Strange Question....

[linda]

I know....but.... (didn't know where to post this so I'll put it here)

.....just wondering...if anyone here is familiar/knowledgeable about life or living in New Zealand? (I warned y'all it was a strange question lol ;D)

I'd appreciate any insights at all.

Thanks!

Linda

[braided-rug]

Australian do have some knowledge of life in New Zealand. We had friends who lived in Australia for a long time and now have gone home.

I think lots came here to work, New Zealand's economy wasn't so good in the 80s, I think that was the reason.

Our friends are in Hamilton. When they were here they felt cold, which was amazing.

Have you ever been to Heartfelt's blog?

teatodtoad.typepad.com/my_weblog/

It is a shame that rosebee hasn't been able to post lately, she is a Kiwi. They are moving house, so not sure she would answer a pm, but you could try.

Anyway ask me a question, I may be able to answer. Actually Sue is a native of New Zealand from memory, Sue help!

Elisa may know some answers as well.

[suec]

I lived in New Zealand for about 20 Years. I have lived in Australia for alot longer! Life and living was similar, but there were differences. One major difference we noticed was the back door to homes. In New Zealand you always went to the back door if you knew the people. Front door if a stranger. In Australia the back door was/is usually fenced off! Wages were lower in NZ, but so was the cost of living. Travel in New Zealand- a beach was usually found about an hour away from anywhere. Spiders - smaller in New Zealand and non poisonous. No snakes in NZ. Indigenous NZ'ers - lovely people, but as with all countries there are also problems. Climate depends on the area. North of the North Island very pleasant.

Sue

But ask some specific questions and maybe we can help!

[linda]

Thanks, ladies!

I know absolutely nothing about NZ...other than where it is located. I've heard so many people though, say it is a lovely place and that NZ'ers are very friendly people. I was interested in knowing just the things you both have mentioned....like things about the climate (temps, do they have a lot of rain, etc.), the cost of living, wages (although I can only compare it to here, because I don't know what the cost of living is anywhere else....well maybe I know a bit about the States as it is so close. For example, I believe their taxes are lower than ours, but they also have a lot less social programs ie universal health care etc.) Hmmmm....no snakes and small non poisonous spiders...that's good too.

That's amazing, BR, that your friends from NZ felt cold while in Australia (oh my...I wonder what they would think of here )

That's funny about the door thing, Sue....as it is similar here in Canada. Where we are from (Ontario), generally speaking.....if you're a stranger, you go to the front door. If you know the people, you go to the back/side door.....so I guess the same as NZ.

But...here in NL....everyone goes to the side/back door. The front door is hardly ever used and quite often in the winter...it's blocked by snow that never gets shoveled off.

I'll have to ask dh if he has any specific questions. ;D

I guess I would like to know.....what would the minimum wage in NZ be?

What would some general food items cost? (Say like milk or some fruit etc.)....just for me to get the idea of costs.

Rent....any idea what a one bedroom apartment would go for? (ball park)

Thanks for your posts and help ladies --- I really appreciate it!

Linda

[braided-rug]

You would get lots of information about buying food at this blog:

atthegoodlife.blogspot.com/

I have been following her posts more or less, for a long time.

[linda]

Thanks, BR!.......I'll check out that blog. I enjoyed the other blog you posted.

Linda

[violet]

Linda, a friend came back a year ago after living there for 2 years. The whole family absolutely loved the place, the lifestyle, the people, everything. Their children were younger, and started school there, which was a big help.

I think that housing in what are considered nicer areas is quite expensive, but on the whole living costs were not dissimilar to Australia. Which doesn't tell you much, does it!

Here's a real estate site:

www.realestate.co.nz/

Like Australia, there are disadvantaged areas which have problems, but most of it is bound to be fine.

It does rain a lot, hence the lushness of photos of NZ. It's small, which can be a plus or a minus, it has some spectacular coastline and is quite beautiful in parts.

Icebreaker wool clothes come from NZ, and on new garments there's a tag with a number you type into a website which will show you the farm where the sheep which produced the wool in that particular garment came from. I think it's pretty cool!

Here's a cost of living calculator:

www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.HTML

A government site with similar info:

www.immigration.govt.nz/nzopportunities/lifestyle/costofliving/

I was last there 3 decades ago, and still remember how pretty it was.

Climate info:

www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/weather-and-climate.html

And if you move there, it's not very expensive to come and visit Australia, or vice versa. ;D

A friend who was born there still goes back a couple of times a year to visit her vast family, most of whom still live there. If you have any specific questions, I can put them to her and between us all it should help you form a picture of the country.

[linda]

Wow....thanks, Elisa! Lots of good info and links there. I will check them out tomorrow morning when I'm a bit brighter (it's 11:14 here)


LOL....that's what I told dh.....we could wing over to Australia for a visit.... ;D

Linda

[violet]

Linda, if you'd like to 'speak' with a couple of wool farmers, go to this link:

www.icebreaker.com/site/baacode/index.html

and type this in the 'baacode' trace area: F66A62574

It will take you to a list of the two farms that the wool from my garment originated. There's a very short video to listen to on each link; the first chap isn't so chatty, but he talks about the climate where he is, and the couple on the second link sound lovely.