Well - How much then?
 

My OH keeps reading about so many people going on about the financial hardship they are facing in NZ, and those that are leaving and having visited and seeing on the news how even families earning $70k can't afford to get on the property ladder, How much do you need to live comfortably in NZ?

Whatever the consensus, it will answer his question and may stop the heavy sighs every time he enters the room (he's such a worrier)

Nisey

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Hi there Nisey. That's a really objective question, and I imagine that the answer really depends on what you would call 'comfortable living'. There have been folk on here that said they 'struggled' when they had no mortgage and a six figure income. Then again, there are those who would consider 75k to be just fine. Location will also be a massive thing - as even a 6 figure income in Aukland will see you struggle considering how expensive housing there can be.

We've only been here 4 months or so, but to be on the property ladder here in ChCh and have a bit of disposable income I'd say a joint income of 90k would see us comfortable.

Now we've just got to find a way of earning it! ;)

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Hiya Nisey,
I've been using the cost of living calculator on the Immigration Website as a guideline for us.

http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-li...w-zealand.HTML

Found it gave us some idea. Also, the tax calculator on this link gives you a good indication of what a gross annual salary comes down to as monthly take home.
Hope it's of help,
Leighlou.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Well we came here with bugger all, so had to start from scratch.

There is only the two of us (trying for a third!), we spent two years in Auckland. Between us we had about $70K per year before tax.

To be honest, we struggled a bit at times, rent was expensive, we had loans for furniture and we could not afford to buy a house.

But that was living in Auckland. So we though bugger that, were off to the South Island!

We arrived in Marlborough in August last year, we both got jobs in the wine industry. Our earning have actually increased, we are on about $80k a year.

We got a 100% mortgage with the ANZ, bought a 3 bed house for $250k (made of brick, so nice and warm) with a sleepout that we rent out for $200 week (during harvest time). And we are doing just great!

The other benefits is that we are so happy to be here, the lifestyle compared to Auckland is just wonderful, amazing scenery, great community, much much more relaxed working enviroment (we have heaps of free time!) and access to so many wonderful things.

So the moral of the story is....location, location, location.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

I'd say anywhere between $70-90,000 for a couple would be fine.

But....

That would average out at about 28,000 UK Pounds or 14,000 Pounds/each.

This makes NZ a potential money trap...the lifestyle is good within the country but how on earth can anybody ever leave on such a comparatively low wage? After tax, mortgages and living expenses you'll be lucky to save 1,000 pounds/year:eek:

So the moral of the story is.....kiss luxury goods goodbye!!

Re: Well - How much then?
 

We were on about 90K between us - we didn't struggle, we bought a CD when we wanted (no kids or anything though), went to a spa pool a couple of times a month etc. But we weren't living in the lap of luxury and we wouldn't have had the money to do the types of things we actually like doing (which aren't really NZ things). We have a better life (for us) now we're in Italy - we eat out far more, think nothing of going for cocktails (sometimes even on a schoolnight!) and generally feel better off. But it depends a lot on what you like doing - if you like beaches, fishing, walking etc. which are free, you'll be fine in NZ. I think a lot of people just find when they get there it's not as cheap as it's made out to be (by 'tourist' info, tourists who have been with their English pounds and even by some NZers themselves) - and that's what causes people to come unstuck.

It really is difficult to answer as your ideal lifestyle will not be someone else's.

(But one thing to note is that when we were in London we spent a smaller percentage of our wages on food each week than we did in NZ - but of course you need to take into account different earnings and other things)

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Mazi that is a excellent post ,salary wise we earn more than the amount you said but we are both skilled .You live to your means normally but a lot of Kiwis dont .Mortgage ? whats that ,good exchange rates solved that:thumbup:
All the free things you mentioned here do make up in my opinion the big worthwhile difference ,beaches ,walks ,fishing etc all for the use of each and everyone of us.We have far more than we had in the UK and a great social life also,we eat out at least 3 times a week and bbq every weekend both days in the summer,try that in old Blighty .All in all we prefer here to there

Mr Avid you have not mentioned ever what you do or earn ,now is your big moment here live on BE if you wish to expose your means .:eek:

posted by Avid.
So the moral of the story is.....kiss luxury goods goodbye!!.

