Which city is the best to live as an artist, Auckland or Wellington, NZ?
Auckland and Wellington are quite different cities.First, I am biased. I live in Wellington. But I do visit Auckland regularly. At least once a month, if not more.Wellington is a city of about 200,000 people while Auckland is a city of more that 1million peopleWellington, despite its size has a big city feeling about it. This comes from having a small geographical footprint right on the harbor. The entire CBD is crowded into this small space. Which includes the seat of government for NZ.Wellington has a lot going for it culturally. Theatre, music, festivals, sports. Lots of bars, cafes and restaurants. And all within walking distance.I would also say relatively multi cultural. Although Auckland is more so. But liberal. And I believe tolerant, if not encouraging of differences.The main issue with Wellington is it's weather. This year it had been great. But horizontal rain is not uncommon. It is actually the windiest city in the world (apparently Chicago does not even make the top ten). No snow though. You can look up temperatures. But never really too hot or cold on world city standards.Spring is arguably the worst season. And autum I think is the best. Summer is a lottery. But “you can’t beat Wellington on a good day” as the song goes. The cleanest air in the world to, I believe, for a city. Coupled with beautiful still days and blue skies makes Wellington magic. And this year that has been about 80% of the time. (Global warming was predicted to be good for Wellington weather; turns out that’s the case).I have lived in London, Edinburgh, and Chrustchurch before its earthquake. For quality of life and a place to work and bring up a family I chose Wellington.Also, I work in IT which is humming in Wellington. Not to mention the creative arts sector which includes Weta Digital (think Lord of the Rings).Now I should turn and say nice things about Auckland. But now I have had my say on Wellington I can't bring myself to talk about Auckland.So I'll let an Oaklander do that!Good luck.
Which city is better for international students, Wellington, or Auckland? What are the pros and cons of each of them?
Cons of Auckland.Auckland rent and housing prices is considerably more expensive than Wellington so you will find you are pouring more money into keeping a roof over your head in Auckland than Wellington.Auckland’s traffic is the worst in the country. It is not only on the motorways that it can be bad the city streets also get clogged at times. There is a lot of work underway to fix this.Pros of Auckland.Auckland University generally is the best known University in New Zealand.Auckland is the most multi cultural.When you have free time Auckland has a lot for one to see and do.Auckland has a warmer climate than Wellington.Great food and coffee scene.Cons of Wellington.Wind, it is one of the most windy places in New Zealand.It is less multi cultural than Auckland.Pros of Wellington.Considerably cheaper housing costs than Auckland.The CBD is very compact and many places can be walked giving your exercise but also saving you more money.Great food and coffee scene.From what I understand Wellington’s traffic can get bad but not as bad as Auckland’s so slightly less traffic problems than Auckland.
Cost of living New Zealand vs. USA (New York)?
Hey everyone. I'm currently a 18 year old university student in the United States (New York specifically). However, when I am older I want to move away from the USA and explore/live in a new place and "start over" in life. New Zealand is one of the places I am considering. The people seem really laid back and nice, and I love the rugby (go All Blacks, congrats on RWC 2011). So I was just curious to see comparison with the USA regarding cost of living. I know New Zealand has experienced big economic growth over the last couple years, and is on track to continue. Wages are increasing as well I heard, and they are accepting more immigrants. I also know people in NZ pay less taxes than you would in America, but it is an island (or 2 islands) and shipping costs for some things will be high. So I was curious with things like mainly free school, and healthcare, would it outweigh the more expensive necessities? My future job would in all likely hood be in a financial job, or something to do with advertising. I am getting a degree from a top 50 university in the entire USA (out of 2,364 colleges and universities, and I plan on getting a 4 year degree in communications, and marketing with a minor in international business). What are the average salaries of people in these fields? And where would you recommend living in New Zealand? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I want to go to college in Auckland New Zealand?
If you can get a study visa approved, then all youl need are enough money and a willingness to work hard. If your intention is to study only then that will be achievable fut if your planning to migrate then that will be a whole different boat. In order to migrate, NZ works on a points system and only accepts highly skilled people with at least several years of foreign work experience as a minimum. Otherwise if it weren't that difficult then everyone would be coming here... In terms of study, fees at Auckland Uni as an international student will cost roughly around $18k+/-$2k depending on what your field of study is... For a local the fees would be more around $6.5k. On top of that you have to account for rent which you can probably get away with around $300/week avg in Auckland and then account for transportation costs, study material and food... So all that at most should be somewhere between $30~40kNZ per year depending on how extravagant of frugal your plan is. Your safest bet also would be to take the higher limit to account for a "Just in case" scenario if you needed it and for a fluctuating currency rate unless you were planning on converting the whole amount directly into $NZ and then leaving it in a bank to earn interest. Otherwise if you plan on converting different amounts at a time then a change in the value of exchange rates may hurt the pocket.
What is the cost of living in New Zealand??
There are a number of variables in your question! You say 'we' but don't say how many 'we' stands for. You also don't say what you intend to do here in New Zealand. Do you mean you intend to come here to live permanently? will you come temporarily for work and travel? will you rent a house; will you flat with others? Are you coming as students? What part of the country will you live in? etc etc Without knowing this information, it's difficult to answer your question. However, in general, if you mean NZ$2,000 per month, then you will struggle to live, but may survive. NZ$2,000 per month is NZ$24,000 per year. The annual pretax income of the average New Zealand worker is NZ$42,600. So your NZ$2,000 per month is only just above half that average income; and, based on a 40 hour week, works out at roughly NZ$11.50 per hour which is just above the legal minimum wage of NZ$10.25 per hour As you can imagine, it will be quite a struggle to have a reasonable quality of life for your NZ$2,000 per month. There's a cost of living website below which will give you a bit more information about costs. As another indication, the government operates a 'working for families scheme' which provides extra benefits to pretty well any and all NZ families whose income is below NZ$45,000 per year!! That shows what the government thinks of your chances of having a decent living on NZ$24,000 per year!! Beware answers from people on this site who tell you NZ is a cheap place to live; they most probably dont actually live here.
Is it possible to survive on 1500 NZD per month living alone in Wellington, New Zealand?
As my fellow Wellingtonians have already alluded to, living off $1500 per month in Wellington is doable but requires a bit of pragmatism and discipline. I manage several properties from your high - mid range stand alone properties to shared spaces type accommodations where you rent room by room (similar to your back packers accommodations) Now for example a single room in a shared space accommodation at one of my properties will start from $130/week single room. This will include all the bed linens, pillows, mirror & a clothing rack and possibly a small dresser. That price includes free electricity and unlimited internet, shared living room, kitchen & all basic appliances (freezer, Fridges, micro wave, toaster, plates & cutleries etc, cupboard assigned to each room for weekly groceries storage, bathrooms / showers & toilets, coin operated washer & dryer etc etc… So which means from your weekly budget of $346 you will be left with $216 approx. for food & transport. Food in NZ is relatively expensive compared to everywhere else in the world. However, if you utilize Sunday markets for your fruits & vegetables say $100, that should leave you with $50 per week for public transport (monthly pass will be the way to go for about $200/month), $40 for meat $10 for cereal & $6 for milk. Am sure you will be able to do some odd part time jobs here and there and if you’re a NZ resident you should have about nearly $1500 from welfare benefit. So in that case you will be able to save the whole lot :-)