Job offer in Auckland
#62
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2019
Location: Auckland
Posts: 41
Re: Job offer in Auckland
You are taxed on every cent of income - no tax free element of pay
Mortgage interest rates - cheapest floating rate around 5.7% in NZ (lowest it has been in decades) and fixed term and longer term rates are still in the high fours (4.5% to 4.8%). In the UK there's much more competition and incentives to switch mortgages; I see you can currently get two year fixed rates around 1.6% in UK
Things you pay for out of your net income separately which you don't pay for in full or directly in UK:
Healthcare - doctors visits, practice nurse and physio appointments and such like which are only partly funded
Dentists - full private cost (no NHS subsidies or anything)
School 'donations'
Rubbish collection (upto $200 per year depending on where you live)
Other things need to allow for:
Parking or other commuting costs in Auckland
Mobile phone and internet plans - not as much choice and not as cheap as UK
Generally cost of food, services and other shopping - food, eating out, clothes, school uniforms, shoes etc. all veer towards the high end compared to UK , or else there's little opportunity to shop around and avoid high costs because we simply don't have the alternatives at the 'budget' end of the spectrum such as your Ikeas, Aldis and Lidls.
Mortgage interest rates - cheapest floating rate around 5.7% in NZ (lowest it has been in decades) and fixed term and longer term rates are still in the high fours (4.5% to 4.8%). In the UK there's much more competition and incentives to switch mortgages; I see you can currently get two year fixed rates around 1.6% in UK
Things you pay for out of your net income separately which you don't pay for in full or directly in UK:
Healthcare - doctors visits, practice nurse and physio appointments and such like which are only partly funded
Dentists - full private cost (no NHS subsidies or anything)
School 'donations'
Rubbish collection (upto $200 per year depending on where you live)
Other things need to allow for:
Parking or other commuting costs in Auckland
Mobile phone and internet plans - not as much choice and not as cheap as UK
Generally cost of food, services and other shopping - food, eating out, clothes, school uniforms, shoes etc. all veer towards the high end compared to UK , or else there's little opportunity to shop around and avoid high costs because we simply don't have the alternatives at the 'budget' end of the spectrum such as your Ikeas, Aldis and Lidls.
Had a long chat yesterday with a friend who has been living in south island for 12 years and now back for a short time before returning. His advice is to go for it to get into the country and then look to move elsewhere after arrival. Not so easy with kids plus am sure that because the new employer is helping me to get out there i'll be contractually obliged to stay with them for a period of time. Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
#63
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Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
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Re: Job offer in Auckland
Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
#64
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Originally Posted by mexnick
Not so easy with kids plus am sure that because the new employer is helping me to get out there i'll be contractually obliged to stay with them for a period of time.
Originally Posted by mexnick
Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
#65
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 450
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Thanks for your in depth response. Actually found something on the NZ govt website that helps to work out an average on living costs versus your projected wage. Not sure how accurate it really is but doesn't paint a pretty picture on a combined wage of $150k. Seems to echo what most have been saying on here. It's looking like I'll be going back to the employer and unless I can negotiate a higher wage we're either staying here or looking for opportunities in cheaper parts of NZ.
Had a long chat yesterday with a friend who has been living in south island for 12 years and now back for a short time before returning. His advice is to go for it to get into the country and then look to move elsewhere after arrival. Not so easy with kids plus am sure that because the new employer is helping me to get out there i'll be contractually obliged to stay with them for a period of time. Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
Had a long chat yesterday with a friend who has been living in south island for 12 years and now back for a short time before returning. His advice is to go for it to get into the country and then look to move elsewhere after arrival. Not so easy with kids plus am sure that because the new employer is helping me to get out there i'll be contractually obliged to stay with them for a period of time. Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
No one can tell you whether to come or not. There are UK expats who love it here, and those that don't, and no one knows what category you'll be in until you've been here a while and experienced it.. But, in my opinion, Auckland offers a good lifestyle. Lots of things to do and a good climate. Good luck in your decision making process.
Last edited by garethwm; May 19th 2019 at 11:13 pm.
#66
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Do however do the Countdown online shop as suggested . Ensure you include most items that you would normally spend on.
Then list out other bills and expenses.
Finally work out your expected NZ salary/wage net of tax.
Minus bills/expenses from net income leaves the disposable income for savings, pension, rainy day bills, holidays, treats.
