Author Topic: Rising cost of living in NZ (Read 602 times)

cumming · « **on:** June 27, 2008, 07:29:36 PM »

Hi All, I read a few articles in the NZ Herald today in connection with the rising cost of living. A lot of New Zealanders are very concerned and they are saying it is the second RECESSION.

Can anyone in NZ please advise how bad it really is. It might be safer in NZ but I do not want to be in dire straits when I go as I am not one of the UPPER class that is leaving.

Sorry for being a cinic but I need to be 100% sure before I go

jafa77 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:07:17 PM »

can I be blunt?

there is a WORLDWIDE crisis at the moment. Rising fuel and food prices are affecting everyone! USA, UK, Oz, NZ, everyone is in a bit of a panic. I can assure you that people in SA will be much harder hit. R10 a litre of petrol, here it is $2.10 which is pretty much the same as R10 BUT and its a BIG BUT......I earn double the salary in $ terms here in NZ (as a teacher) compared to SA. So who is better off???

A recession means that the economy hasnt grown in 2 quarter of something like that. It happens.

Everyone is feeling the pinch worldwide.....we just need to ride out the storm and hope for the best. There have been many other economic crises before and we have been ok.

On a personal level I am not really affected......I live close to work so fuel bill is $20 a week. (some friends are paying $100 a week!!!!!! because they live MILES from work)

I feed only myself so food prices are not noticeably higher but if I had 5 kids and I smoked and boozed then I would be feeling it BIG TIME.

On a teachers salary I am off skiing in 10 days in Queenstown and I am off to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in December/January. Times are tough for some but not that tough. The truth is Kiwis have had it VERY GOOD for a long time. Now people are just tightening belts a bit. That may mean no new plasma TV or new PC right now.

To me it is a no brainer to get out of SA. How could things EVER be better in SA compared to NZ?

Please also remember that the NZ newspapers OVERREACT to everything and make it out to be much much worse than it really is.

Am I ranting now?

sorry!

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:07:17 PM »

cumming · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:16:01 PM »

Hi Jafa77, Thankyou for that. It was just what I needed to hear. My husband will hopefully be getting some phone interviews soon then I can start worrying about the important things like trying to sell my house and 2 cars that are still on HP.

jafa77 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:20:21 PM »

I realise it is a huge decision. I used to worry about all sorts of little things too. The reality is that you will take a while to get on your feet financially and you may have to take a cut in what you are used to in SA BUT you can leave your doors open, walk on the beach, sleep, play etc with no fear of being attacked and raped or killed like in JHB. I love feeling soooooo safe.....no money in the world can buy me this peace of mind. I just love seeing the tiny ones biking or walking to school BY THEMSELVES!!

jafa77 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:25:41 PM »

it is good to being doing the research. Come with realistic expectations.

Nolan · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:45:14 PM »

I agree, the whole world is going into a recession after how many years of growth, so everybody is going to be hit by this. The difference for me is that NZ has a stronger economy, whereas SA is an emerging economy, so SA will be harder hit than NZ

pieter7333 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2008, 09:16:57 AM »

Quote from: jafa77 on June 27, 2008, 08:25:41 PM

it is good to being doing the research. Come with realistic expectations.

:crazy2:I work in JHB central everyday,looking around every corner try to get through the day and getting home oraait.It can only be 100% better in N Z.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2008, 09:16:57 AM »

ronaldd · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2008, 12:12:13 PM »

pieter, nail and head.

The other day i was walking to the train station , laptop on the shoulder, backpack on my back, through wellington city... i was about half way to the train station (about at subway on featherston street) and i suddenly reallised i forgot to look behind me.... you know who was checking me out...no one.

after 2 months in nz i became so relaxed it never even dawned on me that someone could be targetting me for my laptop.... LOVE THIS PLACE.

i bought stuff today.. and i was thinking to myself.. what on earth will i do with all my boxes.. because those who live in JHB might also have the habit of not putting the boxes outside... people see you have new stuff and you get robbed the next weekend. so I mention it to my friends here.. they say chuck it out... even better.. leave your front door open.. no one will take it.. I am still trying to relax but i think we are all living with shell shock to a certain extent. People here in nz dont know what its like in SA...i dont know if i want to tell them.. they find the stories rather grim and not wanting to know the details because i think its easier no knowing.

back on topic.. you spend next to nothing on a car because no one will comment on your *** car if you buy a 20 year old mazda like me. in nz you will often hear "you dont need more" , its pretty much the way things are here.. why have a big house..you dont need more than 2 rooms... why do you want a big car.. you dont need more than.... people say it often. I have enough money, i dont need to go job hunting for more.. i have enough.

just dont make debt and the interest rate hikes will leave you alone. mostly

Nolan · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2008, 11:58:56 AM »

Good advice Ronald

I can't wait to get over the shell shock

cumming · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2008, 05:57:07 PM »

Thanks for the feedback, know I really cannot wait to get there. Just waiting for feedback on Telephone interviews from the Recruitement agency.

NicholaM · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2008, 06:28:45 PM »

Great feedback - thanks. Like the bit "You don't need more". It's so true.

Happy Expat · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2008, 12:21:57 AM »

I must be a kiwi by now? We are already like that

We are so happy with what we have and to some people, it's not that great, but we are happy, healthy and safe

what more could you ask for

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2008, 12:21:57 AM »

paula · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2008, 05:43:36 AM »

hi, i have to agree with all the comments so far. although there are things which seem more ecpensive here, prices are going up worldwide. i am just glad that i live in a country now where i can save on petrol by taking the bus (my dh takes the bus to work in town every day and saves about $30 a week doing this... prob more, its $25 just on parking and with no stress!!). also its safe to walk to the shops so you can save here (but you will prob get wet!!). i think the thing is that you can't get everything you want when you want it... you wait for a sale, or go without, and in actual fact dont miss it! also, you learn to shop smart (with a list!!)

kol1974 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2008, 07:16:03 PM »

Who has been watching Money Man?

johanpet1 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2008, 08:59:38 PM »

Rising costs ouch - House bond payment up with R3874 in 5 months. Fuel price up with 74c p/l.
Electricity, rates & taxes, food, beer, all up.
The way prices go up now we might only take a tent and some clothes to NZ.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum