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Randman · Apr 3, 2005, 09:23 PM

While next month marks my fifth year working and living in SE Asia (Singapore), and after a lengthy job search that took me as far as Dubai and back to the US, it appears I'm headed south, really south.

I've been offered and accepted a job in Auckland. Just starting the immigration process and trying to gather as much info as I can.

As since, many NZlanders are here on the site, thought I'd hit you all with a few questions. Feel free to pm or email if you wish as well.

1. recommendations on places to live, places to avoid. It'll be me, my fiancee and my terrier mix. Nothing too posh or pricey, but nice enough.

2. What's a decent salary for two to live on?

3. Anyone know about the acturial business down there? My fiancee is an actuary (UK educated) and is a little concerned about finding something there, or having us live on my salary alone for a spell.

4. Apple kit. Are there good stories down there? Does Apple Australia also serve NZ? How are prices?

5. Cellular carrier?

6. Cable/Internet provider.

7. I'm assuming Auckland is a dog-friendly city, but since I'll be importing my pooch in, if anyone has any recommendations ...

8. How's the shopping (non-Apple variety)?

9. My fiancee doesn't drive. She used to back in her uni days a little so she'd need lessons again. How's the public transport? How's the market for cars?

10. Anything else to suggest/recommend/warn?

Thanks, in advance. I'm looking forward to the move and upcoming challenge

Ω · Apr 3, 2005, 09:39 PM

Congrats on your decision!

1. recommendations on places to live, places to avoid. It'll be me, my fiancee and my terrier mix. Nothing too posh or pricey, but nice enough.

>>>>stay close to Central Auckland - for a backyard try Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Epsom, Mt Eden

2. What's a decent salary for two to live on?

>>>>>who knows! Depends on your decision above.

3. Anyone know about the acturial business down there? My fiancee is an actuary (UK educated) and is a little concerned about finding something there, or having us live on my salary alone for a spell.

>>>>>not a thing

4. Apple kit. Are there good stories down there? Does Apple Australia also serve NZ? How are prices?

>>>>expensive, though getting better. The biggest store is MagnumMac and have been around for a long time. A very basic online apple store has gone live recently.

5. Cellular carrier?

>>>>>Vodaphone is the choice of the younger generation, though Telecom is the biggest player

6. Cable/Internet provider.

>>>>>broadband is woefully expensive. Telecom owns the network so they tend to be the cheapest. Others are iHug, quicksilver.

7. I'm assuming Auckland is a dog-friendly city, but since I'll be importing my pooch in, if anyone has any recommendations ...

>>>>>dogs need to be a leash in most areas when walking. There are a few dog recreational areas as well. Too many kids were being mauled....

8. How's the shopping (non-Apple variety)?

>>>>>Certain areas are better than others. Most are usually close to the city. Will not be in the size/quantity you would have become accustomed too.

9. My fiancee doesn't drive. She used to back in her uni days a little so she'd need lessons again. How's the public transport? How's the market for cars?

>>>>>public transport sux. To highlight, today the major bus company went on strike. Personally don't own a car but you should be able to get one on the cheap.

10. Anything else to suggest/recommend/warn?

>>>>>don't eat the yellow snow!

nbnz · Apr 3, 2005, 09:52 PM

Hi Randman,

I am a NZer who used to live in Auckland, then Wellington - before moving to London and now Sydney (and soon back to London).

1. I've only ever lived on the North Shore, places on the north shore to recommend - any of the East Coast Bays, Takapuna, Devonport, Albany. All good.

2. NZ salary's are low relative to other developed countries, much lower than UK or US or Australia etc. I wouldn't move to Auckland for less that NZ$70-80,000pa

3. No idea

4. www.apple.co.nz now has an online store. Apple doesn't have a branch in NZ, the distributor is Renaissance (who run apple.co.nz)
The biggest retailer is MagnumMac who have an OK store in Auckland city (www.magnummac.co.nz). No, Apple Australia doesn't service NZ.

5. Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.nz) or NZ Telecom (www.telecom.co.nz). I would recommend Vodafone though.

6. Telecom is the biggest broadband supplier, from what I remember all ADSL services run through telecom anyway, but you can get different ISPs on the same service (if that makes sense).

