its Wednesday, but feel like weeks since leaving SA as it been so hectic.
To start from where the last post left off...accommodation. New Zealand is not anything like SA. Here there are so many tenants, rental agents have their pickings on who they want to choose.
It is not like in SA where an agent works for you. Don't think you can ring an agent and ask them to find you a place. No no, here you book a viewing, most during business hours, rock up with about 10 other people/couples that are also interested, have a quick 30min tour and leave. Then if you happy you apply and hope you get chosen.
Besides the above hurdle, I started a new job so it won't look that good me popping out for half a day twice a week or so, and currently there is not much in way of decent houses on the market, apparently, January is better. So I bit the bullet (and my credit card
) and booked into another Airbnb for 3months - Total bill? $3,500
or R35,000
Here is the thing though, it works out to about $250 a week, comes with free wifi/internet, power, water and use of their appliances. Previously I looked at single rooms to stay in, communal housing (hostel like) is a big thing here in NZ, and a single room can go for $200-$300. On top of that is another $20-$30 for shared expenses and some you have to arrange your own internet as well. So in my mind, the Airbnb was worth it.
Now I can also take my time to find a proper place in the next 3months, save some money to send back home and not to worry about where I am staying.
Besides the current Airbnb is located on a mountainside! I go up 70m for the 450m walk I do... at least I will get fit in Wellington
Today I went to an AA center, its a partnership agreement with the licensing authority in NZ, like our post office has in SA, but instead of just being a paper pusher in SA, here they can convert your license, test your eyes, take a photo of you and arrange test (theory and practical) as needed. I was in and out in 20minutes, and this included an application to join the AA at $79 per annum. It was a tough decision but with membership, I am saving 5% on my life insurance I am busy applying for, which equates to $104 for the year - win already! and I got $3 discount on the umbrella I bought at their shop
Then yesterday I had my first New Zealand lunch! Why is it special...cause it comes with beer! Here an afternoon lunch of meeting with a drink or 2 is not frowned upon. it did feel weird drinking during business hours, but hey the boss ordered
Other than that I did my first site visit today to properties we manage and spotted an automated roller shutter door in the warehouse - its big, its fancy and I am sure very expensive. I do not even want to know how much it is costing them to just maintain as it opens/closes about 100 times a day with forklifts going in and out.
Anyway, supper time then bed as I have an early breakfast meeting tomorrow morning - this week so far has been cheap food wise as people here lunch a lot, bring food to the office meeting and I have a few Christmas parties already lined up - networking is a big thing here.
oh, and guess who is one of my tenants
Lunchtime - people take lunch by the clock and go sit outside
A temporary license is written out there and then - original will be in the post and reach me in 10 working days
If you do construction here you wrap a building to prevent damages and mostly for the wind
My hike from the bus stop to the place I am staying at - note I do this in a suit
The areas under the bridges are council parking where its a whopping $18 a day! to park - I had to take the car in one day as I was planning to go view houses.
the fancy auto roller shutter door
and just again, the public transport that works...busses coming and going non stop - about 20 different routes
Topic: Life in New Zealand - The move has been made... (Read 54314 times)
