EEEkkk can’t believe I am ....
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11581
Printed Date: 08 October 2025 at 6:54am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: EEEkkk can’t believe I am ....
Posted By: nictoddie
Subject: EEEkkk can’t believe I am ....
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:25am
|
even condsidering this!!
We are thinking about moving across the ditch to OZ!! Maybe middle of next year, huge decision on my behalf but we are becoming more and more resigned to the fact he NZ is just not family friendly in regards to taxes, wages etc etc! Really good friends of mine are also condsidering doing it and we would do it together they have a daughter in between my two in age. Have been doing some research and my dh can earn twice as much even 3 times and this is just for cleaning seems ridiculous! I will really miss my folks my dh family is not close and his parents are both deceased and the rest of the family live in the bop, we would prob have to shout my parents over a couple of times a year as they would not be able to afford the trip, please there are few people on this forum who know my family so don't say anything as have not told them anything yet ta, Just sick of struggling through life and this seems to be a huge carrot even if it was just for a few years, we don't own our own home here and can't even see that possible in the forseeable future... huge decisions to be made! ------------- 
|
Replies:
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:40am
|
I hate to be negative but just bear in mind the old saying of "the grass is always greener". I'm sure OZ has its good points but it will always have a lot of bad ones too, I think you should watch prime in the mornings, they have an oz morning show on and you will get to hear some of the debates etc and will help you see oz in a truer light.
I have never actually been to OZ, but me and DH emigrated here from England and I can assure you it pays to do research. I thought I had done our research, but we got screwed over by a recruitment consultant and by our first landlord. Our plan of having a lower mortgage so that I could be a SAHM didn't work out either. Don't get me wrong we are still happy that we decided to come out here but it wasn't and isn't as peachy as we had thought, sometimes it is too easy to get caught up in the excitement and adventure of emigrating, you need to take a step back and have a really good look at the whole situation. Sorry not trying to piss on your parade or anything, just some friendly warnings. ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:45am
|
Good luck with your decision, I made the move many many years ago & without a family and had a very good learning time, I was in Sydney where life was good (most of the time), & money was good (most of the time) it made me grow as a person and become much stronger because being without close family over there there are not the same supports.
I met dh over there and we came back when we started a family because I wanted my family around. We had a great time over there and you will enjoy it even more with another family there to share your day to day experiences with. Do you have a short list of areas you are looking at going to? A big brave move to make to help your family!! ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:46am
| We have just been in a similar situation, had decided to move with friends and all then hubby got a promotion so decided to stick it out here for another year or two and then see how we go. My friend went though, her hubby is getting 3x as much as what they were here but the moving cost was huge adn the rent and mortgage bigger too but they still love it. She is starting to struggle with the heat. She said that there is just so much to do there though, places are always having fairs, carnivals etc... and of course the theme parks (they moved between brisbane and surfers) they have been there 4 months now and are slowly starting to settle but she is super lonely and said its quite hard to meet new people. |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:49am
|
Good Luck with your decision, what part of Australia are going to move to? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 9:51am
maybe you could find a parenting forum in Aussie and have a chat and maybe try to make some contacts before you decide to go that way you will have some base over there. You could also talk to them bout wages, medical costs, day care costs, things to do in the areas you are looking at, and in general what is happening over there. It may help you decide where you might go. ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 10:01am
| thats what my friend did. I know huggies have a good aussie network. If you have your friend over there it will make it heaps easier though. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 10:43am
|
It really depends on where you want to move to. My parents have just moved back over there after being in NZ for 22 years. We lived in Brisbane city when I was born and they have just moved up to the Sunshine Coast (30 minute drive from Oz Zoo) and they love it up there. Mum is just doing some cleaning job at an apartment block (and getting paid over $20 an hour) and my dad has just got a fulltime job as a sales rep (earning sh*te loads). They do have major water restriction at the moment. If you are really looking at it, follow the election online for the next few weeks - that will give you an idea of what you are heading to. I would jump at the chance going over there (i'm an Oz citizen so have no problems over there), but as DH has just accepted a long term job here in NZ we won't be moving for a long time. Also another thing is you have to have a "card" to work over there as well - even the citizens do. I can find out from my mum and dad if you like. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: ShellandBella
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 11:25am
|
Yes, the "grass is always greener". Me and DH lived in Melbourne for 2 years prior to babies etc. and I earned way more over there and we had a comfortable life, but there were things about Oz that were equally as expensive (if not more) and eventually made the decision to come back (family etc. being in NZ was the biggest one). But I hear what you are saying, if it weren't for all our family being here, we would move back in a heart beat... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 11:31am
|
Thanks for you comments good or bad, becks that would fab if you could find out for me.