Not for us ,a boat is next on the agenda ,and it will be paid for in full,we intend to use our assets to the full,money in the UK is waiting just for the right moment to transfer.We thought it out long and hard before we left the UK to have a better life and intend to do so.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Don't do anything, don't earn anything. I'm a gentleman of leisure.

As for a boat being a luxury item...depends on what type of boat...

Re: Well - How much then?
 

We're on $71k combined as a family of four, with a mortgage and we manage to save $500 a month (not to say it doesn't all get USED again of course! :rofl: *sigh*)

Re: Well - How much then?
 

SNIFF SNIFF I smell a little bit or perhaps a lot of the preverbial B*** here .If you are such a person of leisure then why did you join/post here amongst expat immigrants .Do you really need to feel at home or are you so rich and lonely you need to see how we manage on normal wages .I think you are full of .:thumbdown: and the question was not answered

Re: Well - How much then?
 

I thought I had made my mind up and decided to sell all here and take me and my family (6 of us) off to NZ.

I know people usually get a little nervous but to be honest after reading all the posts on how much people struggle I am getting a little worried.

We pay the bills here, have a take away once a week, have a drink most nights....well me anyways.....so don't live extravagantly, but would still like this lifestyle out in NZ. Am I going to get that? For the first time in years we are comfortable, meaning we can pay Peter without robbing Paul and I dont want to make this move and struggle all over again. From what I have been reading I now don't know if I am doing the right thing, or is it just nerves???

Kato33

Re: Well - How much then?
 

How can you say that, when you say you have no mortgage & more to come
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle to me:sneaky:

Re: Well - How much then?
 

We struggled financially the whole 5 years we have been here, (family of 5).
Sh*te happened, jobs lost, salary reduced (illegally).
Firts time ever in NZ we are now well off but ironically its because hubby works for a Aussie company earning $1800 pw.
Needless to say, when the job has finished here, we are following the team back to OZ and will be earning 3-4 times what we could get here.:)

Re: Well - How much then?
 

It is impossible to say. I don't know what your salaries are and what money you will be bringing over or how you live.... do you like buying clothes/shoes do you like nice things for the house? All of that has an impact on how you will live.

When we were in Chch we had a joint salary of over 100K $ and we did actually struggle compared to how we lived in the UK. I am aware that 100K is a good amount but for us it was not enough. We liked having coffee out a couple of times a week. We liked going out for something to eat (nothing flash - Pizza with friends) and we enjoyed a bottle of wine in the evenings. I did not buy clothes for a whole year, which for me was depressing.

Everyone is different, we do not like the feeling of having to struggle and we felt we were at times in NZ. That is just us though. There are many others that do not struggle at all and there are others that like us did.

So in summary it comes down to your expectation. What kind of house you want to live in and where, what equity you will bring, what your salaries will be. For example if you buy a house outright then you can do very well on a $70K salary but if you have a large mortgage then you might not be so flush.

Good luck, I am sure that you are doing the right thing and just having last minute nerves.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

What? You have to have a job, 2 kids and a mortgage to post on this site?

True, I've never read the site rules but I just assumed you had to be a British person thinking about moving to/wanting to live in/living in New Zealand to post on this forum.

Sorry if the idea that I might have money upsets you, but as you don't actually know me and have to base your ideas on what I type...then this is especially for you...

I live on the beach, eat what the seals and penguins leave behind and hope one day to get an entry-level job in IT.

Happy now?

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Yes please read the rules Avid..... you have to be married with 2.2, have a job and be very pro everything NZ to post on here. So please go now, if you go quietly I will throw in a few smilie faces to show that I am joking!!:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

(oops looks like I don't qualify to post here either - shall I get your coat when I get mine?!)

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Cheers Lexylou,

I am not one for shopping for clothes, as long as we are clean, tidy and smart then that does us just fine. We love having friends for dinner/bbq and don't go out much. With 4 kids who wants too, the little buggers!! We live in a small but modest 3 bedroom house but after years of struggling with debts and remortgaging, will only be taking about £50000 with us.

OH is a truckie and I am in office/admin/transport management. Our salaries here are around £45000 joint income so not loads. The family are very sports orientated. Motocross, boxing and football are our lives, so apart from getting a couple of bikes the rest dont usually cost that much.

