Thinking about moving to New Zealand?
Me and my fiance thinking about saving up and in a few years moving to a different country, we now live in America and are thinking of going to New Zealand (We aren't sure which region yet, we haven't researched very much into it yet) I have a few questions to ask to get a little bit more information about the place.
-How long is the average work week here? (the typical american work week is 40 hours a week, 5 days a week)
-How is the job outlook? Is the country is debt or poverty? (It is very hard to find a decent job in America, even with a degree, as we are in terrible debt)
-Can you choose your own occupation, religion, home, etc?
-Can anyone attend the colleges? Are they really expensive and do you have any help from the government with paying for it?
-How is the healthcare there? Is it free?
-Is it dangerous for Americans to live there? Do gangs target Americans?
-What is the average price for a decent one bedroom apartment or small house? (Decent as in not a trailer or in a bad area)
-What is the average price for a used or new car?
-Do you have subways or buses throughout the cities?
-What is the weather like there? Tempurature wise and are there a lot of storms or hurricanes?
-Can anyone visit the beach at anytime?
-Is there any international number to call for more information?
-How mnuch should we save up before moving?
-Would it be easy to get an occupation in photography or marine biology?
-Do degrees from America transfer to New Zealand?
If there is anything else, appropriate, that you would like to add, please do so. And please respond if you have lived or been there before. Thank you very much in advance!
..................................................................
-How long is the average work week here? (the typical american work week is 40 hours a week, 5 days a week)
We work very long hours here. Average is 50 hours a week
-How is the job outlook? Is the country is debt or poverty? (It is very hard to find a decent job in America, even with a degree, as we are in terrible debt)
No, not in debt or poverty. Jobs will depend on your luck and skills, if you've got the qualification, how hard you look, if you're not fussy, if you're willing to take up any job and won't care so much about the salary
-Can you choose your own occupation, religion, home, etc?
Yes
-Can anyone attend the colleges? Are they really expensive and do you have any help from the government with paying for it?
We have tuitions and fees and yes they are mostly expensive, especially if you are an international student
-How is the healthcare there? Is it free?
Not always free. Depends on where you go and what for. Check out for more:
http://www.emigratenz.org/healthcare-mig?
-Is it dangerous for Americans to live there? Do gangs target Americans?
Not dangerous but not 100% or even 90% safe, however it is safe enough. You'll meet different kinds of people who will love you and who won't
-What is the average price for a decent one bedroom apartment or small house? (Decent as in not a trailer or in a bad area)
Rent or buy? If you buy, it'll be much much more expensive. To rent will also depend what type of property(House, apartment, unit, studio etc), the location, how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want etc. You just have to look very carefully because some can be ridiculously expensive. But the average i would say is $280, but prices will range from $190 to $900
-What is the average price for a used or new car?
New cars are way too expensive and you'll need to put that aside for now unless you're rich. There are heaps of used cars within the $10000 price range.
-Do you have subways or buses throughout the cities?
Yes
-What is the weather like there? Tempurature wise and are there a lot of storms or hurricanes?
Not really storms or hurricanes. Lol. Cold/warm climate. South island is colder than the north. We have temparate/oceanic climate.
-Can anyone visit the beach at anytime?
Yes for most parts.
-Is there any international number to call for more information?
Info about? But i would think so
-How mnuch should we save up before moving?
Heaps heaps.
-Would it be easy to get an occupation in photography or marine biology?
Interesting. You would i guess, but wouldn't be so easy
-Do degrees from America transfer to New Zealand?
Not sure what kind of degrees you mean
...................................................................
not happening, same as with your other questions. As an American you are very limited on the countries you can move to easily, you need a special skill that these countries don't have.
See my answer to your earlier question. Migration rules are essentially the same as Australia.
.................................................................
Out of interest, why do you think you will be allowed to move to New Zealand? Do you think we are some sort of backward country who will let anyone in?
You might be surprised to find out that we do not drop our pants at any American who wants to come and live here. Shania Twain yes, you....
I live in Auckland, and have my whole life
The average work week is 40hours, 5 days a week (typically 9am-5pm)
The country isn't in debt, I don't believe it is hard to find a job but it can take 6 or so months to get into certain industries.
You can choose your own occupation (assuming you have a visa permit + there are jobs available at the time) and you can choose your own religion and home. NZ is very multicultural, there is literally every ethnicity and every religion here.
Anyone can attend colleges, but placing can be limited for certain studies + there are pre-requesites for entry. Citizens can get student loans that they pay back interest free - but as you wont be an NZ citizen I doubt this will apply to you - if you are granted citizenship though, then yes.
Healthcare is not expensive. You can buy health insurance. Basically if you go public, it is free (for surgeries etc, going public means you go on a waiting list and can be waiting quite a while) You pay more to go private - and that way you can receive treatment immediately. (For example I had a lump I needed an ultrasound on, I could have waited 2 months to get a free ultrasound - but I chose to go private and pay $380 and I had it done 1 day after seeing my GP) GP visits (for general check ups etc) are $20-$60 and going to hospital is free (for citizens) if you dont have citizenship, you will have to pay.
Gangs dont target anyone in particular. NZ is not unsafe. I have never had any issues with gangs. Usually you will only run into trouble if you have involved yourself with them, and not paid them what you owed (or tried to exit the gang without following the 'ritual')
In Auckland - prices are high. You are looking at $300,000+ to purchase a small home or apartment in a reasonable area. The best areas (such as Remuera) you will be looking at $500,000+. Auckland is very expensive. If you buy out of auckland, you can halve the prices.
For a car - Average used car (depending on age) $2000-10000. New car, $45000-$70000. Petrol is expensive right now though, Last time I checked it was $2.07 per litre.
Yes we have both trains and buses through the cities. Running very regular through Auckland and they are cheap.
Weather is good (again, I am referring to Auckland) It is winter right now and we hover around 7-10degrees (celcius) during the day. In summer, we only get around the late 20s. It does snow down south. We get the odd thunder or hail storm. Nothing too intense though.
Beaches are free for anyone anytime.
I would save up $20,000+ before moving. You cant predict how long you will need to set yourself up (getting a job etc) it may be best to apply for jobs before you move. Our top website for job searching in NZ is
www.seek.co.nz
You can look up the university of auckland (or otago or something) to see how your degrees may match up to ours/how to transfer.
..............................................................
Ray
what you think about New Zealand ?
it sounds nice.
I think you could sneak in maybe on a boat over the border . Pack a bunch of tamales and gallons of water.
I think you will be back in a hurry and love the next four years of Obama after a few months in New Zealand.