Valerie
@prettywitty
American expat in New Zealand
Forum posts
41
Contacts
3
About me
American
Lives in Auckland
Speaks English
Registration: 11 January 2012
Property prices in New Zealand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Finding affordable housing in New Zealand is number one priority for newcomers. Tell us more about the estate market in your district/city/region. What are the most desired places to live? What are the most affordable ones? ...
I agree, the housing quality is not of the same standard as Europe and certainly no where near that of the USA. You can find comfortable housing on the North Island where I live, if you look around a bit. It is expensive though. In the USA I paid ... Read More
to work as a doctor by madushika lokuarachchi
Hi I'm planning to migrate to new Zealand with my husband.I would like to work as a doctor.anybody know how to get started?
I agree Kiwis aren't the best drivers in the world but they do use indicators for the most part. At least in the Auckland area they do. They're not the worst drivers I've ever seen but still drive worse than where I'm from. It's ... Read More
Wanting to head out to incredible NZ by Flashgear
Hello all! I'm new to 天美麻豆 and I'm excited to be here! I'm hoping I can get some much needed guidance in moving over to this incredible country, NZ and meet some people along the way :) This is such an awesome resource of a site ...
I already had a job when I came to NZ but didn't have registration with the council in my field so I came on a visitors visa and I visited for 6 weeks until my registration went through and then applied for a work visa. I then was able to start ... Read More
Setting up Business in NZ
Best to contact immigration on that issue. Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to New Zealand? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in New Zealand, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
I love NZ and would move again in a heart beat. Lovely scenery, nice people, no drastic climate changes. an all around lovely place to be. Read More
Essentials to live in New Zealand by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in New Zealand, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in New Zealand? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you ...
No need to bring a lot of stuff with you to NZ. A lot of apartments and other rental properties can be rented with everything and I do mean everything already supplied. From bedding and towels to cutlery, plates and frying pans. I would only bring ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in New Zealand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to New Zealand is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of New Zealand? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
I live on the North Island just North of Auckland so winters are rainy but mild temperatures. It rarely gets down to freezing. It can be quite cool at times with the rain and humidity but nothing like winters in the USA where I came from. Houses ... Read More
to work as a doctor by madushika lokuarachchi
Hi I'm planning to migrate to new Zealand with my husband.I would like to work as a doctor.anybody know how to get started?
I went through an agency called Accent Health Care. They got me the interview and were a great guide as far as how to put together my CV and apply for licensure and such. Read More
Newbie in Auckland
A good way to meet people and have some fun is thru Meetup groups. Just type in Meet up groups Auckland in your browser and you should be able to find something fun to do and make some new friends as well. Read More
Making phone calls in New Zealand
If you are moving here from overseas the cheapest way to call over seas family is via skype. To call the USA from here it is 10 cents to connect and 2 to 3 cents a minute there after. The price of a decent cell phone plan is around $49 a month. You ... Read More
Driving in New Zealand by Maximilien
Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in New Zealand? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excess聟 what are the characteristics of the driving ...
I find the traffic is much slower in New Zealand than in big cities in the USA. Fewer speeders in New Zealand also. Motorcycles are quite scary here. They weave in and out of traffic, pull up on your left side and pass you by driving in between the ... Read More
Safety in New Zealand by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in New Zealand? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think ...
I have lived here for 3 years and find NZ to be much safer than the USA. Yes there is crime in NZ and in some areas there seems to be quite a lot. I think most crime is related to drinking and drugging. I feel pretty safe since I don't engage in ... Read More
Accommodation and transport in Christchurch by Jgamba
I secured employment in Christchurch from 3 August 2015. My wife and I need accommodation for about 6 - 9 months. What is the best way to source and secure a rental apartment/ house (preferably furnished)? How easy is it to do everything from ...
Also look at www.realestate.co.nz. They usually have rental listings Read More
Help/Advice Needed about relocation to NZ by lmclmf2009
Hello Everyone, I was hoping you could offer some advice to us. My husband, myself and our 7 year old daughter are considering a move to NZ in the next year or so. We are from the U.S. but currently reside in the Dominican Republic. We had a few ...
I moved here from the USA about 3 years ago. I live in the Auckland area as that is where most of the jobs seem to be. If your husband is a labourer he could most likely find work in Christ Church which is a little cheaper to live in than the ... Read More
Healthcare Jobs by Dhooy7
I am considering getting my Bachelor's degree and then traveling to New Zealand to see how I like it. If I like it I will probably get a work visa for 2 years and then get residency and go onto school to get reduced education costs, such as ...
