Need some advice on emigrating

[shauntir]

I have a few questions and comments that I need advice on with regards to emigration.

I have been looking to emigrate to NZ and set a timeline to leave in Jan 2016.

I've been offered a position where I am able to work in SA part-time and then full-time remotely. The position is for a PHP developer. The estimated offering when in NZ is $70k to $78k per annum.

Here are my dilemmas:

1. I am a software developer doing mainly C#, SQL Server, ASP.NET MVC and love it. I've moved from being a PHP developer to a ".Net developer" and see myself using .Net more than PHP. Is it worth the risk to take a PHP developer job with the ability to get your work visa and residency which allows me to then get back into .Net. Or, will it hurt my career and vision too much that I am better of going to NZ without a job and looking for the job I want?
   
   
2. Is $70k to $78k enough for 2 people to live in Auckland? The average houshould salary seems to be about $74. The market related salary for PHP devs are between $75k to $85k. Whereas .Net developers and solutions architects get paid a lot more - between $10k to $50k more. Is it worth taking a lower paying dev job now to hopefully get the pay I want in the future?

Any other advice?

 

[cguy]

How long does it take to obtain a permanent resident status? (Ie no longer needing job sponsorship)

 

[Sonic2k]

I have a few questions and comments that I need advice on with regards to emigration.

I have been looking to emigrate to NZ and set a timeline to leave in Jan 2016.

I've been offered a position where I am able to work in SA part-time and then full-time remotely. The position is for a PHP developer. The estimated offering when in NZ is $70k to $78k per annum.

Here are my dilemmas:

1. I am a software developer doing mainly C#, SQL Server, ASP.NET MVC and love it. I've moved from being a PHP developer to a ".Net developer" and see myself using .Net more than PHP. Is it worth the risk to take a PHP developer job with the ability to get your work visa and residency which allows me to then get back into .Net. Or, will it hurt my career and vision too much that I am better of going to NZ without a job and looking for the job I want?
   
   
2. Is $70k to $78k enough for 2 people to live in Auckland? The average houshould salary seems to be about $74. The market related salary for PHP devs are between $75k to $85k. Whereas .Net developers and solutions architects get paid a lot more - between $10k to $50k more. Is it worth taking a lower paying dev job now to hopefully get the pay I want in the future?

Any other advice?

Have you filed your EOI? That will speed things up, I learnt that by chance.
I can answer many of your questions, but due to personal attacks I don't feel safe to divulge it here, but I will tell you that you will make it there. Don't expect to work with cutting edge there, for example there's still lots of Delphi being done there. Also be willing to work anywhere, as you get bonus points for being willing to work in non-major centres.

You need 145 points to get a work permit and permanent residency. It has become quite difficult as most of us scrape through.

Is $70k to $78k enough for 2 people to live in Auckland?

Yes because its not a rip-off like in this country and the tax rates are lower (despite what others here will try and tell you). My brother earns in that bracket, and although he is single, he was able to buy two properties, one is his own and the other was being rented out, but now that me, my wife, child and mom and dad are coming we will be using it.

 

[shauntir]

How long does it take to obtain a permanent resident status? (Ie no longer needing job sponsorship)

I believe it takes about 9 months should one meet the total number of points.

Have you filed your EOI? That will speed things up, I learnt that by chance.
I can answer many of your questions, but due to personal attacks I don't feel safe to divulge it here, but I will tell you that you will make it there. Don't expect to work with cutting edge there, for example there's still lots of Delphi being done there. Also be willing to work anywhere, as you get bonus points for being willing to work in non-major centres.

You need 145 points to get a work permit and permanent residency. It has become quite difficult as most of us scrape through.


Yes because its not a rip-off like in this country and the tax rates are lower (despite what others here will try and tell you). My brother earns in that bracket, and although he is single, he was able to buy two properties, one is his own and the other was being rented out, but now that me, my wife, child and mom and dad are coming we will be using it.

Would you mind PM'ing me the info that you're unable to put here? Wife and I have been to a few seminars now so we have some background to help.

I have not done an EOI yet as we weren't expecting a job offer anytime soon and it's taken us by surprise and threw our timeline off a bit. I think that will add to the needed points as well?

I believe I should make the points or close enough where I would only need to work a year or two to get the full points needed: BSc in IT, 7 years work experience, 28 years old, wife has degree and 1 years work experience.

I have 2 friends in Auckland that seem to be really happy there as well.

Edit: a bit disappointed to hear about them not being as cutting edge but I really hope I find some interesting and cutting edge stuff somewhere there

 

[Zarkon]

One of my friends is emigrating in a month. Another left 10 years ago..And they are super happy there,many south africans there. A friend of mine's mother also left for nz about 10 years ago..she was a resident after 5 years..and then they moved to australia. It is much easier to get into aus when u are a nz resident.They are now aus residents aswell.And they had no money at all,and got on their feet very quickly when they left for nz. Everything is balanced well there,not,like our country where things are outrages expensive.

Go for it,u can always come back..A better future may await you there.

 

[HavocXphere]

Yeah sounds feasible. If you're reasonably young & willing to improvise then emigrating is not that difficult.

he was able to buy two properties

Thats impressive. My friends that side tell me property is kark expensive & out of reach for many.