Hi everyone
We hope to be on our way to Auckland in the next couple of months. On a one year work visa which we will no doubt extend or switch to working to PR. Please give me your personal opinion of life in Auckland. We are looking at areas around and including Howick? Hubby's work will be based there and having a 10 minute commute to work at present has us lazy about sitting in the car too long.
How have you all settled in? Have you all made friends? One of my concerns is that we made a lot of good friends through PomsinOz and through work/school and this is what I will miss. Starting over again!! though I hear Kiwi's are a friendly bunch. Those of you with kids, how have they settled into School?
I believe with the one year visa we will need private health care. We have it hear even though also have Medicare. We pay 230 per month and it's pants to be honest!! Does anyone have their pets insured? I have dog club references, landlord references and neighbour references regarding how good our woofs are. I am coming prepared!!
Rental accommodation is it as bad as Canberra? I have had a look and it seems similar old rubbish houses around 500 a week with a few good ones around 700/800. I don't want to sell (Ireland)until we are committed to NZ and house prices in Ireland creep up so will be renting for a while.
I am just about to go on and do a pretend weekly shop to compare prices...should I be prepared for a shock? The Jaws theme tune keeps popping into my head!! How far does your money go (I know everyone spends differently) but always good to hear if people find reasonable for buying/entertainment/eating out etc....We will be on around $175,000 and after our 10 year old is settled in to school then I will look for a part time job (fingers crossed). Not wanting to spend all our money on rent we are looking at the around 500-600.
Thank you for any Input you can provide.