I work at Auckland City hospital on the mental health unit and we have around 19 vacancies at the moment for nurses and allied health. Read More
Healthcare Jobs by Dhooy7
I am considering getting my Bachelor's degree and then traveling to New Zealand to see how I like it. If I like it I will probably get a work visa for 2 years and then get residency and go onto school to get reduced education costs, such as ...
You would have to qualify for a work visa before you can move here. Your profession would have to be on the skills shortage list. Best to get a degree in the USA for something on the skills shortage list such as nursing or other medical field ... Read More
The Big move
That sounds like a question for immigration. To the best of my knowledge you can not look for work while on a visitor visa. I am from the USA and have lived in NZ for 3 years. I was not allowed to work if I came over on a visitor visa. Read More
Planning to come to New Zealan
Sorry but without a job offer it will be nearly impossible to immigrate to NZ. Read More
Psychologist wants to move to NZ by Stardust87
Hello friends, I have been following the posts on this site for the past few weeks but haven't found any information specifically fitting my scenario , so I think it is a good idea to post my queries here and hope for guidance. So, let me begin ...
Stardust, I immigrated 2 years ago and the paper work for licensure (I am a nurse) and other immigration requirements can be daunting. I went thru an agency for the job part and saved myself quite a bit of work. I used "Accent health care ... Read More
New Zealand by bernard.uk
If any one is planning a trip to New Zealand or is interested in moving to NZ feel free to contact me with any questions and I will try and answer them.
Never been near Papakura or Manurewa have we????? The police helicopter keeps people awake at night. Even down south, we locked our doors and windows after the 70's. Shooting's are common, even with very strict gun laws, I'm always reading/hearing ... Read More
Is their a quicker way to citizenship?
I have had NZ residency for a year and a half and would like to purchase a home but I am afraid to do so without citizenship mainly because of tax laws in my country of origin. I am only 10 years from retirement and so would like to purchase soon. ... Read More
New Zealand by bernard.uk
If any one is planning a trip to New Zealand or is interested in moving to NZ feel free to contact me with any questions and I will try and answer them.
New Zealand is lovely but hardly inexpensive. Cost of living is similar to California or Hawaii Read More
New Zealand by bernard.uk
If any one is planning a trip to New Zealand or is interested in moving to NZ feel free to contact me with any questions and I will try and answer them.
It is mainly housing that is expensive in NZ. Similar cost of living as California or Hawaii. Also much safer here than in America. Kids walk or ride their bikes to school without fear of abduction or getting shot. People sleep with the windows open ... Read More
cost of living by redham44
hey! anyone please tell me How much does it cost to live in newzealand? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares (tube, bus etc ...) > food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?) > health prices (for those who ...
I have been living in NZ for 2 years now. The most expensive thing about living in Auckland is the cost of housing. Rent is generally between $400 and $600 per week for a decent two bedroom apartment. You can find cheaper rent if you keep your eye ... Read More
moving to new zealand chirstchurch by kai michael
hi thier me and my family are currently in process of moving to new zealand chirstchurch. very nervous at mo im a solid plasterer with ten yrs ex .ive being offered a job for a big companie paying me 24 dollars hr .is this an okay wage over thier ...
I have immigrated and am on the North Island. Have been here 10 months and am trying to get to the south island as I find the north island too crowded and too expensive. I spent a few months in Dunedin and loved it there but not much in the way of ... Read More
The best and the worst, please?? by estianunci@hotmail.com
Hi everyone! My partner and I are thinking about moving to New Zealand to live, because we have an offer to work there. I would like to know the best and the worst things of living there in your opinion. We would move to Hawkes Bay, in the Northern ...
I have been in NZ for 6 months now. I spent 6 weeks in Dunedin and absolutely loved it. I would have stayed there had I been able to get a job but the only job offer I got was from Auckland so that's where I am at. I love the weather here. It never ... Read More
Need Advice Urgently by Raza Ali Khan
Helo Everybody, I read many blogs on 天美麻豆 about turning down the job offers and not moving to new zealand. Many ppl say many bad things bout work environment, long work hours and less pays, bad condition of houses, and bad behaviour of local ...
