New member from California planning to move to NZ! (Disco)

[Disco]

Hey guys!

My name is Diego and I'm from San Diego, CA (yeah it was just coincidence I ended up in SD). I've joined the forum because my wife and I are looking into moving to NZ sometime in the next year. We haven't yet been but after doing a lot of research, we decided that NZ would be a great place to raise our 1 year old son. Also because I'd love to maintain my riding hobby and there is a fantastic motorcycle culture in NZ. :msn-wink: We did actually spend our honeymoon in Rarotonga and Aitutaki and we absolutely loved it.

I've been riding sportbikes for about 10 years, most of that riding being on the track. Anyway we do plan to visit sometime in March or April of next year to check things out. Hopefully all will go smoothly and I'll be able to ride some beautiful Kiwi roads soon! :niceone:

[Deano]

Welcome Diego. We do have some nice roads here and some cool tracks too. Have you thought of any particular part of NZ to settle ?

[Disco]

Thanks. Well we are not wealthy so I'd most likely need to move to where the jobs are. That being said we have been looking at Auckland, but we still have a lot of research to do. Personally, Id love to find a nice country home with a little backyard farm, but I'll have to work up to that.

[fridayflash]

kia ora and welcome diego, whats your line of work? nz is a great place to raise kids and a good lifestyle, especially if you like the great outdoors

[Disco]

Yeah I definitely love the outdoors. I want my little guy to grow up around a clean and natural environment. Here kids don't care about that, they just want to play video games and watch mindless tv.

I own a motorcycle parts business and have actually shipped a lot to New Zealand. I was thinking I may be able to continue this business down there. However, relying solely on online sales would not be enough to support my family, and also to get residency I need to work for a NZ employer for 2 years. My wife is a teacher so we may qualify for residency though her instead. I'm still doing some research on the subject.

Let me ask you guys, do you often buy parts and gear from the US? Is it cheaper for you? How are the customs fees?

Thanks,

D

[scumdog]

I've lived in Burbank and toured the U.S. a little.

SO imagine the smallest town in the smallest county and you have NZ.

U.S. style freeways add up to about 100 miles in total and chuck-holes seem to be some sort of part of road construction here:devil2:.

But it's not ALL bad...:niceone:

[fridayflash]

i know plenty of people buy off ebay out of the us, and ive known others who buy boots n helmets etc online from the states

[Dangsta]

Yeah I definitely love the outdoors. I want my little guy to grow up around a clean and natural environment. Here kids don't care about that, they just want to play video games and watch mindless tv.

I own a motorcycle parts business and have actually shipped a lot to New Zealand. I was thinking I may be able to continue this business down there. However, relying solely on online sales would not be enough to support my family, and also to get residency I need to work for a NZ employer for 2 years. My wife is a teacher so we may qualify for residency though her instead. I'm still doing some research on the subject.

Let me ask you guys, do you often buy parts and gear from the US? Is it cheaper for you? How are the customs fees?

Thanks,

D

Hi there and welcome to KB. I pretty much buy everything on-line and use sites like Ebay, Cruiser Customising or victoryonly.com for most things motorcycle related. Generally the reason is a combination of being able to source a better deal on-line and NZ not really having the parts I need readily available as my bike is not that common here. I can't actually remember the last time I got pinged for customs fees as my purchases tend to sit around the $300-$400 US mark. My bike related ebay purchases in the last 30 days have been my knox handroids, Bell Rogue helmet, a Speed & Strength armoured riding hoodie, an MRA Vario windshield and a magnetic drain plug. Saved a good $250 NZD doing so. I head to LA for around a month every year and am seriously thinking about sourcing my next bike (just a newer version of my current ride) there and getting it shipped over rather than buy the bike in NZ.
D

[Smifffy]

If you want clean, green and work, best to forget about Auckland. What skills do you have? It can be difficult for US citizens to immigrate here if not in the right field. My wife is a US citizen.

