Best place to raise a family in New Zealand or Australia…? (rent, hotel)

[Vichel]

Originally Posted by Woof

Yes, but then you'd have to deal with African American boom boom music, where the heavy bass sounds from cars or apartments penetrates through everything.

We got those here too and not from Africans. Sunny days along the beach, or along the Freo cafe strip .... doof! doof! doof! Usually WRXs or Nissan Silvias.

[tuberose]

Originally Posted by Woof

There ya go.



I'm having a bit of trouble thinking this through because the yerba mate hasn't kicked in yet ..... but some US immigrants might find the cost of living to be higher there largely because they're used to living in a way that's more costly than if they adapted to NZ norms. Just to take one small example, they might be used to eating lots of Mexican food at restaurants which is economical here, but not in NZ ..... they might not be used to cooking with lamb which is very expensive here, or be used to eating .... meat pies at restaurants, I guess, or whatever. Or they might want a type of imported car that's much more expensive where you are, and not best for NZ.

Or they might insist on installing central airconditioning or heating in an area that doesnt really need it.

Good point

However NZ - particularly Auckland is expensive.
I just compared Auckland and San Francisco on Expatistan and Auckland is only 6% cheaper.
And to make it a lot worse my salary is so much less than what I could earn there

[Vichel]

Things like fridges are cheaper in the US as well as many other appliances. We priced our fridge that we bought here, at Best Buy last time we were in San Diego and it was $700 cheaper. And my husband bargains everyone down here. He goes to Home Depot and Lowe's every trip and gets depressed when he sees the prices of tools, hardware and various home DIY stuff compared to here. And the variety and selection.


Furniture, clothes, food, cars, etc. Lots more bargain/clearance type shops in the US where you can get good quality stuff for dirt-cheap. You can get good deals here too sometimes, but it's just more effort and not as common.

[tuberose]

Originally Posted by Vichel

Things like fridges are cheaper in the US as well as many other appliances. We priced our fridge that we bought here, at Best Buy last time we were in San Diego and it was $700 cheaper. And my husband bargains everyone down here. He goes to Home Depot and Lowe's every trip and gets depressed when he sees the prices of tools, hardware and various home DIY stuff compared to here. And the variety and selection.


Furniture, clothes, food, cars, etc. Lots more bargain/clearance type shops in the US where you can get good quality stuff for dirt-cheap. You can get good deals here too sometimes, but it's just more effort and not as common.

Clothing and personal stuff are really expensive too. I hardly buy any clothing or shoes here as I can't find reasonable quality stuff in the middle price range.
I love shopping in the US - it's the best place for shopping, ever

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by tuberose

It is difficult to have a good middle class life in our major cities if one doesn't have a good income plus has housing sorted (small or no mortgage).
You may feel as if you have taken a downgrade moving here - but I guess that depends on what you are used to.
I have a friend from NYC and he loves NZ because he can afford a detached home in a good area with a nice garden etc. He is very settled here and no plans to go back.
But I have friends from Houston who couldn't settle in the very same city because they missed their larger and nicer house, larger and better car etc and they went back to Houston. They also found it very expensive here

Hi tuberose...what would be considered a good AU dollar income to live a good middle class life in your major cities?

[tuberose]

Originally Posted by TVC15

Hi tuberose...what would be considered a good AU dollar income to live a good middle class life in your major cities?

I would say $80,000-100,000 minimum if mortgage free ( two adults or perhaps two adults and one child)
However that would involve some attention to budgeting

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by tuberose

I would say $80,000-100,000 minimum if mortgage free ( two adults or perhaps two adults and one child)
However that would involve some attention to budgeting

Thank you

[tuberose]

Originally Posted by TVC15

Thank you

You are most welcome

[ScooterPilot]

I crashed early last night, and it looks as if I missed quite a bit of chat that was chock full of useful information.

I have a question on the "cost of living" comparison to the USA that I hope someone can speak to…Is it true that it is not customary, or necessary to tip the servers at the restaurants in New Zealand? If so, that would be a significant improvement to the customary 15% EXPECTED here in the states. On that note, is Oz the same with that regard?

I also have a bit of a silly one to ask…is it safe to assume that "Bogan" is the Oz term for Red Neck (in the USA)?

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by ScooterPilot

I crashed early last night, and it looks as if I missed quite a bit of chat that was chock full of useful information.

I have a question on the "cost of living" comparison to the USA that I hope someone can speak to…Is it true that it is not customary, or necessary to tip the servers at the restaurants in New Zealand? If so, that would be a significant improvement to the customary 15% EXPECTED here in the states. On that note, is Oz the same with that regard?

I also have a bit of a silly one to ask…is it safe to assume that "Bogan" is the Oz term for Red Neck (in the USA)?

Bogan = redneck

No tipping in restos except high end places.
You round up the and andd a little for cab drivers
I tip hotel staff (still), but thats me as I always feel sorry for maids and bellboys carrying my heavy luggage