So if the virus gets so bad the economy in the US completely collapses, I would take the whole tribe down to New Zealand. Not for any political reason, but just because it seems like a very cool place to live. I like the ocean, I like mountains and the Kiwis that I have met seem very laid back.?ÿ?ÿ
Surveying looks like a skill they are needing and would allow for immigration...
https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/why-choose-nz/compare-new-zealand/usa
How many Kiwis are on here?
Where would you go if you had to start all over?
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Where would you go if you had to start all over?
Back to Canada...
So if the virus gets so bad the economy in the US completely collapses, I would take the whole tribe down to New Zealand.?ÿ?ÿ
You going to take a plane or a boat? Is their economy going to be any better?
Would not relocate under any circumstances.
Would start focusing on engineering work again and completely forget surveying.?ÿ Go to work for "the Man" and punch a clock like the olden days.?ÿ For the first time in nearly 40 years I could have holidays, vacation time, sick time, bereavement time, personal time but wouldn't need to concern myself with a retirement plan.?ÿ Probably work in the adult education area in some form related to engineering.?ÿ Maybe teach a class called,"Things you really don't want to hear, but, damn it, you had better pay attention".
..Where would you go if you had to start all over?
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Probably where'the sun keeps shining through the pouring rain and the weather suits my clothes'. ;)
(apologies to Harry Nilsson)
We are expecting our Governor to announce a 10% pay cut for all state employees today, likely in the form of 2 furlough days a month. If this is implemented (very likely will be), I would be working for free, which I will not do. The amount I would net in retirement would be roughly equivalent to what I would net by continuing to work under a pay reduction, so I am likely going to retire by September.?ÿ
I don't plan on leaving the US or even California (although I would like to) because my children are rooted here. I plan to buy a cabin in the high Sierras and that will be our get-away.?ÿ
I expect if the US economy collapses, the world won't look much better.
..Where would you go if you had to start all over?
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Probably where'the sun keeps shining through the pouring rain and the weather suits my clothes'. ;)
(apologies to Harry Nilsson)
That song was written by Fred Neil, although Nillson did a decent cover of it.
Had to be born on or before June 16, 1951 to get into the movie featuring this song on the day it came out. Few here qualified, legally. I saw it at a drive-in while still 16. Sort of saw it, anyway. We had brought in plenty of cherry vodka to blend into the Coke from the concession stand.
Most here don't have a clue what that movie was or why it was considered to be so "naughty".
@bill93 Oh a plane for sure. Not many people are flying at all right now and I am sure the airlines will require testing before flying before too long, especially on transoceanic flights.
I'm sure the world economy is gonna suck for a few years.
Just day dreaming really...
Where would you go if you had to start all over?
Georgetown, Grand Cayman (BVI). Would buy a Viking 55c and charter to tourists. And live on 7 mile beach in a condo.
I've begged SWMBO to do this for the last 5 years. I'm having the same problem as begging for sex when I was younger.
Ie: No, quit thinking about it.?ÿ ?????ÿ
@spmpls Thanks sucks, but I am sure your are not alone. I would imagine many government employees will be facing your same situation very soon. Our local DOTs are already predicting a drop of near 70% in fuel tax revenue, not to mention sales tax.
Reread the Grapes of Wrath a while back. One thing I took away from that book was in hard times, being a newcomer/transient to 'California', the land of milk and honey, can be a hard row to hoe.?ÿ
How many Kiwis are on here?
I'd say there's about 4 or 5 (of us). There's plenty of New Zealanders who look at USA (and other parts of the world) as being the Garden of Eden.
I once read a statistic that said that out of a population of 5 million, there's 1 million overseas at any one time. Probably got that wrong - maybe it was 1 million travel overseas each year.
I suspect that in the near future the New Zealanders will put a stop to all the wealthy Americans using their country as a bug out location.?ÿ
How many Kiwis are on here?
I think there are three kiwis active on this board.
I suspect there are a number of lukers - the old POB board was popular with the local Trimble employees.
Surveying looks like a skill they are needing and would allow for immigration...
Right now you would not be let in to the country at all - our lockdown only allows only returning citizens and permanent residents. Also that skills list is suddenly out of date.
Our licensing board reports 711 current licences, for a population of about five million. Registration here requires an approved four year degree and a minimum of two years NZ experience before you can even start to apply.
During my lifetime the NZ economy has been one of boom and bust - mainly bust - and surveyors are among the first to see the effect of any economic downturn. Just waiting to see what the long term effects of la Covid will be. I was surprised to be called back to work (at 80% hours and salary) - I am honestly expecting not to have a job in three to six months time.
You also need to understand that the NZ economy is more like Canada's than that of the US. While we do have a good public education and health system and some social security, income tax is around 35% plus there is a 15% sales tax on everything. Land and housing prices are sky high - four hundred thousand to a million for a home on the average salary of 75k.
You will also need to learn english, a car has a boot not a trunk; it is spelled 'colour' and distances are in metres...
Where would you go if you had to start all over?
We traveled a lot when I was a kid, and a fair bit after that.
I used to say there were only two countries in the world where I want to live - the South Island of NZ and Alaska, although I would consider Canada's West Coast.
Right! You can't get in now and if things get worse, they certainly won't relax their policies. Yankees (Americans) aren't welcomed the way we used to be.
We already have - unless you have a spare billion or two and can buy your passport like Peter Thiel and James Cameron 🙁
@flga
Georgetown isn't BVI. You might get your Viking 55C for a bargain, but "charter to tourists" ? Don't think so. Not until things get a lot lot better. I've been hauling my sailboat in Tortola for Hurricane season for the last 20 years. I'm paid in advance since January. But the BVI govt. won't let me in. I might have to buy insurance, then hire a BVI agent/captain to meet me at the border to take my boat to the yard. But then how will I get it back in November?
Didn't I see where OZ and NZ are allowing travel but only to each other?
They are talking about it - our Tourism industry are the big drivers - but it hasn't happened yet.
