As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw • Hacker News Board

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#71

Post by chadgeidel » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:50 PM UTC

jconnop wrote: post #54

chadgeidel wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Internet connectivity issue was the big deal-breaker for me. Australian bloggers have been complaining about it since the beginning of the WWW. Apparently there's one provider and they don't care about anything beyond "email and casual browsing". I've heard that Australia and New Zealand share the same ISP and the same policies. This is going to be a huge hinderance for any tech enterprise. I'm glad to see @bspn…

Uncapped gigabit fibre is now available to a significant and growing portion of our population, and in almost all circumstances you have 10+ ISPs to choose from. None of these local monopolies that America seems to suffer from. We used to be an internet backwater, lagging behind Australia and far behind Europe/USA, but in the last 10 years we've really leapt into the 21st century. Case in point: http://www.speedtest.…

Good to know, thanks!

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#72

Post by anentropic » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:50 PM UTC

agentile wrote: post #67

A while back I was going through the immigration process for NZ with an immigration lawyer and had all the points necessary and was moving on to the interview phase. My wife and I ultimately decided to stop as she became pregnant and didn't want to be as far away from family. That and the flight/quarantine times that would be imposed for our dogs. Another big issue was taxes. To my knowledge NZ and USA are two countr…

I don't think that's true about NZ tax http://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax-individual/filing-your-ret...

I have heard that USA does that though

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#73

Post by rconti » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:54 PM UTC

Funny how it goes from appealing to "American Lord of the Rings nerds and Peter Thiel" really quickly.

Had our honeymoon in New Zealand and really loved it. Auckland and Wellington are both beautiful, but, frankly, I'd rather be somewhere more relaxed like Nelson. I wish we had spent more time enjoying the south island and less time up north. Not so practical if you're trying to find work, though, I suppose. (I didn't make it to Christchurch).

The housing prices really did surprise, though. Granted, most places I looked at housing costs were more "wandering around town, find real estate office, look at what's in the window" so it ended up being expensive places like Auckland, Queenstown, Wanaka, etc, but it was still quite surprising, and left me wondering how anyone could afford it without bringing in money from the outside.

Then again, the grass is always greener -- I moved from Seattle to the SF area 15 years ago for the better weather and better traffic (don't laugh!) yet every time I travel, I find myself drawn to living in places like Reykjavik, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Nelson, etc. I'm sure the realities of the climates of these various places would come to me after the novelty wore off. And perhaps I just look fondly upon them because they remind me of "home" -- even though I was so happy to leave it.

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#74

Post by abalashov » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:55 PM UTC

bspn wrote: post #28

TheAlchemist wrote: post #13

That's interesting ! I'm intending to make a move with my family in near future, and we actually went to visit the northern island for 15 days last month. The country is really beautiful, and there are not a lot of people around, so you can't help but feel blessed by the surrounding nature. The people are great, probably the nicest I've ever seen (as a whole). I've noted some cons though (not blocking for us thankful…

I too am considering a move to NZ for family reasons, and visited Auckland last month. It truly is a spectacular city framed by an amazing harbor, but it's not without some faults. My thoughts on the cons you raise based on conversations I had with a few locals: > housing prices are extremely high. I don't understand that, there is plenty of space everywhere (maybe except Wellington) and somehow they manage to not us…

One concern I always have in the back of my mind about NZ is seismic activity. I thought of it since you mentioned Christchurch.

It's unlikely to be seen as a major downside by those living in California and along the Pacific Rim, and it's clear NZ is no worse than Japan in terms of seismic risk, yet an advanced economy with plenty of people thrives there, to put it mildly.

But coming from the US midwest and then the southeast, where these issues are seldom a concern, it makes me nervous.

What are your thoughts on that?

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#75

Post by bspn » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:56 PM UTC

agentile wrote: post #67

A while back I was going through the immigration process for NZ with an immigration lawyer and had all the points necessary and was moving on to the interview phase. My wife and I ultimately decided to stop as she became pregnant and didn't want to be as far away from family. That and the flight/quarantine times that would be imposed for our dogs. Another big issue was taxes. To my knowledge NZ and USA are two countr…

NZ doesn't, but the US definitely does which is infuriating when you're considering moving to a country with a top rate of 33% and no capital gains tax! Also, there is a tax treaty between the two countries to prevent double taxation and the US exempts up to ~$100k of foreign-earned income I believe, but if you're a high earner or make serious profit on property and/or stocks you could find yourself writing a big check to the IRS to make up the difference (not to mention the hassle of filing taxes each year).