Do all of that in NZD. Converting or thinking back to GBP or the UK won't help.
My general list for our budget with a couple bits added .
Electric
Water
Phone/Internet/Mobiles
Commute costs
School "donations" & inevitable trips - sports stuff ( We have no kids)
Rubbish bags
Heating
Groceries
Rates ( we are rent and mortgage free)
Car WOF
Car Insurance
Car Tax
House contents ins
House insurance
GP/Meds/Dentist
% interest rates perhaps if a mortgage.
Also factor in start up costs once arrived.
We manage on around $55/$60K net pa. We have no children and no mortgage. Ours is a tight budget. It is supplemented with my part time work and other sources of income. From that I budget for hols best I can or large unexpected bills like car tyres, white ware purchases when stuff stops working and this year it is needing the house painted We don't eat out hardly at all nor go for a drink. Mostly it is the NZ way of going to each other's houses. Glass of wine in a bar or tavern is the price of a bottle of wine to take to friends. People don't do it.
#67
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 41
Re: Job offer in Auckland
That's all good, you can actually "shop" at paknsave now because they have a click and collect system going. Cheaper than Countdown.
#68
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Pak n Save is defo cheaper than Countdown overall.
Have some BE karma for being so helpful. You can't spend it but it means cheers, thanks and lovely.
#69
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Auckland
Posts: 463
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Was interesting to get a perspective on life in the south island, sounds great but my friend did outline the various compromises to be made, particularly the higher cost of living but he seemed to feel that the scenery, weather and outdoors lifestyle compensated for that.
Another group at the funeral was a family that live in Invercargill. The father had moved the family down there from Auckland and he was very pleased with his quality of life there compared to Auckland.
The family had spent the previous day in Hamilton and their two teenage daughters that had grown up in Invercargill were in awe of how sophisticated life in Hamilton appeared becuase there was even a McDonalds just near to where they were staying. I felt so sorry for those girls.
#70
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 41
Re: Job offer in Auckland
Good God Clappy I thought it was past your bedtime!
#71
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Location: bottom of the world
Posts: 4,533
Re: Job offer in Auckland
I live in Auckland. A few years ago I went to a funeral for one of the New Zealand family.
Another group at the funeral was a family that live in Invercargill. The father had moved the family down there from Auckland and he was very pleased with his quality of life there compared to Auckland.
The family had spent the previous day in Hamilton and their two teenage daughters that had grown up in Invercargill were in awe of how sophisticated life in Hamilton appeared becuase there was even a McDonalds just near to where they were staying. I felt so sorry for those girls.
Another group at the funeral was a family that live in Invercargill. The father had moved the family down there from Auckland and he was very pleased with his quality of life there compared to Auckland.
The family had spent the previous day in Hamilton and their two teenage daughters that had grown up in Invercargill were in awe of how sophisticated life in Hamilton appeared becuase there was even a McDonalds just near to where they were staying. I felt so sorry for those girls.
#72
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Auckland
Posts: 463
Re: Job offer in Auckland
I do remember that I grew up in a small country-town in England and I felt terribly under-prepared for dealing with every-day interactions when I moved to London aged 18 so I think that more experience would be good for the children.
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 127
Re: Job offer in Auckland
To echo Clappy, I think there's a bigger chance they will go crazy once they (inevitably) move somehwhere with all those tempations.
I know I did when I went to uni after a relatively sheltered upbringing.
My (London) 6 and 9 year olds are more streetwise than my niece and nephew who are in their early teens but live in rural Worcestershire....
I know I did when I went to uni after a relatively sheltered upbringing.
My (London) 6 and 9 year olds are more streetwise than my niece and nephew who are in their early teens but live in rural Worcestershire....
#74
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: Job offer in Auckland
I don't have any kids so I don't have a parent perspective on the topic.
I do remember that I grew up in a small country-town in England and I felt terribly under-prepared for dealing with every-day interactions when I moved to London aged 18 so I think that more experience would be good for the children.
I do remember that I grew up in a small country-town in England and I felt terribly under-prepared for dealing with every-day interactions when I moved to London aged 18 so I think that more experience would be good for the children.
#75
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 41
Re: Job offer in Auckland
I guess that's what they mean when they say that living in NZ kids have an extra 3 years of just being kids and that's a tempting thought.