[Disco]

If you want clean, green and work, best to forget about Auckland. What skills do you have? It can be difficult for US citizens to immigrate here if not in the right field. My wife is a US citizen.

Why is that? Well I have a degree in International Business and Marketing. I have owned my motorcycle parts and gear business for about 8 years. I speak English, Spanish and Portuguese (if that helps me any).

Would it be possible and cost efficient to import my bike from the USA if I move there??? I hadn't even considered that option.

Just to throw this out there; since a lot of guys get stuff from the USA, I was thinking that maybe for my first trip out there if anyone needs anything I can offer some good deals and BRING some stuff over. That could help me fund the trip a bit and save you guys on shipping costs.

[FLUB]

Importing your bike is easy. When I came here from the UK I rode my Harley Ultra to the port, where it was loaded onto the round the world car transporter. It arrived in Auckland about 8 weeks later. I had to get it cleared using a broker, then got a car transporter to come to the port, load the bike and take it to a VTNZ on the North Shore, where it was checked over and given NZ plates. If think registration cost a couple of hundred.

Provided you have owned the bike for more than 2 years you don't have to pay GST (sales tax). Less than 2 years there is a sliding scale and if I remember correctly, less than 6 months it is the full 15% of list price. If you sell it within 2 year you have pay back any GST you saved.

Bring paperwork to show that it meets all the regulations to be roadworthy in the USA, proof of ownership, purchase receipts, etc.

I was riding it 2 hours after pickup from the Port of Auckland.

[Deano]

I'd say Auckland is one of the more expensive parts of the country to live in, in general.

[Dangsta]

Thanks. Well we are not wealthy so I'd most likely need to move to where the jobs are. That being said we have been looking at Auckland, but we still have a lot of research to do. Personally, Id love to find a nice country home with a little backyard farm, but I'll have to work up to that.

Bro, if you don't focus on Auckland you could move right into a nice country home with a little backyard farm with no need to work up. What you're talking about is something we call a lifestyle block. Also, if your wife's a teacher, there are plenty of schools outside of Jafa country (just another f#cking Aucklander). I'm a bit bias because I live here myself but take a look at Wanganui. Very...very cheap housing, reasonable sized "city" (town really), well positioned in the North Island (close to Wellington and in between Palmerston North and New Plymouth, very good schools, strong bike culture (cemetary circuit), beautiful river and lifestyle blocks everywhere. Some really nice rides from here as well with lots of twisties for your sport bike. The place has a bit of an unfair reputation for bike gangs (Hells Angels, Mongrel Mob) but I've lived here five years and apart from one conversation I had with a really nice guy about my bike who just happened to be a Mongrel Mob member, I haven't really seen them. I'm an immigrant myself and this country is just stunning. There are some beautiful places around and the people here are really friendly. If you can get in...its a great place to call home. Best of luck.

[Disco]

Danga thanks so much for your input, that sounds absolutely perfect. I'm going to look more into that area. While we would definitely enjoy some of the perks of the big city, I would much rather prefer a quiet retreat for daily life.

[hayd3n]

Danga thanks so much for your input, that sounds absolutely perfect. I'm going to look more into that area. While we would definitely enjoy some of the perks of the big city, I would much rather prefer a quiet retreat for daily life.

otago :) ftw

[Smifffy]

otago :) ftw

Pretty much anywhere that's not Auckland.

[Wingnut]

Na... North Island is where its all at. Down south here, well we're nearly full now :innocent:

[avgas]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TnpTcrtsN3U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sorry I couldn't help it......my brain has been rewired to deal with my 2 year old son........when I heard your name.....all i could think of was "hola a diego" and a certain backpack.

[Disco]

I do have Go Diego Go! stickers on my bikes :)

So I'm thinking of taking a trip to NZ with my family in July and staying for about a month so we can visit a few cities and get an idea about Kiwi life. Are hotels reasonable there or are there other places I can stay? We don't need anything fancy.

