Are we barking up the right tree here?
Sep 3rd 2015, 8:05 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Thanks. We have asked ourselves and still are. 
That's why I ask a million questions before deciding to spill £5k into a nice holiday and go "yuck, could have had a cruise for this money". 
If we can't afford a nice property, the deal will be off.
I do not need to be financially better off than I am here but I am not moving across the globe to be worse off.
The male salmon should, in theory, get more money there, now it's down to seeing whether the nice, big houses photograph well or are actually that nice.
That's why I ask a million questions before deciding to spill £5k into a nice holiday and go "yuck, could have had a cruise for this money". If we can't afford a nice property, the deal will be off.
I do not need to be financially better off than I am here but I am not moving across the globe to be worse off.
The male salmon should, in theory, get more money there, now it's down to seeing whether the nice, big houses photograph well or are actually that nice.
. Here they just take a few photos, stick it on a website and say house for sale 
. At the end of the day you can have a great lifestyle in the UK too and it's up to you how you design your house. I always say that I love New Zealand, but personally I wouldn't have a better lifestyle over there. I'm on an Island, I have a house with decking and covered terrace here, I can go kayaking, fishing, walking etc. and the evenings are just as cold as Wellington, but again you can have an outdoor fire pit in both locations if you have the space. Being in Europe is also a lot cheaper if you want a short break. Booked a nice hotel and off to Spain in a few weeks + it's actually cheaper than staying at home.
Sep 3rd 2015, 8:40 am
#32
Queen of the Underworld
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: In NZ!
Posts: 4,785
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Our latest combined gas and electricity bill was around $220 for the month. We only have two gas fires for heating, no electrical heating.
There's only the two of us and the bill should reduce down once we stop using the gas fire. We haven't been in the house long enough to know what summer bills will be like.
There's only the two of us and the bill should reduce down once we stop using the gas fire. We haven't been in the house long enough to know what summer bills will be like.
Sep 3rd 2015, 9:53 am
#33
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
well if you are not wanting to do cold and damp housing then you are barking up the wrong tree unless you can afford to buy something that has been either renovated by a expat or a house built in the last few years.
Our first house was renovated by expats so had double glazing through out as well as heat pumps in all bedrooms, well it did end up with all bedrooms once we put one in the main bedroom, lounge room and a wood burner in the family room, unfortunately the area was not what we had hoped it would be. the house we are in now was was built in 2000 had no internal insulation (we had to pay out 3k just to get the bedroom x 3 walls done, the windows are just single glazed (paid out over 6k for the bedrooms windows to be double glazed - which incidentally still get condensation on). it only has a gas fire in the main living room, the other rooms do no have any heating in them.
I have spent many a morning begrudgingly, and truthfully crying, having to wipe down every bloody window in the house, if you miss a few days the mould soon starts up. I walk down the street and see the condensation on many house windows and just cannot believe it.
oh and renovation costs and actually getting it done is frustrating, depressing and very time consuming going by a few friends experiences.
Our first house was renovated by expats so had double glazing through out as well as heat pumps in all bedrooms, well it did end up with all bedrooms once we put one in the main bedroom, lounge room and a wood burner in the family room, unfortunately the area was not what we had hoped it would be. the house we are in now was was built in 2000 had no internal insulation (we had to pay out 3k just to get the bedroom x 3 walls done, the windows are just single glazed (paid out over 6k for the bedrooms windows to be double glazed - which incidentally still get condensation on). it only has a gas fire in the main living room, the other rooms do no have any heating in them.
I have spent many a morning begrudgingly, and truthfully crying, having to wipe down every bloody window in the house, if you miss a few days the mould soon starts up. I walk down the street and see the condensation on many house windows and just cannot believe it.
oh and renovation costs and actually getting it done is frustrating, depressing and very time consuming going by a few friends experiences.
Sep 3rd 2015, 9:56 am
#34
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Great to hear you are liking it. Where did you settle if it's ok to ask?
