Living costs
Mar 18th 2011, 8:21 pm
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 436
Living costs
Hi guys
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy
), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).
Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy
), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
Mar 18th 2011, 10:02 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Living costs
Water rates = $50 to 60 per 6 months
Electricity/Gas $100 to 120 per month for summer (6 months from November to April) and $220 - 250 per month winter (6 months from May to October)
Council tax? = Rates $2,000 per year expected to increase 5% in June 11 (you wont pay if renting)
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs) Erm, not really sure of costs per minute, just pay whatever and probably less than $10 per month
Broadband (reasonable speed required!) $120 per month includes landline and free local calls + one free UK number
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
MOT = WOF 6 Monthly $45
My car Insurance is tied up with our house contents and is $95 per month
Registration (Road Tax)depends on car diesel v petrol etc see here http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/regi...sing/fees.html
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above) - mo idea
TV License None = Free
Digital TV? Freeview here is similarly free once you have the right equipment but has nothing like the UK choice of channels
Pariliament TV, +1 Channels that just rerun early terrestrial channels one hour later and the like. http://www.freeviewnz.tv/?gclid=CNHf...FYE1pAodmiL58A
House contents insurance - Mine's included with my car $95 per month
Typical food costs, not too frugal - I am extra frugal and very careful not to spend more than $140 per week and we seldom have alcohol, probably far less than one bottle of wine in a month and a box of 18 beers in three months. Your mileage may vary depending on how hard you are prepared to work in order to eat.
We don't have a choice other than to have a lot of cheap meals with pasta, rice, eggs and mince at least once a week each, but the sky's the limit depending on how fussy you are. If you want 'happy' meat, fresh fish, organic veges, free range eggs then you need to allow a lot extra for this. I can stretch an $11 chicken into meals for three days, plus sandwiches for lunch, where others would not. Although I do insist upon FR Eggs, no matter how tight things are, as I would rather go without than buy the alternatives.
Electricity/Gas $100 to 120 per month for summer (6 months from November to April) and $220 - 250 per month winter (6 months from May to October)
Council tax? = Rates $2,000 per year expected to increase 5% in June 11 (you wont pay if renting)
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs) Erm, not really sure of costs per minute, just pay whatever and probably less than $10 per month
Broadband (reasonable speed required!) $120 per month includes landline and free local calls + one free UK number
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
MOT = WOF 6 Monthly $45
My car Insurance is tied up with our house contents and is $95 per month
Registration (Road Tax)depends on car diesel v petrol etc see here http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/regi...sing/fees.html
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above) - mo idea
TV License None = Free
Digital TV? Freeview here is similarly free once you have the right equipment but has nothing like the UK choice of channels
Pariliament TV, +1 Channels that just rerun early terrestrial channels one hour later and the like. http://www.freeviewnz.tv/?gclid=CNHf...FYE1pAodmiL58AHouse contents insurance - Mine's included with my car $95 per month
Typical food costs, not too frugal - I am extra frugal and very careful not to spend more than $140 per week and we seldom have alcohol, probably far less than one bottle of wine in a month and a box of 18 beers in three months. Your mileage may vary depending on how hard you are prepared to work in order to eat.
We don't have a choice other than to have a lot of cheap meals with pasta, rice, eggs and mince at least once a week each, but the sky's the limit depending on how fussy you are. If you want 'happy' meat, fresh fish, organic veges, free range eggs then you need to allow a lot extra for this. I can stretch an $11 chicken into meals for three days, plus sandwiches for lunch, where others would not. Although I do insist upon FR Eggs, no matter how tight things are, as I would rather go without than buy the alternatives.
Last edited by Bo-Jangles; Mar 18th 2011 at 10:10 pm.
Mar 18th 2011, 10:28 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 436
Re: Living costs
Cheers for the info bo, much appreciated.
I've found the current tax rates (applying from October 2010) but I'm guessing they're due to change in April this year?
I've found the current tax rates (applying from October 2010) but I'm guessing they're due to change in April this year?
Mar 18th 2011, 11:06 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Living costs
No they don't get adjusted annually like you are used to in the UK, it's entirely random and may change if we get a new Government in November of this year. The only reason it was changed in October last year was for the restructuring of the GST to a higher rate 15%, so they lowered some PAYE rates and salary bands to compensate. I don't expect we'll see any further change this year.
Last edited by Bo-Jangles; Mar 18th 2011 at 11:08 pm.
Mar 21st 2011, 4:06 am
#5
Joined: May 2005
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 962
Re: Living costs
Bo-jangles - you're doing well with your figures!!!
We're family of 5.
Water is about that per month.
Electric can be that low, but has been at $400 during winter.
Food/shopping for us is more like $250 per week.... but we drink, eat too much, frequently feed other kids and entertain fairly regularly too.
We're family of 5.
Water is about that per month.
Electric can be that low, but has been at $400 during winter.
Food/shopping for us is more like $250 per week.... but we drink, eat too much, frequently feed other kids and entertain fairly regularly too.