7. ...

8. Shopping is OK, not great. Newmarket is good, or different malls around the suburbs. The CBD is not good for shopping.

9. Public transport is pretty rubbish, it's hard to get around without a car really. Car prices are high compared to US, but there are a lot of Japanese imports. Expect to pay anywhere from NZ$10-20,000 for a decent used import.

10. Enjoy!

ManOfSteal · Apr 3, 2005, 09:56 PM

Congrats Randman...best of luck!

Randman · Apr 3, 2005, 10:01 PM

Thanks.

CallumM · Apr 4, 2005, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by Randman:
[B]While next month marks my fifth year working and living in SE Asia (Singapore), and after a lengthy job search that took me as far as Dubai and back to the US, it appears I'm headed south, really south.

Congrats! Pity you're heading to Auckland, its much nicer in the South

1. recommendations on places to live, places to avoid. It'll be me, my fiancee and my terrier mix. Nothing too posh or pricey, but nice enough.

Wouldn't know, i'm from Dunedin (near the bottom of the South Island)

2. What's a decent salary for two to live on?

I'd agree with the $70 to 80 thousand mark someone else suggested.

3. Anyone know about the acturial business down there? My fiancee is an actuary (UK educated) and is a little concerned about finding something there, or having us live on my salary alone for a spell.

Don't even know what one is

4. Apple kit. Are there good stories down there? Does Apple Australia also serve NZ? How are prices?

A tad expensive, but not much you can do about it. MagnumMac is an ok store, but I'm not so keen on them, I've personally had bad service.

5. Cellular carrier?

Vodafone or Telecom. I use Vodafone, and am pretty happy with them. They are both moving to 3G at the current time although only Telecom has an active 3G network in place.

6. Cable/Internet provider.

Telecom. They supply ADSL both through their own ISP, Xtra, and also through resellers. The best ISP in my mind is Orcon http://www.orcon.net.nz .

7. I'm assuming Auckland is a dog-friendly city, but since I'll be importing my pooch in, if anyone has any recommendations ...

Not sure, i'm a cat person

Overall, welcome to our country

i'm sure you'll love it!

Spliff · Apr 4, 2005, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by nbnz:
Hi Randman,

I am a NZer who used to live in Auckland, then Wellington - before moving to London and now Sydney (and soon back to London).

What sort of job do you have that allows such mobility?

nbnz · Apr 4, 2005, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by Spliff:
What sort of job do you have that allows such mobility?

Business analyst for a shipping company. I was seconded from NZ to London to give business input on system design, and do some testing.. Then seconded to Sydney as helpdesk manager to support the system when it went live in Asia Pacific. Now my job is offshoring to India so I'm transferring back to London for a new BA role.

Best part is my last two roles (London and Sydney) were secondments, so I haven't had a bill (incl rent) for 3 1/2 years

Spliff · Apr 4, 2005, 02:07 AM

Originally posted by nbnz:
Best part is my last two roles (London and Sydney) were secondments, so I haven't had a bill (incl rent) for 3 1/2 years

That's awesome. You're lucky that your job took you to London and Sydney. I'd love to live and work in those cities.

Randman · Apr 4, 2005, 02:09 AM

That does sound like a good gig. Let us know if your company is hiring.

kiwibabe · Apr 4, 2005, 04:29 AM

Gidday, oops I mean hello :-)

1. I don't know about Auckland cause I don't live there but I know it rains lots.

2. A decent salary could be anywhere from NZ$30,000 upwards it depends on how much shopping you like to do.

3. I guess your fiance will have no problem finding a job, try seek.co.nz or
netcheck.co.nz, they are job web sites

4. Yep Apple stores are ok I guess, more expensive and things take ages to arrive.

5. Either vodafone or telecom for cellular carrier, personally I'm with vodafone cause I can
take my cell phone to lots of other countries

6. Internet provider, if you want adsl I would go with telecom, I have it and I haven't had
to many problems with them

7. Regarding the dog I would talk with as many people as you can about it, NZ has some serious border control and your dog may be in quarantine for some months

8. Shopping is shopping anywhere you go I guess.

9. Public transport it pretty bad in Auckland, I would get your fiance to get her licence
before she gets here, the licence testing in NZ is pretty tough, I know I'm going
through the system at the moment. With cars you can pay anything from $100 - ?
Pretty decent ones start from $4000 and up.

