Thinking about retiring to NZ?

herr_oberst · 01-21-2021, 04:56 PM

They'll take you in - as long as you got the scratch. The cost of admission is high.

"The Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa (temporary visa)
This option would allow a temporary stay in New Zealand on a visitor visa for up to 2 years, so considerably longer than on a 'regular' visitor visa. You must be 66 or above, have NZ $750,000 to invest in New Zealand for 2 years, another NZ $500,000 to live on, and an annual income of NZ $60,000. You may include your partner in this application but no dependent children."

Steve Viegas · 01-21-2021, 05:04 PM

Even at $0.72 USD per NZD that is still fairly steep. Cost of housing would eat up that first NZ$750K if they let you buy. $500K to invest, on top of $60K/year, is a big kicker. I hear NZ is amazing.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I was there quite a long time ago but thought it was beautiful and special. However, I’d be as happy in some other places that don’t cost $1MM.

Norm K · 01-21-2021, 05:16 PM

Similar to Australia.

It's an immigration policy that actually makes sense - too much sense for, well, we know who.

_

sc_rufctr · 01-21-2021, 05:43 PM

New Zealand is a beautiful country but the weather is what I would describe as mild and that may not be to your liking.

"In Summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC (68 - 86ºF) and in Winter between 10 - 15ºC (50 - 59ºF)."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_New_Zealand

Life has a slower pace there and generally things are really good. The Māori and a wonderful people and they actively work to maintain their culture. I wouldn't listen to any stories about the bikie gangs and racial issues. They do have some problems but what country doesn't?

And again it is beautiful and I can see why people would want to retire there. The biggest problem for Americans as I see it is the location. It's a long way from The States so if you plan to travel back regularly to see family that can get tiring quickly.

herr_oberst · 01-21-2021, 05:55 PM

I grew up in Boise, and I knew a lot of people who came from NZ - distance road running was in it's heyday and Anne Audain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Audain) lived in Boise for a while - a local celebrity, and she enticed a lot of her fellow athletes and compatriots follow her lead.

A trip to NZ is definitely on my list as soon as life starts to return to normal.

McLovin · 06:27 PM

You can’t just go there and stay?
What if you’re just seeking opportunities and a better life for your family?
Why do they hate immigrants so much?
NZ sounds racist.

Alan A · 01-21-2021, 06:41 PM

It’s expensive because it’s worth it.
#1 on my countries that are not the US to retire to.

sc_rufctr · 01-21-2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan A

It’s expensive because it’s worth it.
#1 on my countries that are not the US to retire to.

Have you been to Australia?

Alan A · 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Have you been to Australia?

Yes. Prefer NZ. South Island given my druthers.

Edit:
Australia has too many things that want to kill you.
Even the damn black fly in Queensland had me itching for two weeks.
The chemist wasn’t sympathetic - well it’s not a bite, it’s actually piss. And of course they’ll piss on you first cos you’re a pommie.

Bill Douglas · 01-21-2021, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

Why do they hate immigrants so much?
NZ sounds racist.

LOL Who told you that!

The biggest PITA of living in NZ is t's so far from everywhere else. Otherwise it's great. We pay a bit more for lots of things, but we don't pay a lot of tax and health is on the government. Something like England's but probably better managed. Housing is expensive, but you can look online and form your own opinion about that.

The weather is great. Unlike just about everywhere else where their whole lives revolve around it being too hot or snow everywhere, it's mild all year 'round. Similar to living on the coast in Northern California.

But do come here for a look around first.

LWJ · 01-21-2021, 08:11 PM

And if you aren't 66? What then?

herr_oberst · 01-21-2021, 08:13 PM

Just visit a few times a year until they deem you (and your dinero) worthy, I guess

Bill Douglas · 01-21-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

And if you aren't 66? What then?

I don't know. Everyone else doesn't seem to have a problem. It seems whoever wants to come here comes here.

In regard to racism... I'm you average (slightly upper middle class) white male. My very best friends are Dario - Italian, Henry - Samoan, Georgina - East London girl, Peter - North London, Jenny - from the bad lands of South Auckland.

It's all online, what you need to do.

Most people go to Auckland and you want to look at North Auckland or West Auckland. Wellington, where I live is nice. But WINDY, did I mention windy.

Australia is great. But the mistake people make is they all go to Sydney. Sydney is not representative of Australia.

Google pictures of Queenstown, NZ

sc_rufctr · 01-21-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

LOL Who told you that! ... SNIP

I'm glad you chimed in Mr Bill. What's the latest on the Māori Bikers? Recently I heard some negative stuff but I'm always sceptical about that sort of thing. Often people have a hidden agenda or they're only telling their side of the story.

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

Do you like sheep? It is a nice place, lots of great sailing, hiking, I just don't like driving on the wrong side of the road. If I remember correctly they auction off houses, this was years ago. I know somebody that moved there after being hired for a position, she was not well received, the people of NZ don't like outsiders taking their limited good jobs, can't really blame them. They were very friendly to tourists though.

Bill Douglas · 01-21-2021, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

What's the latest on the Māori Bikers?

Those morons are OK. They are just doing their own thing. However YOUR (LOL) guys being deported here are causing trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908/930

Do you like sheep? It is a nice place, lots of great sailing, hiking, I just don't like driving on the wrong side of the road. If I remember correctly they auction off houses, this was years ago. I know somebody that moved there after being hired for a position, she was not well received, the people of NZ don't like outsiders taking their limited good jobs, can't really blame them. They were very friendly to tourists though.

Not many sheep. Our country makes money by raising and selling cattle. Sheep aren't worth enough money when you consider how much farm work goes into looking after them. Cattle are worth about $2,000 and sheep are worth about $100.

Driving, yep, it's the same as England - we're sort of an English style country.

Excellent outdoor stuff. Probably the best trout fishing in the world. The great outdoors is free, available, and yours if you want it.

They auction houses if the market is bad. Now days it's all done by tender.

Outsiders getting jobs. LOL, most people are outsiders, we need them to fill jobs. We have quite a buoyant economy and we want people to come here and work.

Friendly to tourists. I think we are friendly with fairly much everyone. We don't have that inter state, inter country rivialry, that most countries have. We just kinda get along with everyone.

Matt Smith · 01-21-2021, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 908/930

Do you like sheep? It is a nice place, lots of great sailing, hiking, I just don't like driving on the wrong side of the road. If I remember correctly they auction off houses, this was years ago. I know somebody that moved there after being hired for a position, she was not well received, the people of NZ don't like outsiders taking their limited good jobs, can't really blame them. They were very friendly to tourists though.

I have worked the last 20 years or so at the NZ equivalent of NOAA. ‘Outsiders’ have been very welcomed in all aspects of our work. There are probably an equal number of talented individuals from around the planet as there are Kiwis. Houses are very expensive, as is the cost of living. It is a beautiful country. We have issues as most countries do. Wellington is windy.

Nostril Cheese · 01-21-2021, 10:37 PM

Ive never met a Kiwi I didnt like.

Good people

Matt Smith · 01-21-2021, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I'm glad you chimed in Mr Bill. What's the latest on the Māori Bikers? Recently I heard some negative stuff but I'm always sceptical about that sort of thing. Often people have a hidden agenda or they're only telling their side of the story.

No one mentioned ‘Maori Bikers’ apart from you. Seriously mate.