[Ocean1]

I do have Go Diego Go! stickers on my bikes :)

So I'm thinking of taking a trip to NZ with my family in July and staying for about a month so we can visit a few cities and get an idea about Kiwi life. Are hotels reasonable there or are there other places I can stay? We don't need anything fancy.

Mid winter...

Motels are what you want if you're traveling with nippers. Google. Anywhere between $100 and $200 a night but there's usually not much wrong with the lower end prices. If you let us know where you want to be some of us can recommend suitable places.

[Disco]

Mid winter...

Motels are what you want if you're traveling with nippers. Google. Anywhere between $100 and $200 a night but there's usually not much wrong with the lower end prices. If you let us know where you want to be some of us can recommend suitable places.

Yikes that could get pricey if we are there for a month. When I have a better idea of our travel route I'll post up again for some advice.

I would much rather visit during the summer of course, but since my wife has the summer off (our summer) it works out. Hopefully we can travel back during your summer again before making our final move.

[tri boy]

Hi Diego.
Look into the Waikato area.
1 1/2hrs from Akld, Hamilton, Waikatos main town is the power house of the Dairy industry in NZ, (the main export earner).
Outdoors lifestyle aplenty, (Hunting, fishing,bushwalking etc)
Much cheaper lifestyle block purchacing than the Akld area.
Great Rd riding and ADV riding, (not as good as the sth for scenery)
Jobs aplenty in Management, etc.
Worth considering.
Typing this wile looking out at Pirongia mtn, on a 1acre block, and i'm a lowly paid kiwi.:yes:(must mow the lawns, gahhh..............

[oneblackflag]

Hi Diego.
Look into the Waikato area.
1 1/2hrs from Akld, Hamilton, Waikatos main town is the power house of the Dairy industry in NZ, (the main export earner).
Outdoors lifestyle aplenty, (Hunting, fishing,bushwalking etc)
Much cheaper lifestyle block purchacing than the Akld area.
Great Rd riding and ADV riding, (not as good as the sth for scenery)
Jobs aplenty in Management, etc.
Worth considering.
Typing this wile looking out at Pirongia mtn, on a 1acre block, and i'm a lowly paid kiwi.:yes:(must mow the lawns, gahhh..............

^This. You won't find greener grass or juicer Kiwi-cross cattle. :psst:

About to take a ride out to Raglan now; great surf beach and town 45 mins from Hamilton.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hey guys!

My name is Diego and I'm from San Diego, CA (yeah it was just coincidence I ended up in SD). I've joined the forum because my wife and I are looking into moving to NZ sometime in the next year. We haven't yet been but after doing a lot of research, we decided that NZ would be a great place to raise our 1 year old son. Also because I'd love to maintain my riding hobby and there is a fantastic motorcycle culture in NZ. :msn-wink: We did actually spend our honeymoon in Rarotonga and Aitutaki and we absolutely loved it.

I've been riding sportbikes for about 10 years, most of that riding being on the track. Anyway we do plan to visit sometime in March or April of next year to check things out. Hopefully all will go smoothly and I'll be able to ride some beautiful Kiwi roads soon! :niceone:

Hope it works out. :)

have a look at http://www.reddit.com/r/newzealand/ and in particular the stuff about "moving to nz" if you haven't already.

And welcome. :)

[JimO]

Yeah I definitely love the outdoors. I want my little guy to grow up around a clean and natural environment.

D
thats Auckland out then

[HenryDorsetCase]

I do have Go Diego Go! stickers on my bikes :)

So I'm thinking of taking a trip to NZ with my family in July and staying for about a month so we can visit a few cities and get an idea about Kiwi life. Are hotels reasonable there or are there other places I can stay? We don't need anything fancy.

middle of fucking winter. take them ski-ing!