10. We don't have any poisonous snakes/spiders (yay), it can get cold, we don't have any koalas and kangaroos here (sorry most people confuse us with Australians).

Try this web site it is helpful with all sorts of NZ related info.
http://www.enzed.com/mov.html

Kiwibabe

skalie · Apr 4, 2005, 04:55 AM

http://www.nzlistener.co.nz/index.sm weekly articles, tv guide
http://www.nzherald.co.nz daily rag

Nivag · Apr 4, 2005, 05:09 AM

if you like the snow you could go here http://www.snowplanet.co.nz for some practice and then shoot down to the south island for the mountains!

moonmonkey · Apr 4, 2005, 06:59 AM

Assuming your dog is in Singapore, it should be able to do NZ quarantine locally.

contact Sam at http://www.petmovers.com.sg/

He helped move several dogs safely from Singapore to Sydney.

Randman · Apr 4, 2005, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by moonmonkey:
Assuming your dog is in Singapore, it should be able to do NZ quarantine locally.

contact Sam at http://www.petmovers.com.sg/

He helped move several dogs safely from Singapore to Sydney.

Hey, thanks will look into that. Xie xie ni.

moonmonkey · Apr 4, 2005, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by Randman:
Hey, thanks will look into that. Xie xie ni.

Bu ke qi

Randman · Apr 11, 2005, 04:19 AM

*bump*

In case anyone else had something to add.

Ω · Apr 11, 2005, 05:33 AM

Out of interest what are your plans regarding your living situation?

I would assume that you are looking for a house and not a flatmate wanted situation. If so are you currently tracking the rental market? Do you have any idea who the major players are as far as rental agencies are concerned?

Randman · Apr 11, 2005, 05:39 AM

I have some ideas on where to look but it's still preliminary right now. A house would be good, if the rate was fair. If not, a flat will do.

As far as agencies, have no idea. Have a giude published by the herald last year and wading through that but still getting all the immigration stuff squared away first.

Any suggestions?

Ω · Apr 11, 2005, 06:57 AM

You are lucky that the housing boom is starting to slow - capital gains the last few years has been very good for the home owner, very bad for the renter.

For a three bedroom house within 5km of the city centre be prepared to pay between $400-600 per week for an average house. You may be able to find a cheaper 2 bedroom, but it will not be by much. Go a little further out an you will save a bit, but lose out on the transport stakes, assuming you and your better half are working in the city. In giving up a bit of my anonymity I live about 3km from the city centre and pay $450 for a 3 bedroom house with a reasonable backyard.

An interesting aside might be to look at Mission Bay, especially if a beach atmosphere is more your thing. It is a bit further out if you are willing to commute (say 8-10km from the city centre). Another popular area is the North Shore which is full of "new money". I personally have never had much to do with that area, but the general consensus is that they are a bunch of ******!

As for the main real estate agencies I would have to say Bayleys, LJ Hooker, Ray White and Harcourts are the ones to look at. Wednesday and Saturday are the days to be browsing the paper for properties. If you give me a general idea about where you need to live I could give you are comprehensive list of suburbs that might fit your needs.

Is your new employer helping in the relocation? You might that they can find you a temporary solution for you while you are looking. Sadly for you your dog will be a stumbling block for finding a house as many owners are not willing to have renters with pets, due to the fact that in these periods of high demand they are spoilt for choice.

Also in relation to a post above about car prices; if you are willing to go second hand then you should be able to pick up a reasonable car for well under $10k.

Randman · Apr 11, 2005, 07:21 AM

Thanks, I'll pm when it gets a little closer. Yeah. having a pet can be a bit of a drag when househunting but worth it in the long run. I wouldn't want to rent anywhere where pets weren't allowed anyways.

At first, I may just get something basic as my s/o will stay on with her job for a few months until she has something locked up.

Ω · Apr 11, 2005, 07:33 AM

If I don't respond to the PM bump this thread as I tend to miss PM's - once it took over 6 months for me check my inbox to find I had a message.