New Zealand

[msquared]

what part of nz are you thinking of moving to?

It'd be Wellington or Auckland, at least for the first year or two.

As far as further questions.. I'm not even sure what to ask. A lot of what I need to know (what power? what side do you drive on? do I even need a car? is NZ motorcycle friendly?) can be found with a few hours of internetting while some of the more intangible questions (what kind of general music scene is there? what's the quality of beer in NZ? what should I look for in a house? will I be a pariah if I show up without a TV?) require some thought. Just responding to your post shows me how much I take for granted on a day to day basis. Moving around America in the last decade has shaken that up a bit but it's hard to know what I'll miss until I'm already missing it, which makes it a bit tough to prepare for and factor into the eventual decision making process.

If you have the opportunity, what the hell are you waiting for?

"One does not simply walk into New Zealand!"

Kiwi Kid makes a great point. I'm mainly trying to get a feel for how much of it is hype and how much of it is reality. There's also a matter of trying to figure out what to take and what to leave behind. And what to do with my house. Little things like that.

 

[mlowe]

It'd be Wellington or Auckland, at least for the first year or two.

As far as further questions.. I'm not even sure what to ask. A lot of what I need to know (what power? what side do you drive on? do I even need a car? is NZ motorcycle friendly?) can be found with a few hours of internetting while some of the more intangible questions (what kind of general music scene is there? what's the quality of beer in NZ? what should I look for in a house? will I be a pariah if I show up without a TV?) require some thought. Just responding to your post shows me how much I take for granted on a day to day basis. Moving around America in the last decade has shaken that up a bit but it's hard to know what I'll miss until I'm already missing it, which makes it a bit tough to prepare for and factor into the eventual decision making process.



"One does not simply walk into New Zealand!"

Kiwi Kid makes a great point. I'm mainly trying to get a feel for how much of it is hype and how much of it is reality. There's also a matter of trying to figure out what to take and what to leave behind. And what to do with my house. Little things like that.

Good point, maybe visit for a holiday first? Don't forget, it's easy to take what you have for granted. Most people who don't live there and visit get the shock of how nice it is. When you live in it it you become complacent.

Just like when I was in KC, it was all great but to be honest, getting back here made my eyes open wide and realize how good this place is to "live".

Visiting first is of course a reasonable expense but could be a good measure not to knee jerk.

 

[ROON]

All I can say is don't believe all hype about NZ being some sort of un-touched paradise. Sure, there are alot of nice things about NZ, but it's just like any other part of the world. You'll find people will fall over backwards to help you out though. And if you get tired of NZ, you can pop over to OZ. It's a 2hr flight from Wellington.

Kiwi Kid, for most people New Zealand IS an un-touched paradise. It has very small cities compared to the rest of the world, and it doesn't take long to drive out and see some amazing scenery. And I think that's what appeals to people. I like New Zealand for its people. 80% of the people in Sydney are all uptight, it seems everyone is in a rush to get somewhere, and if you accidently get in their path they arn't going to be happy. I don't feel at home here. NZ is laid back and easy going, and the people are always very helpfull and friendly. That's why I love it!

 

[msquared]

Just like when I was in KC, it was all great but to be honest, getting back here made my eyes open wide and realize how good this place is to "live".

I've got a coworker who is here in KC on a work visa and it's been interesting to pick his brain on Oz vs US living, and to see his perception of things change here and there. Just from talking to him I've had the expat bug for a while now.

And yeah.. I'd definitely go spend a couple weeks there or something before picking up and moving there. At this point I guess my main questions are "why now?" and "if now, why NZ?" The answers seem obvious on the surface anyway. I've never had a real reason to go there other than that it looks awesome and that I am fond of awesome.

 

[Krisfield]

Kiwi Kid, for most people New Zealand IS an un-touched paradise. It has very small cities compared to the rest of the world, and it doesn't take long to drive out and see some amazing scenery. And I think that's what appeals to people. I like New Zealand for its people. 80% of the people in Sydney are all uptight, it seems everyone is in a rush to get somewhere, and if you accidently get in their path they arn't going to be happy. I don't feel at home here. NZ is laid back and easy going, and the people are always very helpfull and friendly. That's why I love it!

fair comment. all I'm saying is that once you could leave you're front door unlocked at night or when you go out, but now you can't.

 

[Krisfield]

Some things to consider.

I'd leave anything electrical behind because of the different power voltage (NZ 220 - 240V AC USA 110 - 120V AC). You could use a voltage converter though. Don't sell you're house in the US. Don't buy a house in NZ because the housing market is running red hot and could collapse. Try and rent a house out in the suburbs - cheaper. Public transport is good. but if you want to explore, you'll need a car/motobike. NZ is very Motobike friendly. You'll need to get some sort of international drivers licence, if there is such a thing. NZ drivers on the left side of the road. Could take time to get used to it I should imagine. Keep everything locked/tied down. You could even leave your clothes behind and buy some cheap chinese knockoffs from the Warehouse.

