Fireman Al

Hey there,
Excuse if this awful but this is my first time (?)
We're on the move back home to NZ and can't wait, it's been sometime since i lived there but the pull of being back home became too much plus i'm hacked with life in the UK. I've been shortlisted for the fire service and we're looking at moving to the Hamilton area/ Waikato. Is this any good nowaday's, there is me and the missus plus our 4 kid's....god we've been busy, not sure yet whether to sell here and bring $350,000 or keep it here and rent to start with. Will we get decent sized place there or are we looking in wrong area. There is a chance albeit slim i may be stationed Auckland so is the commute horrific ?
Any idea's/ suggestions greatfully received...

Nice...

Fireman Al.

Fireman Al

Is no-one gonna reply ?.....is there no advice that can be given ?....there must be, no matter how unimportant it may be, it could save us hassle or a fortune doing the wrong thing !!

Al

newkiwi

Hi,
I hope you get teh job offer sorted so you know where you will be living. The cost of living in Auckland is quite higher than Hamilton, so if the salary is teh same you would be better off in Hamilton.

Its tricky on the housng issue, interest rates are high at the moment, so u dont want to have a mortgage if you can aviod it. Selling up in the UK does carry the risk of you not being able to get back on the property ladder if you want to return to the UK. Renting initially in NZ is good to get settled and decide where you want to be living in any case, for 6 months at least. For $350 k you should be able to buy somewhere in Hamilton outright.

Commuting between Hamilton and Auckland ay be do-able but not something too many ppl would like to do.

Good luck, id say because of the COL, Hamilton / Waikato is a better choice at this stage.........

Fireman Al

Thanks for the advice, it's always good to hear other people's views....especially as it's such a major move for us all, it was hard enough to pursuade the Mrs and kid's to move here !!!

Ali