Onoes
Trakanon Raider
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So, after 33 years of my life in the US of A, I'm debating making a large change, a move to New Zealand style change.
Background; Married with 2 kids (toddlers), 15+ years of IT experience (Pretty much jack of all trade, with the majority being hardware/software support, although I find myself an IT Dept Head currently. No formal education, winning personality ^_^), and my wife has almost 10 years experience working for an eye clinic (also with no college education). We have lived almost exclusively in Arizona, with a foray to Colorado at one point.
Everything I read about NZ just makes it sound like the perfect place to live, and with my current job, for the first time ever we are actually able to save money. My goal is to save up maybe 100,000 in 3 years. I know my best chance of getting a job is probably Auckland, but with the cost of living, and the major city aspect of it, I'm really trying to steer away from that. Another thing I've been tossing around is the idea of trying to start my own business in NZ, but figured I would take the opportunity to feel that out after I go visit. If I did start start my own business, it would probably be either a computer store (parts, repairs, commissioned work), or an Adult Boutique (manged a chain of these back in the late 90's, and the profit was insane) if that's even an option there (no clue on regulation/desire for these). Very real chance I would just settle for a full time job as well, just depends on where I end up and whats available I guess.
I'm planning on going on a 2-3 week trip to NZ next December. Renting a car and just driving all over both islands, trying to get a feel, and making sure it is all I hope it is. I'm really looking for a small or mid sized town near the ocean with some vegetation (Preferably the kind not covered in spikes). Somewhere with SOME events would be nice too, even if its just a live band here and there, although I know the larger the city the more to do.
Anyone have any experience here? Tips, tricks, recommendations? Does my plan sound realistic, if not, what aspect? Any advice? Anything I should know before going?
Thanks in advance!
Background; Married with 2 kids (toddlers), 15+ years of IT experience (Pretty much jack of all trade, with the majority being hardware/software support, although I find myself an IT Dept Head currently. No formal education, winning personality ^_^), and my wife has almost 10 years experience working for an eye clinic (also with no college education). We have lived almost exclusively in Arizona, with a foray to Colorado at one point.
Everything I read about NZ just makes it sound like the perfect place to live, and with my current job, for the first time ever we are actually able to save money. My goal is to save up maybe 100,000 in 3 years. I know my best chance of getting a job is probably Auckland, but with the cost of living, and the major city aspect of it, I'm really trying to steer away from that. Another thing I've been tossing around is the idea of trying to start my own business in NZ, but figured I would take the opportunity to feel that out after I go visit. If I did start start my own business, it would probably be either a computer store (parts, repairs, commissioned work), or an Adult Boutique (manged a chain of these back in the late 90's, and the profit was insane) if that's even an option there (no clue on regulation/desire for these). Very real chance I would just settle for a full time job as well, just depends on where I end up and whats available I guess.
I'm planning on going on a 2-3 week trip to NZ next December. Renting a car and just driving all over both islands, trying to get a feel, and making sure it is all I hope it is. I'm really looking for a small or mid sized town near the ocean with some vegetation (Preferably the kind not covered in spikes). Somewhere with SOME events would be nice too, even if its just a live band here and there, although I know the larger the city the more to do.
Anyone have any experience here? Tips, tricks, recommendations? Does my plan sound realistic, if not, what aspect? Any advice? Anything I should know before going?
Thanks in advance!