Not our main reason either but would help (or be an added extra if you wish). I've cut the end of the quote as I do like snow. Love skiing and would LOVE to teach the kids.All in all, we have been very lucky. I amazed my OH by taking up fishing, kayaking, walking - none of which I did in the UK. Not really sure why???
Again, as many posters have said, the decision is yours alone and no one else's experience will cut it. All I an say is the best of luck with what you decide.
Again, as many posters have said, the decision is yours alone and no one else's experience will cut it. All I an say is the best of luck with what you decide.
I wouldn't mind kayaking myself.
Thank you!!!
Sep 3rd 2015, 9:58 am
#35
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
That's a bit higher than I previously found...
Are you at home a lot or is the house very big?
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:02 am
#37
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:05 am
#38
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Sure, but what about work or visa? In most cases people move because they got a good job offer, otherwise it's pretty difficult to settle in New Zealand if you are already above a certain age. What I really have noticed in New Zealand is that houses do photograph well, especially compared to Ireland. In New Zealand they really try to sell you this lifestyle and even the crappiest house will look great on a photo with blue sky etc., because estate agent photographer really seems to be a career. Here they just take a few photos, stick it on a website and say house for sale . At the end of the day you can have a great lifestyle in the UK too and it's up to you how you design your house. I always say that I love New Zealand, but personally I wouldn't have a better lifestyle over there. I'm on an Island, I have a house with decking and covered terrace here, I can go kayaking, fishing, walking etc. and the evenings are just as cold as Wellington, but again you can have an outdoor fire pit in both locations if you have the space. Being in Europe is also a lot cheaper if you want a short break. Booked a nice hotel and off to Spain in a few weeks + it's actually cheaper than staying at home.
. Here they just take a few photos, stick it on a website and say house for sale . At the end of the day you can have a great lifestyle in the UK too and it's up to you how you design your house. I always say that I love New Zealand, but personally I wouldn't have a better lifestyle over there. I'm on an Island, I have a house with decking and covered terrace here, I can go kayaking, fishing, walking etc. and the evenings are just as cold as Wellington, but again you can have an outdoor fire pit in both locations if you have the space. Being in Europe is also a lot cheaper if you want a short break. Booked a nice hotel and off to Spain in a few weeks + it's actually cheaper than staying at home.
Thank you!Hahaha, I've met a few agents here who weren't sure how to use the cameras given by the agency (DSLR's).
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:06 am
#39
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Our latest combined gas and electricity bill was around $220 for the month. We only have two gas fires for heating, no electrical heating.
There's only the two of us and the bill should reduce down once we stop using the gas fire. We haven't been in the house long enough to know what summer bills will be like.
There's only the two of us and the bill should reduce down once we stop using the gas fire. We haven't been in the house long enough to know what summer bills will be like.
Sounds good.
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:10 am
#40
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
one gas fire in the main living room
no heating in the kids play room or the office.
2 bathrooms no heating
is connected to mains gas, be aware some places do no have mains gas and you may have to have a cylinder, with renewals and hire costs
and electricity and we have a infinity boiler so we get instant hot water.
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:14 am
#41
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
Our first house was renovated by expats so had double glazing through out as well as heat pumps in all bedrooms, well it did end up with all bedrooms once we put one in the main bedroom, lounge room and a wood burner in the family room, unfortunately the area was not what we had hoped it would be. the house we are in now was was built in 2000 had no internal insulation (we had to pay out 3k just to get the bedroom x 3 walls done, the windows are just single glazed (paid out over 6k for the bedrooms windows to be double glazed - which incidentally still get condensation on). it only has a gas fire in the main living room, the other rooms do no have any heating in them.
I have spent many a morning begrudgingly, and truthfully crying, having to wipe down every bloody window in the house, if you miss a few days the mould soon starts up. I walk down the street and see the condensation on many house windows and just cannot believe it.
oh and renovation costs and actually getting it done is frustrating, depressing and very time consuming going by a few friends experiences.