[russd7]

Hi Diego.
Look into the Waikato area.
1 1/2hrs from Akld, Hamilton, Waikatos main town is the power house of the Dairy industry in NZ, (the main export earner).
Outdoors lifestyle aplenty, (Hunting, fishing,bushwalking etc)
Much cheaper lifestyle block purchacing than the Akld area.
Great Rd riding and ADV riding, (not as good as the sth for scenery)
Jobs aplenty in Management, etc.
Worth considering.
Typing this wile looking out at Pirongia mtn, on a 1acre block, and i'm a lowly paid kiwi.:yes:(must mow the lawns, gahhh..............

you poor deluded soul, the south is the powerhouse in dairy now, who the fuck in his right mind wants to be that close to auckland, wayyyyyyy more hunting and fishing opportunities down south and even more on the west coast, way better money and conditions in management down south,
way better roads and road riding opportunity as well as adv riding down south as well,
wouldn't even consider living in the Waikato myself and I'm ex BOP

[Winston001]

Welcome Disco. Its a hard ask to give you easy answers. Certainly you can buy a small rural home with some land but that is also the Kiwi Dream so affordable properties tend to be in provincial regions where there isn't a lot of work.

You could move to Wyoming/Idaho/Nebraska/the Dakotas, even New Mexico and find property there. If I was you I'd look hard at Wyoming and New Mexico.

But...ok, New Zealand is a secret paradise and yes you'd be happy if you moved here. It really is a wonderful and beautiful country.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-664925191.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-534932159.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-660726399.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-666887778.htm

[tri boy]

who the fuck in his right mind wants to be that close to auckland,

Most of NZ, for many reasons.
Entertainment,
Multicultural exchange,
etc

BOP isn't Wuckatoo, but you knew that:msn-wink:

[russd7]

BOP isn't Wuckatoo, but you knew that:msn-wink:

funnily enough i do:bleh: but bein as i used to go to taranaki quite regularly i seemed to spend quite a bit of time riding through fog and rain once i got over the kaimais:rolleyes:

[Disco]

Yeah something like those country homes is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Clean fresh air and water, open countryside, a friendly community, growing my own food...and quiet. Ahhhh....:p

[Disco]

Ok guys, I was thinking of visiting in June with the family, but the cold weather and snow is making us reconsider. We want to visit the warm, green, lush place we see in pictures. Is the weather in June pretty cold? Should we just wait and visit in the Spring or Summer?

[oneblackflag]

Ok guys, I was thinking of visiting in June with the family, but the cold weather and snow is making us reconsider. We want to visit the warm, green, lush place we see in pictures. Is the weather in June pretty cold? Should we just wait and visit in the Spring or Summer?

Late spring I would think would be best to see lush grass, leaves on trees, snow on mountain tops. Decent weather.

[Ocean1]

Ok guys, I was thinking of visiting in June with the family, but the cold weather and snow is making us reconsider. We want to visit the warm, green, lush place we see in pictures. Is the weather in June pretty cold? Should we just wait and visit in the Spring or Summer?

Most of NZ is pretty green and lush most of the year. But it's a long skinny place spread over a fair bit of longitude, so while the weather isn't as varied as the US it does make quite a difference where you are.

The middle of the south island is where a lot of tourist brochure pics are taken, and that's quite hot through summer but bloody chilly through winter. You won't normally see snow anywhere in the country outside of ski resorts even mid-winter, but we're not protected from weather extremes by a large continental mass, which means weather, not climate is what dictates conditions. You shouldn't expect day to day conditions to be as predictably balmy as SD, for example, and weather forecasts are pretty much works of fiction no matter what the season.

In short, if you want to play tourist to gauge suitability of different places to live then it's at least as good to know how bad it can get as it is to know the good, so it wouldn't matter. If you want to sell your family or yourself on a particular location to settle then wait for summer.

[Disco]

Thanks Ocean1, thats very helpful. Spring it is! It will give us a little more time to prepare and find some good accommodations.