbourne I'd choose Melbourne.

In fact I did

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Old May 23rd 2008, 2:50 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

I've heard (but have no actual evidence, it's all pure hearsay) that Christchurch is the most unfriendly and racist part of New Zealand.

If, and I repeat, IF that is true, I wonder how the OP's wife will get on there?
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Old May 23rd 2008, 2:58 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by Avid
I've heard (but have no actual evidence, it's all pure hearsay) that Christchurch is the most unfriendly and racist part of New Zealand.

If, and I repeat, IF that is true, I wonder how the OP's wife will get on there?
I think you have no actual evidence because no actual evidence exists or could ever exist.

How the hell would you quantify such a statement? - "I'm just doing a poll. Are you racist?"

What a complete lot of rubbish.

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Old May 23rd 2008, 6:11 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Chch isn't overflowing with IT opportunities like Auckland or Wellington. What would happen if you didn't like your new employer? In Sydney you probably would have other options.

Just another view............
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Old May 23rd 2008, 6:36 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by Avid
I've heard (but have no actual evidence, it's all pure hearsay) that Christchurch is the most unfriendly and racist part of New Zealand.

If, and I repeat, IF that is true, I wonder how the OP's wife will get on there?
Avid, I have heard this too. From a great friend of mine who is Sri Lankan and was living in ChCh. She moved to Auckland in the end (which is great for me!), as she was treated so badly there. And unfortunately this is not an isolated case I believe.
rubbish maybe in some peoples experience, but in my friends case, not. She is much happier in multi cultural Auckland. Sad, but true I am afraid.
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Old May 23rd 2008, 8:34 am
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by Avid
I've heard (but have no actual evidence, it's all pure hearsay) that Christchurch is the most unfriendly and racist part of New Zealand.

If, and I repeat, IF that is true, I wonder how the OP's wife will get on there?
Yes, this is a concern, particular as my wife is often mistaken for Asian. My kiwi friend (chinese background) now living here in London, has a cousin, a doctor, who had enough unpleasant experiences in Chch to be forced to move on.

I've also read quite a lot of similar complaints. See here, for example.
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Old May 23rd 2008, 12:13 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by Avid
I've heard (but have no actual evidence, it's all pure hearsay) that Christchurch is the most unfriendly and racist part of New Zealand.

If, and I repeat, IF that is true, I wonder how the OP's wife will get on there?
I love, love, love Christchurch. It would be my city of choice if going back but I was horrified by the blatant racism we encountered there. (We are a white family btw.) So many residents more than willing to give their (unsolicited) views on Asian immigrants to NZ. Shocking.
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Old May 23rd 2008, 12:17 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

I'd take the Sydney job if I were in your shoes.

If the Christchurch company is any good they'll be taken over by the Aussie firm in a couple of years and you'll outrank all of them.

If your wife looks Asian then she'll be in a world of shit living in Christchurch. Not that Australia is some kind of racial utopia, but Sydney is 10 times the size of Christchurch, so easier to blend in!

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Old May 23rd 2008, 12:21 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
I think you have no actual evidence because no actual evidence exists or could ever exist.
Quite right.

Racism doesn't exist. No-one has ever experienced it because it never happens. That apology Kevin Rudd made to the Aborigines was odd, wasn't it? What on earth was he talking about?

No wonder they made you a moderator.
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Old May 23rd 2008, 12:41 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Originally Posted by I_Will_Freckle
I love, love, love Christchurch. It would be my city of choice if going back but I was horrified by the blatant racism we encountered there. (We are a white family btw.) So many residents more than willing to give their (unsolicited) views on Asian immigrants to NZ. Shocking.
They were nice to us when we were there, on holiday of course.

I've heard some "bordering on racist" comments from quite senior public servants on South Island (from Queenstown/Wanaka) directed at South American immigrants as well so that may well be an issue down there.........

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Old May 23rd 2008, 12:49 pm
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Default Re: This isn't easy

Stay in London.
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