I have been in NZ for 3 months now and I am glad I came. Things are much more expensive here than in the USA but the salaries pay a lot more too. It is beautiful country here and the people are friendly for the most part. The only thing that they ... Read More
5 good reasons for living in New Zealand
NO SNAKES! few bugs Clean Air Temperate climate really cool wildlife Read More
salary of a registerd nurse
I had an offer for $62,458 per year plus 35% shift differential but that is with 20 years of experience. Read More
Moving to Auckland - cost of living / taxe /etc by bk123
Hi, I am new to forum. Seek your guidance as I am considering to move to Auckland, NZ. I am from India, had a decade long work experience in USA and UK. How much would I get in hand if I have 100K NZ dollar per annum salary? considering taxes and ...
Hi! I think the tax rate for wages above $80,000 a year is around 36%. There is a site called trademe.nz.co where you can look at rentals and real estate. I think that there is also a cost of living calculator that will show you how much you have to ... Read More
Why is it hard to save money in New Zealand?
I think it has to do with self discipline. I have trouble saving in the USA. Read More
how to apply as a nurse in NZ?
Hello! Go to immigration.govt.nz for the paper work to apply as a skilled worker. I am going through this process right now. For me the whole process will have ended up taking around 9 months. Most likely you will need a police report from each ... Read More
nursing in NZ
I am a behavioral health nurse moving to NZ in August. I would like to hear from other American nurses in NZ as to how NZ medical system compares to the USA. Read More
Thinking about moving to Wellington
I grew up in the USA and have always spoken fluent english. I too had to take the english exam in order to get a nursing license in NZ. It is a reading comprehension test for the most part. It measures how well you can read and understand english. I ... Read More
Shipping to NZ.
The most affordable place I have found so far is shipsmart.com I am moving to NZ from the USA in August and they will ship small amounts. They quoted me a price of $800 for 6-8 tubs, the containers that you purchase in Walmart. A pallet shipment ... Read More
American Social Worker wanting to work in New Zealand by Snowyegret
Hi, I'm Pam, I'm trying to find ways to move to New Zealand. I'm a social worker with a Master's in Psychology. I don't necessarily want citizenship but I don't know if they have unlimited work visas. I fell in love with NZ when I went there for ...
Snowy, I am moving to NZ this summer and from what I have found out thus far you have until the age of 56 to apply for permanent residency. I am cutting it close as I just turned 55. It is my understanding that they go by some sort of points system ... Read More
Anyone from Dunedin?! by Sumantra26
Hey everyone...I am presently a MINST student, Univ of Otago. Planning to do my PhD too from there...will be reaching Dunedin in the first week of Feb. Anyone from Dunedin? Feel free to drop in a line! Hope to make lots of friends during my time ...
Thanks Sumatra. I have sent for the university catalog for her. I will see her in 2 weeks and show her your blog. Perhaps I can encourage her to make some friends on line here. Do you know if the university has a student blog sight that I could ... Read More
Anyone from Dunedin?! by Sumantra26
Hey everyone...I am presently a MINST student, Univ of Otago. Planning to do my PhD too from there...will be reaching Dunedin in the first week of Feb. Anyone from Dunedin? Feel free to drop in a line! Hope to make lots of friends during my time ...
I am glad to hear that you are going to the university there. My daughter met a young man that attends her current college who is from New Zealand. He told her he is going to school in the USA because it is cheaper ($27,000) per year and also easier ... Read More
Anyone from Dunedin?! by Sumantra26
Hey everyone...I am presently a MINST student, Univ of Otago. Planning to do my PhD too from there...will be reaching Dunedin in the first week of Feb. Anyone from Dunedin? Feel free to drop in a line! Hope to make lots of friends during my time ...
Thanks Sumantra. I have been pricing apts. and homes in that area and so have a pretty good idea of what I can get on my income. I met a lady on here from the USA and she told me to bring my skin care products as they are limited in variety and very ... Read More
Anyone from Dunedin?! by Sumantra26
Hey everyone...I am presently a MINST student, Univ of Otago. Planning to do my PhD too from there...will be reaching Dunedin in the first week of Feb. Anyone from Dunedin? Feel free to drop in a line! Hope to make lots of friends during my time ...
Hi! I live in the USA and am also thinking of moving to Dunedin. I know very little about it other than what I have been able to find on the internet. If you find out anything from anybody already ther can you pass the information on to me too ... Read More