My nephew went there and found it incredibly beautiful. He was about to by land, and decided to think about it a bit more. But he bought a mooring in the harbour!!! Weirdo. I would like to get a bit more information. Any expats?
Hi Monk,
Yep - I am from NZ! I guess a mooring is cheaper than a house - particularly here in Auckland - but he will also need a boat! It is a nice place, and you can see a lot of different things in a short space of time…
Tony
I live down in Christchurch on the south island. Now isn’t a great time to look at real estate here as the NZ dollar is at record highs vs. the US dollar and prices are at a peak. Wait a couple of years and things will look a hell of a lot better - like 20% cheaper or perhaps even more taking into consideration currency and the market changing to more of a buyers market. Having said that, living here would still be wonderful at 10 times the price. Cheers, Scott
What Mr Molina says is bang on vis a vis housing and the dollar. .72c, or something, at the moment.
Nice place, though. It can feel a bit isolated, at times, and slightly smug. But an average income (NZ terms) buys you a good lifestyle here. I’m sure CLM has a good perspective on good points about NZ as she has spent a fair bit of time here.
Generally, how is the allergy situation down there. Does the ocean wind keep the environment pretty allergen-free? Neph has a debilitating reaction to allergens, developed from “nowhere” about four years ago, called uticaria. He is traveling to try and find a location that may give him relief. Problem seems to be that once his body adjusts, it goes nuts again.
Looking at websites of NZ it looks like a paradise.
Also, if “skid” is who you say he is, he triathlon record is great and all, but I saw him last weekend, and at this point in my life, I would rather have his hair.
P.S. If you want to use Neph’s mooring, he would never know!
I suffer from allergies quite badly in teh spring as well. Arizona was kinda bad this time around. We certainly have lots of weed and grass here so allergens are bad here too in the drier places. Next to the sea is better as the wind usually comes from that direction. That’s one of th reasons I live on the sea here. Generally the air we get is as good as anyplace on the planet. There’s nothing for 10,000 miles in the direction our wind comes from.
Regarding growing thick, Samson-like hair - if you train really hard for long enough you not only do well in races, it makes the hair grow on your head like nothing else on the planet. It also helps your manhood grow magnificently…
In the spring you need your allergy meds on you at all times.
Re the hair, etc, I am also rather well ‘thatched’, and it may be a combo of lots of clean air, a bit of training, and also regular beer consumption.
As for the manhood comments, I, of course, am far too polite to comment on that…;
It also helps your manhood grow magnificently…
I guess it makes your nose grow, too, Pinocchio!
I’m sure CLM has a good perspective on good points about NZ as she has spent a fair bit of time here.<<
AWESOME PLACE!! If I could live between there and France, I’d do it in a second. Though there is this totally crazy coach who lives there that you have to watch out for. 
Lifestyle is just a little more laid back and mellow than SF.
clm
Tell your nephew to stay away.
New Zealand is CRAP. Expensive, lousy weather, the people are arrogant and insincere. Taxes are too high, the tri scene is feeble with badly organized races and they’re expensive to boot.
Stay away while you still have your hair, your friends and your money.
TriDork
p.s. the above is a complete lie. I just don’t want anyone else to come here and possibly ruin, or at least overpopulate heaven. Come and visit, sure. Leave your foreign money when you leave tho’ 
Well I have been in New Zealand for three months now and this is as close as paradise as anything I have seen. I have had the chance to travel quite a bit around the world and there has been very very few places where I have said ‘I definitely could live here’.
If it wasnt for all the strange city names with W and H with the impossible pronunciation (at least for a french canadian), and the rough pavement, NZ would be perfect. I have checked the housing and prices and incredibly high, even in smaller locales. And considering the fact that many people are ‘discovering’ NZ, I would not share Skid’s optimism about the housing market falling out anytime soon. Only one month left in NZ, but I’ll be back for sure.
Francois in Montreal