We will prob be def going but as for saying the grass in not always greener, we certainly know this but if we don't go and give it a try we will never know aye!!?? We will be going to either brisbane or the gold coast not sure which yet need to have some serious talks with our friends they have been ther lots on holidays so know way more than us. It's all a bit exciting and scary all at the same time -------------
|
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 11:34am
Thanks shell and bella 
We can always come home if it does not work -------------
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 12:28pm
|
You're absolutely right about regretting if you don't try and also that you can always come home.
If you watch prime in the morning they have a lot of debate going on about the election, it covers the whole of OZ as well so gives a good indication of what is going on all over OZ. With the earning 3x what you earn here, the same could be said of Britain. Me and DH earnt a lot of money in the uk, I earnt double the average UK income for one household and DH earnt about 1.5 times the average income, but we could still only afford to live in a 2 bed terrace house (unit) with hardly any garden and we could only afford one car. True we lived in Kent which is one of the most expensive areas, but it is also one of the areas that offers the highest wages and many commute to London. Have a really good look at house prices, school and medical fees, whether you will need 2 cars, what insurance prices are like (insurance in nz is ridiculously cheap compared to the uk) whether insurance is compulsory (car and home insurance are not optional in the uk). Also one of the things that has been being discussed with the oz elections is how the tax cuts keep driving up the interest rate, so what is given with one hand is taken with the other. Many oz families are complaining about the same things that are problems here and in the uk, ie unaffordable housing, one income going solely to pay mortgage etc. Sorry about all the comparisons to the uk, but I haven't lived in OZ and just wanted to give an indication into some of the things that can be vastly different from country to country and the uk compared to nz is the only comparison I have. And like I said earlier we are still happy with our decision to move here, but ours was a lifestyle change rather than wanting to be better off financially (although that would have been a nice bonus) Whatever you decide, wish you all the best. The talking to ozzies on the huggies forum is a cool idea. -------------
|
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 12:49pm
|
Thanks cup of tea for you insights etc, we are unable to buy a home here my dh is only on just above min wage which really sucks for him but he likes his job, I have quite a few friends in oz already as well so will be talking to them as well -------------
|
Posted By: Aprilfools
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 1:13pm
|
Personally I think it is a wonderful idea as long as it is right for you.
I love Brisbane, it's so laid back. I was brought up in Brisbane and have a lot of friends there. I found it a much nicer place to be a child and the schools are much better IMO. We are certainly going to consider a move there once we have children. My grandparents still lived in NZ while we were in Brisbane and they did miss us and we missed them but our visits with them were so so special and it hasn't ruined our relationship with them at all. We're so close and DH and I even got married on their wedding anniversary. Like my2angels said there is a lot more to do there, there is always something happening. If you're unable to buy a home here now could you really be any worse off if you go and give it a try? I wish you all the very best either way. |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 1:19pm
|
I actually found moving towns within NZ far tougher to settle than moving countries. I've found it difficult to establish networks/friendships.