My eldest is 17 and works so thats one that don't cost too much. My other worry is, the OH is very very laid back so I think it will suit him perfectly but I on the other hand am constantly at 100 miles an hour and am now worried that I wont "fit" in.

kato33

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Married...yes. Kids....no. Job....not at the moment, but I might think about getting one in the future.....or getting a student visa :lol::lol:

pro NZ...yes, I like it here....

less money than cherry....ah....that might be a problem.

I'll get my coat.....

Re: Well - How much then?
 

I am sure you will fit in fine. My MIL is 100% kiwi and does everything at 1000 miles an hour so there are plenty of people who are fast paced in NZ!

Where in NZ are you going? That will have a big impact on how far your £50K will go on house buying. Also will you both be working?

Re: Well - How much then?
 

yes, you don't have boat either so you better get your shoes also. Can you collect mine please.... I left them at the door.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

See your prior quote ( Mazi that is a excellent post ,salary wise we earn more than the amount you said but we are both skilled ) and you don't have a mortgage ,with more to come.
Hypocrite, me thinks.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

50k gbp wont buy anything outright in NZ, unless you are in the middle of nowhere and about 3 days travel away from work!:D:(

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Being told by a person who boasts about not having a mortgage but having a boat that I am too well-off to post here......

For goodness sake......

Actually, I had a boat but trying to steer it and post on this forum 20 hours a day led to tragedy.....

Re: Well - How much then?
 

:thumbsup:
must be really hard managing, my heart bleeds for them

Re: Well - How much then?
 

yes you men are no good at multi tasking.....!!

Re: Well - How much then?
 

We are looking at Bay of Plenty, don't really know why. A company has showed interest but are asking for the OH to go over on his own, which he really does not want to do as he likes being with the family. Crraaazzzyyyy man!

We will both be working as I am one of those saddo's who love to work.......keeps me from killing the kids...LOL

Kato33

Re: Well - How much then?
 

LOL LOL LOL LOL

You funny guy.

Keep 'em coming.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Thank God!!! A honest person!! Living in the UK was luxury, we just didn't know it until we moved to NZ. Can't live on these wages at all!!! Returning to uk June 07.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

I was having a conversation at work yesterday with a kiwi woman, really nice person she is. She was telling me that her 2 sisters live in OZ and her brother went to Canada 20 years ago, all for better wages and lifestyle.
She was asking what made us come to NZ as it couldn't possibly be the salary or the 'lifestyle' that NZIS spout!
I told her like most migrants we were conned into believing life was better and cheaper here when in truth, for us, its nether!
She says her sisters often ring her and ask "Is NZ still on the $10ph mentality mode"..:D
She laughed back and told them we have now had a rise to $11.25ph!:D Less 19% tax of course.
Its difficult to survive here unless you want to spend the rest of your life learning how to make 100 different meals with a lettuce leaf.:frown:

Re: Well - How much then?
 

You said it in ONE. If u want a decent standard of living and a quality of life. NZ is NOT the place!! Hooray at last for honesty!!

Re: Well - How much then?
 

We have never found the 'lifestyle' here. Its been all hard work, long hours and sh*te pay. Not to mention sh*te employers.:unsure:
I do not want to spend the rest of my life sitting in one city, having no money for fuel to drive anywhere different, no money for plane fares to travel anywhere decent. No money to enjoy anything at all in life. So different to our life we had back in UK. Then, we had a life, here has just been a existance.
If people are happy to just beach/BBQ or watch grass grow for the rest of their lives, thats fine, but its not for us, we would rather LIVE!:D
Off to OZ soon anyway.:D

Re: Well - How much then?
 

blimey... I wish i had TIME for watching grass grow!! :rofl: what with all the going to the beach, hanging out with friends, taking part in events, volunteering, stimulating rewarding work and enjoying life to the FULL we just don't get the time! :thumbsup:

We LOVE it here, and don't struggle nearly as much as we did in the UK.

So some people love it, some people hate it - sounds like anything in life really! and that's just the way it's always been and the way it always will be - vive la difference.

SF

Re: Well - How much then?
 

There's that word 'conned' again.

