NJ sucks, and I've got a possible way out.
I've been offered a job in NZ, Auckland, pays about $65K US, but there is also a move to Minneapolis St. Paul paying about $100k US!
For me, I don't care! but with the baby,I need to think a little longer than next week,lol
Great childhood in NZ, shit future! crap schools here, but a decent future given the right education!
?
Which would you go for and why, assuming you had a 3 month old!
I would totally agree with you on the belief that NJ sucks. We were so glad to move away. However, I think that I would find NZ too far. While I enjoy being 3,000 miles away from family, I wouldn't like to be that far away.
I'd stick with the US. Everyone who moves out to Aus or NZ seems to start whinging as soon as the plane hits the tarmac. For some reason the attraction of the beach and the house with pool in the antipodes pales quicker than the loot and the house with pool in the US. Perhaps loot has it over beach.
I voted Auckland it really isn't too far, only a few hrs more than it took us to get from Nebraska to Newcastle, costs a bit more though. Like you we have moved around in the last 20+ yrs, we were in Tabuk & Riyadh for 6+ yrs then in Colorado & Nebraska. We have now been living on the South Island of New Zealand for just over 2 months not long I know, but we wish that we had made the move over here years ago.
We stayed in Auckland with my brother & sister-in-law just for a few days when we arrived here & it is a great place. Unfortunately we couldn't stay longer than that as we had to get down here for hubby's job.
Back in Nebraska we had run our own business for almost 13 yrs & we were doing well financially but at a cost. We never saw my husband as he was working 80-100 hr weeks 52 weeks a year, & I had felt like a one parent family for years.
Over here he is in the same line of work but is employed instead of self employed & that was a concern when considering the move. However it's great so far, he comes home at 5.30 every day now.& spends a lot of time with his son at last. The headaches, stress etc of being business owners has gone & at last we feel free. We've been taking off every weekend exploring & this is a beautiful country.
The kiwis are a lovely bunch of people & I never would have thought you could've met a nicer bunch than the people in Nebraska. Do you have the chance to visit Auckland to have a look see? I'd say give it a go.
I would ask for a "visit" / interview before we took the plunge. I'm applying for my "intent" visa, just in case though.
Before the baby it would have been an easier choice, but I just can't think about me now, it has to be about what will be best for her when she grows up.
NZ for me. Just for a change. But I'm not you.
Thing is not to treat it like it's forever -chances are, it isn't. Go, have the experience. We ended up in the US within 4 months of learning that Beest's company in the UK was being sold. (The American buyers closed it but shipped a few employees over). You have no idea what the future may hold so don't beat yourself up planning it. Your baby is still a baby. By the time she's in high school, it may all be done at home via the internet. She could live in NZ and go to school in NYC. Or vice versa.
and the school thing is not really such a biggie, especially not when they're young. If they need extra help as the get older, that's the time to worry about it.
New Zealand and no mistake.
**** Minnesota.
I love it out here in Minnesota, the schools are great, the people are friendly and $100k would get you real far out here, its still cheap to live.
If you need to some out here and visit, PM me.
I made the move from NJ 1 year ago next week and I don't regret it.
mad I am still in NJ - haha.
But I would choose NZ, why? The Weather dude! Who wants to hibernate every year in a snow-fest when you can have 4 mild seasons?
Plus it's a slower paced life style if you like, and ideal for raising kids.
Mind you my parents emigrated to NZ (twice!!) when I was a younster and we loved it!
I'd choose NZ too. But then again, I lived in the Twin Cities for three years so I know what the winters are like.
NZ for me too! US politics just make me angry. Plus I'd get to see some decent cricket.
PS How did you get your job offer from NZ?
Neither - one is too cold in the winter and the other is too far away.
I voted for MN though as I've been through Minneapolis and the hotel I stayed in was really nice.
NZ for me too! US politics just make me angry. Plus I'd get to see some decent cricket.
PS How did you get your job offer from NZ?
Well you lot ar'nt helping lol :lol:
How'd I get the offer? long story, but boils down to the old expat circle! Friend who I used to do work for, when I was in Saudi, married a Kiwi, moved to NZ and opened up his own business. People he does work for are looking for TOF engineers, so he put my name forward.
100K, would be nice, but the winters are bad enough in NJ,lol :shock: let alone on the edge of the arctic circle :roll: :wink:
Dunno, still very much up in the air, I just know I'm done with NJ and the stupid bastards that drive here!
The winters are not actually that bad here, in NJ it was bad because it was a wet winter, here is is dry so even though its cold outside, you can still be out doing stuff.
I spent a ton of time outside this winter, and as long as you dress right its fine.
Plus downtown MN is all accessible via the skywalks so you never have to go outside if you don't want to.
There is something really nice about having 4 very distinct seasons out here, I love it.
I thought I would hate it, but they celebrate the winter over here, everybody is outside doing something.
Crazy )
I know this post is oldish, but being new, I thought I would chip in my 2c worth..
US$65k is a good salary in NZ$, and living in Auckland, you would probably need it. WHen I lived there I hated the commute to work and I was going in the opposite direction to the usual traffic mess. From what my brother tells me (he still lives there), its getting worse and worse. A lot of the places that used to be farm land and nice green areas have all since been built up and on my last visit there the newer areas were rows and rows of homes built by the same companies, complete with the big sprawling malls. Must admit though, I have never liked Auckland, so I am a bit biased.. lol
Like other countries, a lot of jobs are being lost to either plants being relocated over in Aussie or elsewhere, manufacturing being outsourced or in several cases just complete closure. House prices are high for a lot of first time buyers and I did read not long ago they were thinking of stopping those 95% mortgages, which most young people need to even be able to get into their first own home. The success stories abound from those who maybe sold up say in the UK or USA and got a nice exchange rate. I sold my home in the South Island for $96K (NZ) in 2003 and within a few years, that same kind of home with a huge section going for anything up to $150K in the same area. (Kicks self in head for selling so soon.. lol)
Don't get me wrong, I think NZ is a lovely place, but I'm not sure its the same as it was 30 years ago even though some people think that it is still that paradise they have promoted it as for such a long time.
Good luck on your decision though. Not having lived anywhere other than CT and Cape Cod in the USA, I cant make any comments on your other choice.