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How about Auckland (or another New Zealand city ) vs. Sydney and Melbourne for my snowbird situation? How would you compare & contrast? I checked average temperatures and New Zealand weather looks very pleasant November to April.
Well, I'm not sure about the cost of living now in NZ, but Melbourne and Sydney are very expensive even with the more favorable exchange rates. Auckland is very pleasant and walkable only in parts. The beaches are not quite as accessible but a car would help. I loved Wellington when I was there. Nice vibe, very walkable CBD, hilly, breezy, green, smallish., lively .There is a beach in town near the CBD but generally you'd have to get out of the city to find a good one.
But if you settle on Australia, think also of smaller cities like Newcastle or Port Macquarie. Maybe not cosmopolitan enough for you but cheaper, beachy, and interesting. Newcastle is a comer but it can seem gritty in parts. But beautiful in-town beaches. Not too far really from Sydney.
Thanks ABQSunseeker for the helpful insight. I keep hearing good things about Wellington. I think Wellington is slightly cooler in summer than Auckland? I would like to check out some smaller towns in Australia too.
Don't go to Wellington. It's a tiny city with quite poor weather. It is much better to just visit Wellington. Also you should try to visit Queenstown, which is a beautiful mountain city.
If you want to go to New Zealand, then go to Auckland. Auckland is by far the biggest city, has a lot of good places to eat, there is plenty of nightlife, has several beaches, and it is very diverse.
You should be able to find a studio for 300 NZD a week, close to the city centre.
300 a week NZD for a furnished studio in Auckland sounds really cheap. If I'm doing the exchange right that is only $213 USD a week or $852/mo? How would you compare and contrast Auckland vs. Syndney or Melbourne for someone staying for a few mos in summer? Do you need a car in Auckland? Is Auckland lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne?
300 a week NZD for a furnished studio in Auckland sounds really cheap.
Auckland is cheaper than the big cities in Australia, but of course what you get, depends on how much you are willing to pay.
To summarize
200-250 NZD: This will give you a flat in a shared enviroment. If you don't know anyone, then I would reccomend this option.
300-350 NZD: This will give you a studio outside the city centre or a bad studio in the city centre.
400-450: NZD: This will give you a nice studio in the city centre or a tiny house outside the city centre.
Quote:
If I'm doing the exchange right that is only $213 USD a week or $852/mo? How would you compare and contrast Auckland vs. Syndney or Melbourne for someone staying for a few mos in summer? Do you need a car in Auckland? Is Auckland lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne?
I have lived in Auckland, and I have visited Sydney. I liked Auckland better, it feels like it has more life. Auckland has more stable temperatures, and less heatwaves like Sydney does. Also, I love Auckland resturants, because it is so diverse and cheap. For 10-15 bucks you can get a nice meal.
You don't need a car, Auckland has a train and a bus system that will let you go pretty much everywhere. What you do need is the ability to drive a car, because you can't just visit Auckland. To see the rest of New Zealand, you will need to rent a car.
Luckily renting a car is pretty cheap too. You should be able to rent a car for 20 NZD a day.
Auckland is cheaper than the big cities in Australia, but of course what you get, depends on how much you are willing to pay.
To summarize
200-250 NZD: This will give you a flat in a shared enviroment. If you don't know anyone, then I would reccomend this option.
300-350 NZD: This will give you a studio outside the city centre or a bad studio in the city centre.
400-450: NZD: This will give you a nice studio in the city centre or a tiny house outside the city centre.
I have lived in Auckland, and I have visited Sydney. I liked Auckland better, it feels like it has more life. Auckland has more stable temperatures, and less heatwaves like Sydney does. Also, I love Auckland resturants, because it is so diverse and cheap. For 10-15 bucks you can get a nice meal.
You don't need a car, Auckland has a train and a bus system that will let you go pretty much everywhere. What you do need is the ability to drive a car, because you can't just visit Auckland. To see the rest of New Zealand, you will need to rent a car.
Luckily renting a car is pretty cheap too. You should be able to rent a car for 20 NZD a day.
Excellent information Camlon. Auckland sounds really good for what I want to do for a few months during the worst of the Seattle, WA North American winter (Nov-March). Thanks so much for taking the time to answer I really appreciate it Likely this coming USA winter (NZ and Aus summer) I will check out both NZ and Aus and see what I like.
The weather in Auckland was gorgeous when I visited but my impression from others is that it can be rainy and overcast much of the time, even in summer, at least compared to, say, Sydney. Is this the case?
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Likely this coming USA winter (NZ and Aus summer) I will check out both NZ and Aus and see what I like.
