Money money money!
Oct 17th 2015, 1:52 am
#76
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Money money money!
BTW did you re-mortgage to get the lower interest rate ? If so, did you have to get the house surveyed, LIM report etc etc all over again ? Were you able to made a professional (no pun) valuation on the house as you're a licenced Estate Agent ? Or were you able to increase your mortgage to get the better interest rate without doing any of that ?
Oct 23rd 2015, 8:24 pm
#77
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 613
Re: Money money money!
I appreciate my posts are Auckland-centric and I know elsewhere in NZ, things are more affordable, i.e. the lovely Kapiti Coast (great choice btw).
However, NZ is overly Auckland focused and for most, they need to end up in primarily Auckland, maybe Wellington or possibly CHCH for work. NZ doesn't have the bulk of jobs that other countries have.
I moved to Auckland for a "better life" but in the end I found whilst I had a good/interesting life, I never could have settled. Being back in the UK, I have easy access to Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Gloucester, Swindon, Bath - all with good job opportunities and a lot of affordable housing. I'm also 2.5 hours drive away from both sets of family.
What I'm saying is, if you're considering a move to Auckland and not full of money, you should consider looking elsewhere in the UK, Europe or somewhere other than Auckland in NZ. I do not believe today that you can go to Auckland and be better off (unless you're very lucky). Had you gone out there 6-10+ years ago, I'd say yes - you've probably done great and improved your lot.
Trying to compare Auckland house prices to London house prices is completely unrealistic.
However, NZ is overly Auckland focused and for most, they need to end up in primarily Auckland, maybe Wellington or possibly CHCH for work. NZ doesn't have the bulk of jobs that other countries have.
I moved to Auckland for a "better life" but in the end I found whilst I had a good/interesting life, I never could have settled. Being back in the UK, I have easy access to Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Gloucester, Swindon, Bath - all with good job opportunities and a lot of affordable housing. I'm also 2.5 hours drive away from both sets of family.
What I'm saying is, if you're considering a move to Auckland and not full of money, you should consider looking elsewhere in the UK, Europe or somewhere other than Auckland in NZ. I do not believe today that you can go to Auckland and be better off (unless you're very lucky). Had you gone out there 6-10+ years ago, I'd say yes - you've probably done great and improved your lot.
Trying to compare Auckland house prices to London house prices is completely unrealistic.
Oct 28th 2015, 4:21 pm
#78
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13
Re: Money money money!
after reading all this I am beginning to wonder if its worth the hassle. Nothing but stress to get a visa even more stress sorting the dogs out only to be told you need a small fortune to live a basic life in an over hyped country.
Oct 28th 2015, 6:07 pm
#79
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 55
Re: Money money money!
It all depends what your prepared to live with and what you want out of it. If your having doubts I'd suggest it's not for you.
Just my opinion
Just my opinion
Oct 28th 2015, 8:49 pm
#80
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 2,201
Re: Money money money!
Sounds to me like you have had a crap day and are tired and fed up. You've had some bad news about moving your pooches as well which must be weighing your down and worrying you. My advice would be to remember why you started down this route in the first place, then pour yourself a drink, have a sit down and relax. Things will seem better in the morning I'm sure. Stay strong x
Oct 29th 2015, 2:24 am
#82
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: South Auckland
Posts: 2,228
Re: Money money money!
It has to be said that being a migrant is hard work, wherever you go. If you want more of what Britain has, then no, it's not worth the hassle. If you want something different, it might be. Brits do seem to have a romantic view of NZ (and possibly Australia and Canada), so it can be a disappointment to find faults when you arrive. Despite that, many like it and plan to stay. Others, not so much.
Oct 29th 2015, 5:05 am
#83
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Kapiti
Posts: 63
Re: Money money money!
You do need to really work out why you want to come. It's not 'a new life', it's just a bit different. Work is still work, bills still need to be paid and building a new social life can be tough. Auckland is horribly expensive, but I have friends that wouldn't leave it. I like the sticks, but it's not for everyone, and we all have different reasons for shifting. Good luck!
Nov 2nd 2015, 8:07 am
#84
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13
Re: Money money money!
Sounds to me like you have had a crap day and are tired and fed up. You've had some bad news about moving your pooches as well which must be weighing your down and worrying you. My advice would be to remember why you started down this route in the first place, then pour yourself a drink, have a sit down and relax. Things will seem better in the morning I'm sure. Stay strong x
Thanks for the words of support we will get there in the end
Nov 6th 2015, 6:33 am
#85
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,240
Re: Money money money!
I think something you need to take into account moving to New Zealand is the differences in the tax system.
New Zealand taxation isn't very progressive and penalises lower income work (e.g. you are taxed on every dollar you earn, there is no 0% tax rate or "personal allowance" before you start paying). This probably makes it significantly less comfortable if you are earning an income of around $52,000/year (average/mean income in NZ) than you would on an equivalent income in the UK.
On the other hand the lack of other taxes (CGT, things that don't incur GST etc.) may make New Zealand more attractive if you are bringing a lot of capital.
Worth considering.
New Zealand taxation isn't very progressive and penalises lower income work (e.g. you are taxed on every dollar you earn, there is no 0% tax rate or "personal allowance" before you start paying). This probably makes it significantly less comfortable if you are earning an income of around $52,000/year (average/mean income in NZ) than you would on an equivalent income in the UK.
On the other hand the lack of other taxes (CGT, things that don't incur GST etc.) may make New Zealand more attractive if you are bringing a lot of capital.
Worth considering.
Nov 6th 2015, 12:32 pm
#86
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
Re: Money money money!
Defo.
Great for the cashed up who wish to retire, or us small business folks as taxation on our businesses is embarassingly low, but hard for the low paid and those on fixed/low incomes. And the current govt. are going out of their way, it seems to me, to increase that divide.
Great for the cashed up who wish to retire, or us small business folks as taxation on our businesses is embarassingly low, but hard for the low paid and those on fixed/low incomes. And the current govt. are going out of their way, it seems to me, to increase that divide.
