US to NZ
Jan 2nd 2007, 3:56 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
US to NZ
I've noticed a few more people on this forum recently who are thinking about moving from the US to NZ, or have done the reverse.
Anyone who's done this, would you care to comment on your experiences?
A bit of a broad question, I know, but I'm a tad concerned I've started getting comfy here, despite the awful weather (Welly weather sounds divine in comparison to the crap we get in the US Midwest, both hot/humid and cold!
), plus I have a great job.
Hubby's employer, however, is in manufacturing, and they're beginning to not be able to withstand the competition from China, so I might be the only earner in a matter of months...
Anyone who's done this, would you care to comment on your experiences?
A bit of a broad question, I know, but I'm a tad concerned I've started getting comfy here, despite the awful weather (Welly weather sounds divine in comparison to the crap we get in the US Midwest, both hot/humid and cold!
), plus I have a great job.Hubby's employer, however, is in manufacturing, and they're beginning to not be able to withstand the competition from China, so I might be the only earner in a matter of months...
Jan 2nd 2007, 4:01 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 1,146
Re: US to NZ
That soon hun ? :scared: 
:scared:
Jan 2nd 2007, 4:18 pm
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: US to NZ
Unfortunately pretty possible! We can last with just my salary (I'm the higher earner by quite a bit) but we really have to tighten our belts a bunch. Also, if we do end up going, we'd have to file before January next year, which is when I hit the big 4-0 and apparently your points get reduced automatically for that. With me being a programmer in IT, we're at 130 points without a job offer, so not bad. I'll be getting - hopefully! - a bunch of interviews lined up for when we're over there, soo.
Jan 2nd 2007, 9:45 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Motorhome NZ
Posts: 51
Re: US to NZ
Unfortunately - having previously lived and worked in the U.S. for 4 years - I have to get a criminal check from the FBI for my visa 
This is the only thing holding up my application - I called them last month after having waited 10 weeks already - and was told they are currently taking 16 weeks! :scared:
If your thinking of applying - and need an FBI criminal check - be warned and get the app of to the FBI early
This is the only thing holding up my application - I called them last month after having waited 10 weeks already - and was told they are currently taking 16 weeks! :scared: If your thinking of applying - and need an FBI criminal check - be warned and get the app of to the FBI early
Jan 2nd 2007, 10:05 pm
#5
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 191
Re: US to NZ
I've noticed a few more people on this forum recently who are thinking about moving from the US to NZ, or have done the reverse.
Anyone who's done this, would you care to comment on your experiences?
A bit of a broad question, I know, but I'm a tad concerned I've started getting comfy here, despite the awful weather (Welly weather sounds divine in comparison to the crap we get in the US Midwest, both hot/humid and cold! ), plus I have a great job.
Hubby's employer, however, is in manufacturing, and they're beginning to not be able to withstand the competition from China, so I might be the only earner in a matter of months...
Anyone who's done this, would you care to comment on your experiences?
A bit of a broad question, I know, but I'm a tad concerned I've started getting comfy here, despite the awful weather (Welly weather sounds divine in comparison to the crap we get in the US Midwest, both hot/humid and cold!
), plus I have a great job.Hubby's employer, however, is in manufacturing, and they're beginning to not be able to withstand the competition from China, so I might be the only earner in a matter of months...
Maz, I wish I could move to the USA, but there is no way I can do it. Pity they don't have an immigrant exchange policy! I would swap my passport for a green card any day.
Jan 3rd 2007, 12:28 am
#6
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: US to NZ
It's most certainly not the paradise many make it out to be. It's just harder to get in to, hence why most stay here, or pine for England in despair, once here... I had to get through FBI, Interpol, French police and UK police checks before they'd let me in here. Plus prove I didn't have HIV, had ever had TB (had to have chest x-ray in hand luggage, that was fun) and a whole bevvy of other crap.
Jan 3rd 2007, 1:30 am
#7
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 191
Re: US to NZ
I have dual UK/US nationality so we could swap passports. It's most certainly not the paradise many make it out to be. It's just harder to get in to, hence why most stay here, or pine for England in despair, once here... I had to get through FBI, Interpol, French police and UK police checks before they'd let me in here. Plus prove I didn't have HIV, had ever had TB (had to have chest x-ray in hand luggage, that was fun) and a whole bevvy of other crap.
It's most certainly not the paradise many make it out to be. It's just harder to get in to, hence why most stay here, or pine for England in despair, once here... I had to get through FBI, Interpol, French police and UK police checks before they'd let me in here. Plus prove I didn't have HIV, had ever had TB (had to have chest x-ray in hand luggage, that was fun) and a whole bevvy of other crap.
Jan 3rd 2007, 1:59 am
#8
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: US to NZ
Sounds like you'd be the one getting arrested too. 
Unfortunately I believe San Fran also has the most expensive real estate in the entire world.
Jan 3rd 2007, 2:10 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 191
Re: US to NZ
what do you do? Aren't you slightly paranoid with all the checks they did? I base my assumption of liking San Fran on watching too many Dirty Harry films. Films in general, im a bit of a dreamer I suppose.
Jan 3rd 2007, 2:29 am
#10
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: US to NZ
Never been to San Fran - we were going to go in Spring 2001 for a week, but ended up going to Arizona instead (we needed some sun after the long Chicago Winter!) as they were having rolling blackouts due to the power crisis in California at the time.
Jan 3rd 2007, 3:53 am
#11
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 191
Re: US to NZ
Our gradual but increasing loss of privacy etc. here is one of the big reasons we want to get out of here, actually... the list of banned books is just stupid, for example. Parents are encouraged to get their children fingerprinted, etc. Ugh!
Never been to San Fran - we were going to go in Spring 2001 for a week, but ended up going to Arizona instead (we needed some sun after the long Chicago Winter!) as they were having rolling blackouts due to the power crisis in California at the time.
Never been to San Fran - we were going to go in Spring 2001 for a week, but ended up going to Arizona instead (we needed some sun after the long Chicago Winter!) as they were having rolling blackouts due to the power crisis in California at the time.
I've never really thought about this much, but I went into the central library and ALL the William Burroughs novels had been removed from the shelf and were behind the librarians desk. I wonder if they are classed as objectionable? Might ask next time im in.
Jan 3rd 2007, 5:00 am
#12
By name and by nature
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,852
Re: US to NZ
Our gradual but increasing loss of privacy etc. here is one of the big reasons we want to get out of here, actually... the list of banned books is just stupid, for example. Parents are encouraged to get their children fingerprinted, etc. Ugh!
Never been to San Fran - we were going to go in Spring 2001 for a week, but ended up going to Arizona instead (we needed some sun after the long Chicago Winter!) as they were having rolling blackouts due to the power crisis in California at the time.
Never been to San Fran - we were going to go in Spring 2001 for a week, but ended up going to Arizona instead (we needed some sun after the long Chicago Winter!) as they were having rolling blackouts due to the power crisis in California at the time.
