Ever considered emigrating ?

Gah i wanna get to Canada. Gotta find myself a bride!

would you realy want to move to the us in the current econimic climate mate? my brother went to Nz to live lasted a year didnt like it anymore said its expensive and is now in a small mining town in Oz. I personaly luv this country and wouldnt move unless i could retire and not work then i would go to somewhere with a slower pace of life id certainly never consider the us for more than a holiday to full of mad feckers with guns.

NZ is nice but its not cheap. The cost of living is on par or higher than the UK particularly with food, and then if you are a professional your earning potential is nowhere near what you will earn in ex-London for example. If you go there - make sure you have a wad of cash and you plan to retire with the assets you already have. Dont rely on a master plan on making serious money down there as it's hard work and it will cripple you trying to get back again if it goes wrong. I have heard and seen a lot of people give it a go down there and feel isolated because of the cultural differences and/or the the space. Sydney.... now that's a town I could live in.

Youve got to remember that although they speak the same language it is still a foreign country. You will have very little frame of refernce with the locals and it will be harder to developer a friend base because of that. You also need to be aware that in teh current climate any foreigner taking jobs is normally abused and held in contempt. Last but not least is, whats it really like where you going to live and work. Make sure you realy do your homework, as the "everywheres better than here" retoric that the press trot out is often not true.

Originally Posted by Demonz

NZ is nice but its not cheap. The cost of living is on par or higher than the UK particularly with food, and then if you are a professional your earning potential is nowhere near what you will earn in ex-London for example. If you go there - make sure you have a wad of cash and you plan to retire with the assets you already have. Dont rely on a master plan on making serious money down there as it's hard work and it will cripple you trying to get back again if it goes wrong. I have heard and seen a lot of people give it a go down there and feel isolated because of the cultural differences and/or the the space. Sydney.... now that's a town I could live in.

Is it?? For someone who has come from the London, UK > Sydney, Australia for 1.5 years >Wellington, NZ I can assure you that I have the best cost of living by a long shot! I'm currently looking at residency in NZ, which takes about 8 months and costs around 1000 pounds as myself and my gf would both like to stay. Works on a points system and as long as you have all the necessary paperwork (and a work contract) it is fairly straightforward.

Financially, I'd rather not disclose what I'm earning as it is a bit of an exception to the rule. Of course it will also vary industry to industry but Going from London > Australia, I took a big pay cut (like just under 50%) then going to NZ I'm on more than I was in London.

Here is a few costing examples. Housing wise, in Wellington, 3 bedroom houses in good areas would be between $400-$800 NZD a week. A six pack of beer (kiwi or Aussie) will cost you about $12 NZD. Going out for a nice 2 course meal with a bottle of wine $80-$100. Trackdays cost about $100 NZD but there aren't many tracks about. Pretty much all motorcycling stuff - bikes, clothing helmets etc. will be more expensive than the UK.

Sydney is nice with better weather, though I never looked at getting residency there. I think it is more expensive with exams on Australian way of life as well. Renting a 3 bedroom place there would be $700 AUD +. Six pack of Aussie beer would be $16 AUD and a trackday $200 (albeit at a very nice track!) Motorcycles and gear is about the same as NZ.

I know you can really chalk entire cost of living down to Rent, beer and trackdays Just a few things to give an indication!

I enjoyed living in Sydney, but I wouldn't want to live there - mainly from a career standpoint. Wellington has much better opportunities for me in that respect, plus this great way of life means after a few months, I really want to stay! See what happens. Either way, emigrating to any country is much more likely to happen if you have a work contract in hand when you apply.

Yes - you are an exception to the rule Luke How much is a pound of butter in NZ or a bottle of milk now?

Originally Posted by Demonz

Yes - you are an exception to the rule Luke How much is a pound of butter in NZ or a bottle of milk now?

No idea! $2 for the milk- I think?

Petrol is at $1.50 a litre - people always wanna know that one!

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Of course it will also vary industry to industry but Going from London > Australia, I took a big pay cut (like just under 50%) then going to NZ I'm on more than I was in London.

I'm surprised by the first part of that. I've been looking at jobs all over Australia, but primarily QLD. For doing exactly what I'm doing now, I'm look at triple the money - even taking into consideration the exchange rates.

If I'm going to move to Australia, I personally don't want to be even remotely close to a city TBH. I love the idea of having my neighbours in the next valley as it were.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=124365

For more on the same thing really.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Baph

I'm surprised by the first part of that. I've been looking at jobs all over Australia, but primarily QLD. For doing exactly what I'm doing now, I'm look at triple the money - even taking into consideration the exchange rates.

If I'm going to move to Australia, I personally don't want to be even remotely close to a city TBH. I love the idea of having my neighbours in the next valley as it were.

Whereabouts in QLD are you looking?