Smile and have fun, Kiwi's love American's

 

[msquared]

fair comment. all I'm saying is that once you could leave you're front door unlocked at night or when you go out, but now you can't.

For my own personal reference WRT crime, where in NZ are you?

There are many places in America where locking your front door ever is considered a sign of paranoia. And of course there are places where you don't buy a house that doesn't have bars on the windows and three deadbolts and above ground sleeping with a locking door at the top of the staircase. In major cities, seeing those scenarios within a ten miles of each other is common.

 

[Krisfield]

For my own personal reference WRT crime, where in NZ are you?

There are many places in America where locking your front door ever is considered a sign of paranoia. And of course there are places where you don't buy a house that doesn't have bars on the windows and three deadbolts and above ground sleeping with a locking door at the top of the staircase. In major cities, seeing those scenarios within a ten miles of each other is common.

Masterton, north of Wellington on the east coast. Very modern town, very quite. Lot of people who work in Wellington live in Masterton.

 

[mlowe]

Good point, maybe visit for a holiday first? Don't forget, it's easy to take what you have for granted. Most people who don't live there and visit get the shock of how nice it is. When you live in it it you become complacent.

Just like when I was in KC, it was all great but to be honest, getting back here made my eyes open wide and realize how good this place is to "live".

Visiting first is of course a reasonable expense but could be a good measure not to knee jerk.

I think all the posts your getting here while everyone likes to promote their own are very honest and accurate. Even in Melbourne it's very safe but we always lock doors and cars. Petty theft is common. Murders are not so common. As pointed out by another post on here, it is dependent on where you are. NZ just like Australia I'm sure has it's small parts that you don't go to at times but put it this way, every single person that I've ever met that's either a kiwi, an aussie that's lived there or visited always says exactly the same. The comments are totally consistent that NZ is a very neat place and the people are even better.

Aussies tend to pick on the kiwis a bit in fun but the bottom line is they are very fond of our neighbors. Football spans as does the touring car racing now. We need to be friendly with the sheep guys that's where all the good cheese and ice cream comes from!

As for the NZ natives, my next door neighbors are. They are huge pussies. Certainly they will tare you limb from limb but they have hearts of gold and like blood friends once your in with them. Good friends bad enemies.

If you visit there make sure you see them play football, nothing like the KC chiefs, these guys are like walking trees.


******* BASS GEAR ******** Make sure you DON'T sell your bass gear. Bass gear here and in NZ that is from USA is VERY expensive. For example a Fender American Jazz is $2800 new, a Marcus Miller 4 is about $2600 and say a Stingray 5 would be $2500/3000! Keep your basses & cabs and see if you can get heads there that switches power between your 110 and 240v.

 

[Munjibunga]

Hope you like sheep.

 

[mlowe]

Kiwis do! heehhehheheh

You know why kiwis don't take their wives to the football?

















They jump the fence and eat the grass.......

Also, make sure you watch the immigration info doc
Invalid Link Removed

 

[vindy500]

lol,m when i lived in denmark everyone asked me how many sheep i owned in nz (i live in the middle of the city!)


if the choice is wellington or auckland pick wellington, avoid auckland like the plague, too big, too much traffic...

petty thief is common, lock your doors, its not hard, buy a car if you have a family, a bike if you dont, or a car anyway if you dont like motorbikes get a cellphone, everyone over here has one, driving on the other side of the road is actually pretty easy to get used to, dont stress about it too much

good luck

 

[ROON]

lavoid auckland like the plague, too big, too much traffic...

Too boring.

 

[sikkinixx]

Im from Australia, and while Ive never been to NZ personally, my brother has and my best mate and her hubby are Kiwis.
From all accounts, NZ is a beautiful country, particularly the south island. Hot springs, snow-capped mountains, raging rivers and some of the most pituresque scenery are at your doorstep.
As for getting in, easy as pie. Like Australia, NZs immigration laws are nowhere near as strict as The States.
Once there, you are also free to travel back and forth to Australia without the need for a visa, as we have an agreement between the two countries.
If you get the chance, jump with both feet. It would be a wonderful experience for you, your wife and your kids. Something you will never forget.
Good luck and happy flying.

P.S. If you do it, and want to visit Australia, give me a hoy, Id be happy to show you around Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

 

[Krisfield]

Aussies tend to pick on the kiwis a bit in fun but the bottom line is they are very fond of our neighbors.

What sound does Aussie make when rooting a Kangaroo?

Oi Oi Oi Oi...

 

[mlowe]

What sound does Aussie make when rooting a Kangaroo?

Oi Oi Oi Oi...

That's pretty funny! LOL haven't heard that one yet.