There is a great ex-pat community in Brisbane/Gold Coast with many families in the same situation as yourself. My brother is over there and he is very focused on work, and he and his partner both work so they can afford their home. Her 4yr old is in fulltime daycare. Generally speaking I've found where you earn more, the cost of living is usually equivalent. When I lived in the UK 1 pound brought as much as 1 dollar in NZ. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 1:24pm
|
Brisbane (well the outer suburbs) are great for families - cheaper living than closer to the city and public transport is great there. Gold Coast is becoming a retiment haven so it is full of old people. I'll have a talk to mum and dad tomorrow and let you know Nicola. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 1:37pm
|
Ah go with your gut, I say! Sounds like an exciting thing to decide over... whichever you choose, good luck and have a blast! ------------- Andie |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 2:11pm
|
awww thanks andie, you always have something encouraging to say!! Thanks becca will look foward to you next installment for me, And april fools awesome advice too, will have to get my parents onto skype if we go and then we can talk whenever!! I think we will go and have a go at it, like you said if we are unable to buy a home here we might has well see what it has to offer, have told my dad and amazingly he said he thinks we should go for it! -------------
|
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 2:14pm
|
hey nictoddie.
My in-laws live in sydney - which i love - to visit. the only thing i have to add is that i know my SIL had huge problems getting her boy into daycare and that it was very very expensive too. Of course, this is sydney so it may not be true for the rest of aus, but i'd look into that too. |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 2:14pm
|
Oh and as for prime, we live rurally and can not get it so can't watch it, bummer ! -------------
|
Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 2:45pm
|
My partner and I moved to Brisbane near the middle of last year, but came back 2 months before I had Kahtrell. I liked Brisbane, they have cool things on like Riverfire. It gets very hot though and I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate hearing crow squawking at 4 in the morning. Also their daylight savings is weird, its 5 in the morning and it looks like 11am outside!!. I found it really hard being away from my family, I bawled my eyes out whenever I talked to them on the phone or read their bebo messages and emails....though I dont think pregnancy hormones helped very much lolz. ------------- 
|
Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 2:53pm
|
Oh yea thought I'd mention the points thing. If you want to HP things over there you need like 100 points, think you need points to apply for jobs aswell. So remember if you do move over there to take a document that proves your leaving NZ (like moving reciepts, documents to say you've sold your house, or letter from last land lord) and proof of settling into Oz (like new tenancy lease, job contract e4tc) -------------
|
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 6:24pm
|
NIc, PM your email addy and i'll forward on to what my parents have to say. Probably won't be till tomorrow afternoon thou. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 17 October 2007 at 7:34pm
|
I think if you think you need to give it a go, then do. It's the only way you'll know for sure. BUT, check out what you're entitled to if something goes wrong. I know NZ and Aus have great relations and your pretty much covered for everything, but you need to make sure that there won't be any delays if one of the kids or you guys get sick/need treatment for anything through the public system.
They did a study late last year/early this year and found that the cost of living and job benefits were pretty much the same for both countries, so I wouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket hoping for the 'dream remedy'. However, if your DH wanted to go and work in the mines in WA they pay HEAPS! We considered it for a while, but it just wasn't worth it. I actually know someone who is an Aussie who moved her family over to NZ because of the water restrictions etc - they couldn't even go out on their back lawn because it was completely dead and prickly. |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 3:18am
|
We have decided when we move back to that side of the world we're going to be heading to Oz too. For us its mainly because its still a relatively easy distance from our families (well closer than 27+ hours!) but still far enough away that we have space from them. We also know so many people who are moving there as well so I think that helps. Not to mention the money! Apparently Kiwis outnumbered Poms last year for the highest number emigrating to Oz so we definitley aren't alone.
------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
|
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 7:05am
|
Yeah my friend was laughing cos the other day they had thunder storms and everyone was outside washing thier cars cos you normally cant in with the water restrictions! she said it looked so funny.