I have spent many a morning begrudgingly, and truthfully crying, having to wipe down every bloody window in the house, if you miss a few days the mould soon starts up. I walk down the street and see the condensation on many house windows and just cannot believe it.
oh and renovation costs and actually getting it done is frustrating, depressing and very time consuming going by a few friends experiences.
All our clothes, beds were freezing cold in the summer (constantly damp). We couldn't use salt; it wasn't just all stuck together (with about half a kilo of rice in!) but the cardboard was constantly soaked.
Can I ask which neighbourhood it was that you didn't like?
I am looking at loads of them, trying to find ones that are slightly cheaper but still nice so any info would help.
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:19 am
#42
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
nope it has 3 bedrooms - no heating
one gas fire in the main living room
no heating in the kids play room or the office.
2 bathrooms no heating
is connected to mains gas, be aware some places do no have mains gas and you may have to have a cylinder, with renewals and hire costs
and electricity and we have a infinity boiler so we get instant hot water.
one gas fire in the main living room
no heating in the kids play room or the office.
2 bathrooms no heating
is connected to mains gas, be aware some places do no have mains gas and you may have to have a cylinder, with renewals and hire costs
and electricity and we have a infinity boiler so we get instant hot water.
Is that enough to keep it warm?
I am guessing you've bought this house?
It doesn't sound like you are living the dream... Would you come back (can you come back)?
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:22 am
#43
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
to be honest looking at area's at the moment won't really benefit you as you need to get offered a job first. when we started looking we thought about Auckland and a lot of my research was around there. wasn't until a job offer came in that that all changed as the job was in Wellington.
think you need to be concentrating on gaining a job offer for the right money - some visa's have salary requirements on them, and going from there, what you can afford to live on in say Wellington may not afford you to live in Auckland so if your only job offer is in Auckland you need to redo sums.
think you need to be concentrating on gaining a job offer for the right money - some visa's have salary requirements on them, and going from there, what you can afford to live on in say Wellington may not afford you to live in Auckland so if your only job offer is in Auckland you need to redo sums.
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:31 am
#44
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Wellington - I miss Castles, the NHS & English school system
Posts: 9,077
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
No my day to day life was much better in the UK and yes if we could afford it I would go back, husband would go back begrudgingly and kids will do as they are told. But I am aware that if/when we do go back we will not be going back to what we had and would be starting all over again and we just cannot afford it, hard enough affording a week away around the Island itself.
Do I regret coming here with all that we had worked for in the UK and with what we had and what we could afford to do, 80% of the time -Yes, at the moment, I do. been here since Jan 2012, re-evaluating in 2017.
Sep 3rd 2015, 10:32 am
#45
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 67
Re: Are we barking up the right tree here?
to be honest looking at area's at the moment won't really benefit you as you need to get offered a job first. when we started looking we thought about Auckland and a lot of my research was around there. wasn't until a job offer came in that that all changed as the job was in Wellington.
think you need to be concentrating on gaining a job offer for the right money - some visa's have salary requirements on them, and going from there, what you can afford to live on in say Wellington may not afford you to live in Auckland so if your only job offer is in Auckland you need to redo sums.
think you need to be concentrating on gaining a job offer for the right money - some visa's have salary requirements on them, and going from there, what you can afford to live on in say Wellington may not afford you to live in Auckland so if your only job offer is in Auckland you need to redo sums.
I am looking at all aspects of life there (painfully methodical perfectionist) to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle would fit as if I can't afford the area in the zone I need, we'll stay.
Ultimately, we are not unhappy here but we just need a few more things to make life perfect so if we can't get it all from NZ, we may as well stay here, save a few thousand pounds and go on a heck of a holiday instead.
So for us, luckily, it's not a desperate need. We can go either way, we are just trying to see if NZ is better than what we have here.