Last edited by P18PPS; Mar 21st 2011 at 4:07 am. Reason: extra text
Mar 21st 2011, 7:14 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Living costs
Bo-jangles - you're doing well with your figures!!!
We're family of 5.
Water is about that per month.
Electric can be that low, but has been at $400 during winter.
Food/shopping for us is more like $250 per week.... but we drink, eat too much, frequently feed other kids and entertain fairly regularly too.
We're family of 5.
Water is about that per month.
Electric can be that low, but has been at $400 during winter.
Food/shopping for us is more like $250 per week.... but we drink, eat too much, frequently feed other kids and entertain fairly regularly too.
Mar 21st 2011, 7:35 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 436
Re: Living costs
OMG those leccy bills are astronomical... assuming electric cooker, washing/drying all day and lots of electrical heaters??!
How much is your kWhr??!!
How much is your kWhr??!!
Mar 21st 2011, 8:21 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Wellington NZ
Posts: 101
Re: Living costs
Hi guys
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).
Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy
), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
I am preparing for my interview i found this website to caluculate living costs:
http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-li...w-zealand.HTML
Mar 21st 2011, 8:29 am
#9
Joined: May 2005
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 962
Re: Living costs
How much is your kWhr??!![/QUOTE]
it seems to be about a $0.2 kWh
it seems to be about a $0.2 kWh
Mar 21st 2011, 9:08 am
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Living costs
Our electric is 0 91 cents + GST per day fixed charge, so you're looking at over $30 per month before you even switch a light on. Then 21.84 cents per kwh + GST
The winter bills can be extremely scary and I am very careful to switch off lights and not leave stuff like the TV or computers on standby. We don't have a tumble dryer.
The winter bills can be extremely scary and I am very careful to switch off lights and not leave stuff like the TV or computers on standby. We don't have a tumble dryer.
Last edited by Bo-Jangles; Mar 21st 2011 at 10:27 am.
Mar 21st 2011, 10:21 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Bay of Plenty
Posts: 234
Re: Living costs
I have been here a year and I think that the most I have paid for leccy is about $120 a month. However I used a portable gas heater - I paid about $90 for gas over last winter.
I found that the kiwi 'sorted' website was really useful in controlling bills. It has sections on mortgages and stuff too. It might be a handy resource for people coming over.
www.sorted.org.nz
I found that the kiwi 'sorted' website was really useful in controlling bills. It has sections on mortgages and stuff too. It might be a handy resource for people coming over.
www.sorted.org.nz
Mar 21st 2011, 10:27 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Bay of Plenty
Posts: 234
Re: Living costs
PAYG mobiles.
It won't take you long to research costs, as there are not many providers here! I think 2degrees might be the best one now, they are new and they have lots of ads about. I don't know their tarriff very well as they were only just starting when i got here.
I went with vodaphone. You can buy a 'best mates' package that would give you calls/texts between the two of you,which would help. I was astonished to find that calls to NZ are charged at something like 89c a minute, but that calls to UK landlines are $2 for a whole hour!
good luck.
It won't take you long to research costs, as there are not many providers here! I think 2degrees might be the best one now, they are new and they have lots of ads about. I don't know their tarriff very well as they were only just starting when i got here.
I went with vodaphone. You can buy a 'best mates' package that would give you calls/texts between the two of you,which would help. I was astonished to find that calls to NZ are charged at something like 89c a minute, but that calls to UK landlines are $2 for a whole hour!
good luck.
Mar 21st 2011, 11:22 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Living costs
Hi guys
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).
Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
Now we've been approved I'm thinking about costs of everyday things... if anyone currently living in Auckland area could give me ideas of typical costs that would be ace (I have had a quick search but couldn't find everything I wanted!)
Bit of background... I'll be working, my wife won't for the first 6 months (although I'm sure she'll try not to work for a year and take it easy
), and we have a 5 yr old daughter. For the first 6 weeks we'll be in accommodation provided by my employer, thereafter we'll be renting for the first 12 months before buying a house. We're unsure where we'll be renting at the moment. Regarding driving, both the wife and I have 9 yrs no claims (for what its worth!).Okay typical costs for these if you can guys, weekly or whatever (please stipulate), mucho appreciated!
Water rates
Electricity/Gas
Council tax?
Cheap PAYG mobile (we have phones, just simple tariffs)
Broadband (reasonable speed required!)
Running costs 1 car (not fuel, just equivalent tax, insurance, MOT)
Running costs 1 motorcycle (as above)
TV License?
Digital TV? We have freeview now and thats plenty...
House contents insurance
Typical food costs, not too frugal
Cheers peeps!
Mar 21st 2011, 11:27 pm
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: Living costs
PS there is no TV licence in NZ. It think it would be illegal to charge for the crap they air. So alas its not really free..just crap. Okay free crap. With more adverts than anywhere else on earth apparently. They are crap too. Really crap.
Last edited by Genesis; Mar 21st 2011 at 11:30 pm.
Mar 21st 2011, 11:40 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: From Essex to Christchurch.
Posts: 578
Re: Living costs
That did make me laugh.. Good old NZ TV, just how i remembered it from when i was there last..