She has had a few health problems since being over there, had to have surgery and everything and I know she has had to take her son to the doctor a few times already and so far she has been pretty impressed with the health system. Also as I said he is on mega money and she still gets more than me from the government to stay home with the kids. They are living in a place called Springfield Lakes which is about 20km out of Brisbane and its a pretty new subdivision. You can rent a flash new house there, 4 bedrooms, 2 living etc... for about $300-$350 |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 10:01am
|
Thanks heaps for all the replies, I have been doing a bit of research and the rents seem quite comparitive to here but the houses are nicer, also we are thinking about only taking our personal stuff and renting something semi furnished to start with
-------------
|
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 10:28am
| I have heard its best to take the minimum and buy everything you need over there. My friend had heaps of trouble with the moving company, things were 4 weeks late so they ended up having to buy most stuff anyway cos with two kids they couldnt go without beds, fridge etc... and when it did arrive heaps of stuff was broken. |
Posted By: Aprilfools
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 10:47am
|
I don't know if anything that these people have to say will be of any use to you http://movetoaustralia.net/
And I also found an interesting article on here http://www.nzine.co.nz/views/kiwi_in_au.html |
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 10:21pm
|
I also thought of moving over to the gold coast. Hubby has just started a new job which he said he can see him being in no more than 2 years and me I have started back at work so want to stay there for a while at least. But theres something about Oz that is attracting me to it. We are comfortable here and kids happy at school I just don;t feel totally settled.
I am a bit of a chickhen though cause I like the security of here. and we own our own home so would rent it out - until we knew if Oz was for us. I only have my parent here as in family whom i would miss like mad (so would the kids) and my bro lives in Oz already. go for it if thats what you want. I am from UK and when growing up my parents went to Africa and then settled here which I thought was such an adventure and great. i want to give my kids that too. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 18 October 2007 at 10:44pm
|
Good on you Ann, come on you can do it hehe! Nah you got to do what is right for your family aye, I would prob not even be considering it if my bestie was not going as well, as I am a bit of a sook , I have lived away from my family before and it was a 6 hour drive and it's only a couple of hours plane trip so should be easy peasy hehe I can say that now .... And mine have not started school yet that is why we are considering it before they do and if we don't do it we will never know will be so we are gonna go for it -------------
|
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 19 October 2007 at 9:13am
|
OK I spoke to mum last night on the phone and she said to call the Austrailian High Commission (it's in Wellington) and they will give you an 0800 number to ring that will give you so much info about moving over and the deal with the working card and also the points system (all to do with ID). ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 19 October 2007 at 3:26pm
|
Thanks becks, hehe I saw a new ticker and thought you were up the duff
spoke to my mum today and my dad had not said boo to her and she was like super supportive thought she would not be but she said go for it which suprised me . -------------
|
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 20 October 2007 at 1:44am
nictoddie - WOW you are being very brave.... I am over in Brisbane at the moment with DF... While I like it here I also hate it at the same time!!  It took me a good 8 - 10 months to settle down properly. I still cry at night because I miss my family and friends and we've been here 18 months. There are some great things about Aussie but there are also plenty of not so great things.
I dont want to burst your bubble but here are some things to keep in mind. In particular: * At the moment we are on level 5 water restrictions, which means each person is not to use more than 140 litres of water per day. December we will be on level 6 but that is more for industry than residential. It never rains and its always hot and humid!! Electrical storms are v scary!! * Daycare is difficult to get (long waiting lists) and are also very expensive. * NZers can not get a Centrelink (Equilivant to WINZ & IRD in NZ) benefit of any type for a minimum of 2 years permanent residency and then to get a benefit you must get Aus citizenship or a special permenant visa. * Housing is dirt cheap in the suburbs. We live in a suburb called Taigum (about 30 minutes drive north of the CBD) and were in a 1 year old 3 bdrm 2 bathroom 2 storey townhouse. We are paying $320pw. * There are millions of ants (they come in the house/kitchen) insects, spiders, snakes and little creatures that you would need to be careful of. * You need 100 points of ID (Someone mentioned this earlier), this is usually your passport, Drivers licence, birth certificate, Credit Cards etc. Passport makes up about 60 - 70 points. Then you may also need tenancy/mortgage agreements, written references etc. * They have a govt organisation called Medicare here which is like ACC and community service card combined but better. Medication is disgustingly expensive and if you dont go to a bulk billing doctor (100% funded by the govt, no cost to you) you will pay from $30+ to see a GP. The health system is very American. Health insurance is very important here, but confusing! You pay gap amounts and excesses. * Education is alot different. They start prep here at the age of 5 (or also called kindy here). Then they start year one at the age of 6. The public education from what we have heard is not the greatest and bullying is a big issue. Yes, you can potentially earn a lot more than in NZ, BUT the IR laws here are (mind my language) S*&T!!!!! Employees are not protected like they are in NZ. My advice is to Research. I would be more than happy to give you more info, as my post is already way too long . Just PM me if you want more info, more than happy to help or if need be to investigate things for you. All the best with your decision.
