I spent a week in Auckland in Sept. 2018 on a biz/education trip. Really enjoyed my time there, was impressed at all the construction going on. of course was particularly watching the surveyors at work. I'd love to go back again.
Regarding the acceptability of US credentials, I expected as much.
As far as referring to you as “Mr” , no offense was intended.
Additional evidence that New Zealanders think differently from those in the US.?ÿ
I graduated 2008 straight into GFC and watched half the members of our local professional surveyors disappear, a lot went to the mines in Aussie due to boom there. Have to agree about the boom/bust.
I started up solo business (central North island) late last year so not ideal timing but glad I had sense to do it out of cash not debt, going to be a part time job for next year I guess.
Housing is obscenely expensive here for the poor quality you get. I've not travelled much but understand our foods pretty expensive here too. But it's a beautiful outdoors paradise with a pretty moderate climate. Our culture here is that you don't blow your own trumpet or push yourself forward, very stoic. Kind of like the British with stiff upper lip but without the winging. Politically I think all our major parties would be so far left on the US scale you couldn't see them. We have a national accident insurance scheme so no suing when someone causes you an accident and a reasonably good public health system, private health insurance not mandatory here.
Yep, other than European ancestory I'm not sure our PM shares anything much in common with your current President.
@holy-cow?ÿ 'Dat true.?ÿ I have 2 acres in Nosara near the beach with road access, water & electricity.?ÿ It was stolen by a fraud involving my long deceased father (original purchaser) selling to someone who used his falsified passport.?ÿ It's been three years of slogging through the legal system with a silver lining appearing last January when the federal court unilaterally instituted criminal proceedings against the (alleged) perpetrator(s).?ÿ Probate proceedings are also separately involved.?ÿ My agent cautions me it might be several more years before a resolution is reached.
@flga
Here's an option for you. You buy it, and I'll look after it (use it) until you can get here. Then when your visitors visa runs out, I'll look after it until you can return ... repeat. We'd never even need to see each other.
The only thing I don't like is that the forward view in the saloon is blocked, I couldn't handle that, so I'll be cutting some windows, at no cost.
Pre-Covid I had planned to travel to Costa Rica again to purchase the retirement place. Right now I can't envision ever being on a commercial airplane for the rest of my life. I guess I could drive, but I have little desire to traverse either Mexico or Nicaragua as an American. Maybe I could take a cruise and not get back on the boat for the return trip... Secondary backup spot was the Pacific northwest, but I have an acquaintance who is leaving there after his utility bills tripled (He and his wife pull in about $250K/yr.). So, I have no idea what I will be doing or where I will be going, if anywhere. Its far too hot where the grandkids are...
Have a co-worker who returned from OZ last year after 16 years there. He liked it but said it is very, very different from the U.S. in a number of ways.
I knew already that USA uses the term "First Lady" for the wife of a President, and now after looking at the www I see that "First Gentleman" is also possible.
Anyway, that man next to NZ's Prime Minister is her partner (aka husband), however in NZ he's referred to as the "First Bloke".
Secondary backup spot was the Pacific northwest, but I have an acquaintance who is leaving there after his utility bills tripled
Huh?? Cost of living is high in the PNW, but utility bills are the least of it. For one thing, I haven't needed heat for several weeks now, and don't expect to run the air conditioning until late June at the earliest.?ÿ?ÿ
Yeah, B.C. seems to stand for "Bring Cash." All of my friends out there are mortgage poor. Utilities seemed reasonable when I did my small stint out there.
The views made me seriously consider extending the short stint permanently.
I believe the "Sir" comment was more inline with this:
