xpatadventure

We were told that prices of sport equipments and household items in NZ are much more expensive than in the US. We currently don't have any belongings so planning to buy everything new.

How about these items?

Appliances, electronics such as computers, iPad, iPod, iPhone, outdoor gears for skiing, hiking, and camping, and a zodiac w/wo an engine, a piano, a guitar, furnitures including new mattresses and linens????

Is it a good idea to bring these with us or better off to get them in NZ?

More suggestions would be great!

Thanks

irish_eyes

Not sure if the voltage is the same in the US as it is here, so you would need to check that out and if it isnt dont bother bringing electrical items. As for everything else, I would bring as much as you can. It is expensive to buy stuff here but there are sales on at the moment and deals to be had. In my opinion tho its really great to have your belongings around you in a different country.

Bonesyhead

And don't forget your hard hat.

jmh

Just curious, not that it's any of my business. Are you not put off by the earthquake? A great many of people are leaving the city right now. Or maybe you have quake-related work. Hope you don't mind me asking.

chippy64

And a sense of humour!

My OH and son moved out to ChCh Oct 2010 with nothing. The first couple of places they stayed in had furniture, so it wasn't until April this year, when my other son joined them and they moved into unfurnished accom, that they had to buy stuff.

He has found that TV's are cheaper than in the UK, but computers iphones etc much the same. We have just paid NZ$1800 for 3 beds - 1 queen and 2 doubles including decent quality mattresses. They gave us 6 pillows, sheets and pillow cases with that.

As for outdoor living, our new 6 burner BBQ cost NZ$540 - it's a beast! Skiing, camping, tramping very popular so there is equipment priced to suit. You can pick up a tent in Warehouse for NZ$100, or you can go to a specialist shop and pay a lot more. Suggest you look at Kathmandu or Macpac to get an idea. You can also look at trademe.co.nz - similar to ebay.

So, there are bargains to be had but also, some things are expensive. The way we are looking at things are - 1. do I need/want it? and 2. can I afford it? We don't tend to convert prices back to GBP, as we are earning and paying NZD, so not much point!

Anyway, that's info for people coming from UK - sorry I can't help on price comparisons for US.

Snap Shot

A first aid kit and a counsellor to help you with PTSD after your first 50 or so earthquakes. Oh, and a wheelbarrow to help you dispose of your belongings that get broken in the earthquakes. Plus several shovels to dig out tons and tons of liquefied mud, by hand from your kitchen floor, living room floor, garage floor. Don't forget that it's wet, stinks and sets like concrete within hours.

A torch to light your way when there's a powercut. Batteries for the torch as the shops will be shut because of the earthquake damage. A camping toilet as you won't be able to flush your toilet because of infrastructure damage to the sewers. Several 5litre water bottles for when there's no drinking water. Water purification tablets as the drinking water in Christchurch is often unsafe to drink. There's a boil water notice in Christchurch but good luck boiling water with no electricity during a power cut.

I can only imagine this is what is was like living in London during the blitz. Only this time there's no threat of bombs being dropped. Just the racing certainty of another earthquake. How long till another fatal earthquake ? What odds would you give me ?

Arrived in Riccarton March 2011, moved to Linwood March 2011 left June 2011. Phew !

When you have used the wheel barrow to dump your broken belongings on the kerbside for collection you can then put that same wheelbarrow to good use dealing with the liquefaction.

It's ok, just put the liquefied mud in the gutter next to yours and your neighbours broken necks, backs, legs er I mean belongings.

How do the ambulances and fire brigade get through the liquefaction in the streets and the smashed up road surfaces ?

chippy64

Yes, the water had to be boiled for 7 weeks after the February quake and for a week after the June one, but that's it! The whole of NZ is at risk of an earthquake. You could also be run over by a driver high on drugs or drunk wherever you live in the world!

I would agree that it is sensible to have a store of water, a torch etc. That advice applies to wherever you live in NZ. Oh and wellies (or gumboots) are a good idea too

sr71

40 million Californians don't seem to be concerned

From my experience of spending about 8 weeks in the US this year, absolutely everything is cheaper in the US, in some case by sickening amounts (clothing for example, particularly if you buy at outlet malls) Not an NZ thing, cheaper than everywhere.

jmh

California is not a pile or rubble right now.

sr71

No, my point is that California is on a much more active fault than Christchurch and is certain to have major events in the future, yet life goes on for 40 million people. Why should people avoid or abandon Christchurch now if it's a place they love to live under normal circumstances

derab

I am not too sure about the Zodiac and the mattress, they might turn out to be a bit bulky for their value, but bring the rest.
Your Computer gear should have a 110/220V switch on the power supply and the transformer for a laptop will automatically make the adjustment, you just have to buy the "jug cords" mains cable to the wall with the NZ pattern plug. I go to Aus to buy my computer gear, so the US would be far cheaper.

Remember San Francisco in 1989 had the Money and the Political will to repair and get on with Business. 2 things I honestly think are not Present in Christchurch in 2011, so expect a long slog to normality, which might be a good thing if you are in a related trade.
A good tip would be to keep west of Barbadoes street when you look for a place to Rent when you arrive, that seems to be the Demarcation line between the levels of Damage.

oh, and dont cut all of your financial ties to the States, you might find a US bank credit card handy at times, especially if you have an Ipod or a Kindle, the cost per item is much more here for those pieces of gear (i.e a song or a book)

jmh

Now would certainly be a good time to pick up a cheap property - look on the bright side eh?

BEVS

I feel this is ultimately down to $$$ as is so many things in our lives these days.
LA may have more in the coffers to help assist with EQ problems, not to mention strategies for infrastructure damages. NZ has far less .

Then that's a whole other ball game & is an emotional attachment. If this had been Bournemouth , I may well have felt the same.

I'm off topic.

I'll bugger off to the other thread about Xch.

Apologies to the OP.

sr71

Apparently not, anything good has already been snapped up I have heard and there is a shortage.

jmh

I think Bevs makes the point that I was trying to in a roundabout way. If your heart and soul is in Christchurch and you feel it is your home. Your family live there and you are confident that you will be able to support yourself, stick with Christchurch. If you have never been there and there is no attachment to the place over any other, why choose Christchurch when even long term residents are wanting to leave? It may be that the OP has a deep connection with Christchurch which is why I asked the question. I'm curious and it's not for me to criticise someone making that decision.

Edited to ad: I have family in ChCh. Half want to leave, the other half say they will never leave because that's where they belong.