How much money does it cost to live in Auckland?

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › How much money does it cost to live in Auckland?

catjones

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#93048 12-Nov-2011 06:20

Hello,

I am a young guy looking to move to central Auckland within the next 6 months. I have an open work visa so my plan is to move there and look for a job, and hopefully, get one. I am calculating how much it costs to to live in Auckland. I just finished my bachelors and post-graduate course (which costed me a cool 40k) so I don't have much spare cash right now but I figure I should have enough to move.

Here are my estimates, do you think they are correct?

Small room in an apartment + all utility bills - 800/mth.

Mobile phone - 30/mth

Public transport (will be getting the Maxx bus and rail pass)- 200/mth

Food - 400/mth

Spare money for leisure etc - 300/mth

Total: 1.7k / mth.

kobiak

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#544498 12-Nov-2011 09:20

about right.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

heavenlywild

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#544510 12-Nov-2011 10:08

Yep, I think you have got that about right as well.

gzt

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#544535 12-Nov-2011 11:50

About right. You may need to reconsider your mobile estimate, especially if you anticipate making calls during the day eg; Voda has a short 1 month contract deal for $45 / 100 free anytime minutes / 250mb data (+bonus). Some apartments get net service with no need for phone service, so you could be using mobile only. Skype is useful, but not 100%.

[Depending on where you are coming from] if you are used to eating outdoors, your food estimate might be low. NZ does not really have street food cheap, and you could spend $400 per month on lunch without trying.

catjones

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#544553 12-Nov-2011 12:27

Hello, thanks Kobiak and Heavenly.

gzt: About right. You may need to reconsider your mobile estimate, especially if you anticipate making calls during the day eg; Voda has a short 1 month contract deal for $45 / 100 free anytime minutes / 250mb data (+bonus). Some apartments get net service with no need for phone service, so you could be using mobile only. Skype is useful, but not 100%.

[Depending on where you are coming from] if you are used to eating outdoors, your food estimate might be low. NZ does not really have street food cheap, and you could spend $400 per month on lunch without trying.

I don't think I will be using the phone much. It is basically for potential employers to call/sms me.

Yeah...I realised that food in NZ is quite expensive and most meals, even those in cheap food courts, cost 8-10 bucks. I guess I will be eating home-prepared food most of the time, with the odd KFC, Macdonalds and what have you thrown in when I am in the mood. I will basically spend my days surfing the internet looking for job openings and going out for interviews. My plan is to survive for 5 months and hopefully land a job within these 5 months. If I run out of money, I can probably ask my parents to send me a few grand, but hopefully that won't happen.

I've heard that New Zealanders are generally very friendly and nice people. But I have also heard that Aucklanders are generally less friendly and nice. I think that is typical for most big cities with a large number of foreigners.

Survivor Auckland should begin on Jan 2012. One man, from one tribe, looking to survive in a foreign country for 5 months, and hopefully land a job. Will he make it?

Cloudmelon

186 posts

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#544556 12-Nov-2011 12:33

catjones:

Survivor Auckland should begin on Jan 2012. One man, from one tribe, looking to survive in a foreign country for 5 months, and hopefully land a job. Will he make it?

Good luck

nakedmolerat

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#544588 12-Nov-2011 14:21

catjones: I've heard that New Zealanders are generally very friendly and nice people. But I have also heard that Aucklanders are generally less friendly and nice.

JAFA

nate

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#544591 12-Nov-2011 14:35

I would skip the bus/rail pass and try and live close to wherever you get a job. You can then put the leftover cash towards booze or nicer accommodation.

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NonprayingMantis

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#544627 12-Nov-2011 16:54

i reckon the $800 for rent and all utilities is on the low side for a one bedroom flat. Might be doable if you are sharing though.

gzt

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#544638 12-Nov-2011 17:06

nakedmolerat: JAFA

Just Another Friendly Aucklander. Think positive.

Kyanar

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#545259 14-Nov-2011 16:53

catjones:
Here are my estimates, do you think they are correct?

Public transport (will be getting the Maxx bus and rail pass)- 200/mth

$250 a month actually. I'd recommend if possible being as close to where you want to be instead because unless you're on the route for a Link bus, the system can get... unreliable at times, potentially costing you much more in missed opportunities.

catjones

21 posts

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#545434 15-Nov-2011 06:05

Kyanar:
catjones:?
Here are my estimates, do you think they are correct?

Public transport (will be getting the Maxx bus and rail pass)- 200/mth

$250 a month actually. ?I'd recommend if possible being as close to where you want to be instead because unless you're on the route for a Link bus, the system can get... unreliable at times, potentially costing you much more in missed opportunities.

Hmm...good idea. Yeah it is 240 bucks...jeesh!

I will probably buy either just a bus or rail pass, depending on which one I use to go to work.