Please tell me who conned who. Many people do find the lifestyle better in NZ for them, and that is a personal and subjective matter..

Nobody in NZ says that we are in the top ranks of the OECD by wealth or income measures, like the UK is. It is clear where we rank, and clear that we would aspire to rise from our current "underperforming" status.

Spouting about being conned and 'some honesty at last' makes out there is some sort of conspiracy. Everyone has their own take on things, and clearly for some NZ is not the right solution. But just as clearly it is right for others.

Lets debate what makes it right and wrong for different people rather than sweeping statements either way.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

I just worked out my approximate hourly pay - $48.61 (I actually get paid by the year). My wife gets $65ph but no annual leave, pension scheme or health care (which I do get). I guess if you build up the right qualifications and experience so you are attractive to employers, you can get decent pay. In NZ, UK or anywhere.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

It's quite possible to earn the same, if not more, than was earned in the UK if you're in the right job and I never quite understand why people settle for less (maybe they fall for the tosh that the cost of living is lower in NZ?)

For some reason many migrants believe that if they accept an job on the NZ national average income this means that they will be able to make ends meet. Many come here to work for 2/3 - 1/2 of their old UK wages.

What they are NOT told is that the average wage isn't sufficient and many, many people have to claim state benefits.

The government taxes its residents to the hilt to pay for a state benefit system which susbidises a low wage economy. All this does is add to inflation (it is the greatest pressure on inflation in fact)...leads to higher interest rates...povery trap.

Interesting fact: NZ citizenship is taking 12 months to process at the moment due to the high number of applications and many people leave for Australia as soon as they have it.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

This question often crops up and is a very valid one. The problem with NZ is that property prices are way out of proportion to incomes.

This is because of various factors such as high immigration which keeps the property market up and an absence of any real restrictions on foreign investors buying up property in the country.

There is no stamp duty and the government has never been that interested in chasing up people for capital gains tax when they sell an investment (this may be changing soon though) so NZ property is an attractive way for many offshore Asian and Australian investors to make money, as well as many Nzlanders who use it as a pension 'fund'.

No one can really tell you how much you need to be comfortable in NZ. It depends on what your standards are like and how much you are prepared to put up with.

If you can be free of a mortgage things will be a lot easier for you that's for sure but when it comes to looking at a suitable salary/wage there is no reason why you shouldn't ask for the same as you're getting now. If they won't pay it then perhaps you should be asking why.

p.s. the trades are the worst for low pay.

Good luck.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Hi Nisey

Just to give you an idea of how we live. It might give you an idea of how some people can and do live here. We live in Auckland and between the pair of us (no kids) we earn just over $100,000 a year, soon to be going up with our yearly rise. We own our own house and because we didnt have a deposit we had to get a 100% mortgage which means we have a bloody high mortgage. But saying that we dont struggle at all. I am sure the no kids part has a lot to do with it but quite a few of our friends are in the same position as us i.e. same sort of money and mortgage but with kids and are not struggling either. We even have managed to do some travelling while living here including a trip back to the UK which is bloody expensive for us and a trip to the States so although expensive its not impossible. But that is living on the above wages. We go out regularly and in no way skimp on anything, although to be honest its not in my nature to skimp anyway and if I was earning peanuts I am pretty sure I would spend most of it!!:rofl: We also manage to save some money as well.

I hope the above doesnt sound preachy but just trying to make a point that it isnt all doom and gloom. I know what we earn would be considered a decent wage and it is but can only tell you about our experiences and with what we know.

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Someone with insight !! Yes, it is the price of the houses that is the reason for the seemingly bad pay. If you went to live in Thailand, you could afford to buy a palace, but your pay would be pennies. It is the current house prices in NZ, i agree. There are only 4 million people here = (ONLY 70 rugby pitches of people, the same area as a small lake). Why are more houses not being built ?

The crappy wooden shed houses start at 300K, more in the city ! Even to buy one of them you will need quite a big salary, and the interest rates are just starting to go up , i am waiting for the prices to drop!

Re: Well - How much then?
 

You get paid once a year? What kind of job is that? Pyramid builder or something??:lol:

So, assuming you work the same hours as most people...you get paid $93,000 on January 1st and that's it?

wow...

Re: Well - How much then?
 

Lighthouse Keeper??