year in New Zealand
Discussion
my lad has been offered the chance to spend his next university year in Auckland, (engineering undergrad) it seems that he would be kicking around for 2-3 months over their summer break, and so would be a good. opportunity to explore and maybe pick up some casual labour to fund things.
I dont know much about NZ, whats the cost of living like? ease / cost of internal travel? options for casual work?
any pointers to reliable resources would be appreciated
I dont know much about NZ, whats the cost of living like? ease / cost of internal travel? options for casual work?
any pointers to reliable resources would be appreciated
Hi
Cost of living is relatively high, mainly due to population size and our distance from everywhere else. Fresh fruit and vege prices vary a lot during the year as supply is very seasonal.
See if the University can assist in finding accommodation, otherwise take a look on trademe.co.nz to get an idea as to availability and costs. Other friends whose kids are off to Uni tell me they also check the local FB community and Uni pages.
Travel between main centres is mainly by bus or air. "Commuter" public transport is pretty much limited to the main centres. If he wants to get out an about beyond Auckland a car or motorbike is probably the best bet. If he likes JDM stuff, he'll be sorted
As for casual work, he'll have a work permit of some sort so that shouldn't be a problem.
Again, to get an idea of what's around, have a browse on Trademe.
Regardless of costs or any other negatives, I'd say go for it.
Cost of living is relatively high, mainly due to population size and our distance from everywhere else. Fresh fruit and vege prices vary a lot during the year as supply is very seasonal.
See if the University can assist in finding accommodation, otherwise take a look on trademe.co.nz to get an idea as to availability and costs. Other friends whose kids are off to Uni tell me they also check the local FB community and Uni pages.
Travel between main centres is mainly by bus or air. "Commuter" public transport is pretty much limited to the main centres. If he wants to get out an about beyond Auckland a car or motorbike is probably the best bet. If he likes JDM stuff, he'll be sorted
As for casual work, he'll have a work permit of some sort so that shouldn't be a problem.
Again, to get an idea of what's around, have a browse on Trademe.
Regardless of costs or any other negatives, I'd say go for it.
Buying a second hand car is easy, insurance is not compulsory. Petrol costs around 1.50 GBP a litre on average.
As above, Trademe.co.nz is the local ebay / gumtree - almost everything is available on there, and you can get a feel of prices for things in that way too. Holiday accommodation can be very expensive and booked up from late Dec to mid Feb, as that is basically the summer holidays for school & uni.
Food is on the whole more expensive than the UK, except perhaps at the very top and very bottom (in terms of eating out). Coffee can be some of the best in the world, but not exactly cheap.
There is always a story or 2 in the news about seasonal workers being needed, but accommodation costs can make it difficult to earn enough to fund fun things to do when not fruit/veg picking etc
Auckland is one of the world’s biggest cities by area, but not by density of people - think of it like a series of many, many villages surrounding a mid-ranking UK town. Public transport is aimed at commuting into the city centre, not much else, but is far better than 25 years ago. Exactly where your son is going to live and study / work will determine whether non-private transport will be viable.
There is no rail network - just a bare bones service between Auckland and Wellington, and commuter service in those 2 cities, but nothing like London at all.
As above, Trademe.co.nz is the local ebay / gumtree - almost everything is available on there, and you can get a feel of prices for things in that way too. Holiday accommodation can be very expensive and booked up from late Dec to mid Feb, as that is basically the summer holidays for school & uni.
Food is on the whole more expensive than the UK, except perhaps at the very top and very bottom (in terms of eating out). Coffee can be some of the best in the world, but not exactly cheap.
There is always a story or 2 in the news about seasonal workers being needed, but accommodation costs can make it difficult to earn enough to fund fun things to do when not fruit/veg picking etc
Auckland is one of the world’s biggest cities by area, but not by density of people - think of it like a series of many, many villages surrounding a mid-ranking UK town. Public transport is aimed at commuting into the city centre, not much else, but is far better than 25 years ago. Exactly where your son is going to live and study / work will determine whether non-private transport will be viable.
There is no rail network - just a bare bones service between Auckland and Wellington, and commuter service in those 2 cities, but nothing like London at all.
Thanks both,
it seems that the uni guarantee campus accommodation for Exchange students, and looking at costs they are on a par with Edinburgh, where he is already, he should be able to stay there during the summer vacation period, so at least has a base, I guess that would mean auckland based casual work - bar work etc'
hadnt considered him running a car whilst there - amazed to learn that insurance isnt compulsory quick browse of the trademe site throws up some reasonably priced, useful looking stuff
How reasonable are internal flights?
it seems that the uni guarantee campus accommodation for Exchange students, and looking at costs they are on a par with Edinburgh, where he is already, he should be able to stay there during the summer vacation period, so at least has a base, I guess that would mean auckland based casual work - bar work etc'
hadnt considered him running a car whilst there - amazed to learn that insurance isnt compulsory quick browse of the trademe site throws up some reasonably priced, useful looking stuff
How reasonable are internal flights?
Edited by sawman on Saturday 6th January 23:19
I have a pal who emigrated there a few years ago, & loves it. One day we will get out there and tour….but not this year.
Our son did a world trip (gap year!) a few years back: whilst in Oz, he booked a relatively cheap bus trip that had him circumnavigate south then north island - had a great time
He will have a blast, I am certain.
Our son did a world trip (gap year!) a few years back: whilst in Oz, he booked a relatively cheap bus trip that had him circumnavigate south then north island - had a great time
He will have a blast, I am certain.
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