------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
|
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 20 October 2007 at 8:46am
|
Thanks for all the info, we are just ready to try something new and are doing it with friends and have friends over there as well so are just gonna go for it, and I will prob def be in touch. -------------
|
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 21 October 2007 at 5:48pm
|
Nictoddie good for you!! Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet with things like that.
My only advice would be to have enough money saved before you come over. DF and I came over with $2500 and thats wasnt enough to cover us until we got paid from work as we were on monthly pays (a lot of employers pay monthly). We needed more like $5000 just for the 2 of us!! We ended up borrowing from our parents to help us. Also to rent you need to pay a 6 week bond (4 weeks bond and 2 weeks in advance). All the best, it is definitely an experience in itself. When do you plan on going?------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
|
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 21 October 2007 at 11:14pm
|
Thanks cantwait, we plan on selling everything possible here and have made some short lists of things to sell which will be pretty much everything, we are hoping to prob rent something semi furnished and dh get a job hopefully straight away, so should have plenty of money aside, keeping some just to purchase a car, we are planning between March and May at this stage, our friends are planning for March so we will either come at the same time or a bit after. -------------
|
Posted By: Danash
Date Posted: 22 October 2007 at 6:45pm
|
Hi Nictoddie, I came over here not knowing anyone and married a kiwi :) bub is due early next year and we have decided to move back to Aus next year sometime... DH is not close to his family and all of mine are in Melb so will head back there. We just can't afford to buy here and the schooling is so unpredictable with the decile system here. I am lucky as I was transferred here so my wage is comparable to the Aus wage but DH could be earning up to 40k more doing the exact same job in Melb. Brisbane is beautiful and if you enjoy the warm weather nearly all year round you will love it. (bit to humid for my liking) I like Melb weather for the cold and hot months.... Also Brisbane/Gold Coast has lots of fully furnished properties to rent (more than any of the other states - prob because it is such a holiday destination) but as mentioned you will need 6 weeks bond/rent. As with anywhere you go I guess, things will vary - I def agree that medication is dearer in Aus. Bulk billing is the best choice for doctors but not always readily available and health insurance is a must, not confusing for me but then I have grown up with it. The IRD system has its benefits and I would suggest the first year you have to lodge your tax get a taxagent to do it for you (you can claim back his costs) there are so many things you can claim!!!! eg my mum works in realestate and each financial year the taxagent gets her around $3-4k back.... Good luck! I would love to take a bit of NZ and a bit of AUS and combine them it would be the perfect country |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 22 October 2007 at 10:06pm
|
lol @ verena!!
Nictoddie sounds like you have everything sorted!! We sent 3 large size boxes over about 2 months before we came over and had them delivered to DF's brothers place (Mailed via sea not air hence the longer shipping). We had things like linen, bulky shoes, alarm clock, blankets, clothing etc. The things that are too big to take on your flight, but the essentials. It worked out well as we didnt have enough money to purchase them when we arrived and it was one less stress.
White goods like fridge and freezers etc are smiliar prices to NZ prices. There is an awesome department store called Ikea here. It is dirt cheap and has Everything piece of furniture you need for a house (except white goods). Its a sweedish company and is good value for money. Depending on which city you decide to move to I know there is one in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. If you want to put things on HP or finance, it can take a while. All the Bad Kiwi's have ruined it for the genuine ones. We tried to finance a car 3 months after we arrived and it was like trying to get blood out of a stone because of the bad reputation kiwi's have with credit here. But eventually we got it with a bit of Perseverance. 
Good luck and like I said before, if you want to know more or need something investigating let me know. Happy to help. ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
|