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#76

Post by TheAlchemist » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 3:56 PM UTC

nkrisc wrote: post #66

TheAlchemist wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We didn't looked at Christchurch - we assumed that as most people live in the northern island, we will probably end up here, so we preferred to spend full time there. For food, it seems like for the food problem it's also caused by the lack of 'culinary education' as we may call it in France. Children are eating bad food very early and those habits stick for life. We too have kids, and it looks like an amazing place…

Your thoughts on culture/history are interesting considering the islands have been inhabited in some fashion for around 800 years at least.

That's why I mention that it's very biased by my 'European culture' sense - old villages, medieval castles, places you read about in the books etc. In NZ, the oldest building has less than 200 years.

Of course, the Maori culture is amazing and I'm eager to learn more about. It's just that I feel like my kids will miss something I had the chance to experience.

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#77

Post by TheAlchemist » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 4:02 PM UTC

abalashov wrote: post #74

bspn wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I too am considering a move to NZ for family reasons, and visited Auckland last month. It truly is a spectacular city framed by an amazing harbor, but it's not without some faults. My thoughts on the cons you raise based on conversations I had with a few locals: > housing prices are extremely high. I don't understand that, there is plenty of space everywhere (maybe except Wellington) and somehow they manage to not us…

One concern I always have in the back of my mind about NZ is seismic activity. I thought of it since you mentioned Christchurch. It's unlikely to be seen as a major downside by those living in California and along the Pacific Rim, and it's clear NZ is no worse than Japan in terms of seismic risk, yet an advanced economy with plenty of people thrives there, to put it mildly. But coming from the US midwest and then the…

Just don't go to Rotorua :)

The whole place feels like it's unstable and ready to blow ! I loved the city, but I'm not sure I could live there, with those constant remainders of the seismic activity (this plus the smell...)

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#78

Post by agentile » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 4:02 PM UTC

anentropic wrote: post #72

agentile wrote: post #67

A while back I was going through the immigration process for NZ with an immigration lawyer and had all the points necessary and was moving on to the interview phase. My wife and I ultimately decided to stop as she became pregnant and didn't want to be as far away from family. That and the flight/quarantine times that would be imposed for our dogs. Another big issue was taxes. To my knowledge NZ and USA are two countr…

I don't think that's true about NZ tax http://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax-individual/filing-your-ret... I have heard that USA does that though

Yes, I may have that wrong. At the time I was a contractor so the fear was the following situation per "If you're a New Zealand resident, you're taxed on your worldwide income."

If we wanted to eventually become residents of NZ, which we did, and I was obtaining income in the US, NZ and US would both tax me for that income.

It seemed, however, less likely that NZ would approve me for immigration if I was not intending to contribute my talents to a company within NZ, so in that case, if I obtained a job in NZ, I would be taxed in NZ, and US would again tax me as well for that income due to US citizenship.

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#79

Post by bspn » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 4:03 PM UTC

abalashov wrote: post #74

bspn wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I too am considering a move to NZ for family reasons, and visited Auckland last month. It truly is a spectacular city framed by an amazing harbor, but it's not without some faults. My thoughts on the cons you raise based on conversations I had with a few locals: > housing prices are extremely high. I don't understand that, there is plenty of space everywhere (maybe except Wellington) and somehow they manage to not us…

One concern I always have in the back of my mind about NZ is seismic activity. I thought of it since you mentioned Christchurch. It's unlikely to be seen as a major downside by those living in California and along the Pacific Rim, and it's clear NZ is no worse than Japan in terms of seismic risk, yet an advanced economy with plenty of people thrives there, to put it mildly. But coming from the US midwest and then the…

It would for sure be a concern - and to be fair I don't know a whole lot about the risk other than it seems to be a volatile area - but probably no more so than the hurricanes, tornados etc we see here in parts of the US. From what I understand, the seismic risk is greater along the fault lines which run through Wellington and the South Island, so if you're based in Auckland you're probably more worried about a volcano suddenly springing back to life than you are an earthquake!

Re: As New Zealand Courts Tech Talent, Isolation Becomes a Draw

#80

Post by pjc50 » Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 4:03 PM UTC

interfixus wrote: post #7

Great for the Kiwis. I wish them well. But regrettably, I lack the patience to read past an intro sort of equating the ramifications of Brexit with those of Islamic State. Could journalism please step outside for a minute and perform a reality check?

Ramifications are still unclear, but if we end up in the situation where the Home Office decides that 3m Europeans here on Free Movement don't get to stay there will be a huge mess, potentially with blood on the streets.

Not to mention that last week senior Conservatives were talking up war with Spain over Gibraltar. Is this meaningless jingo garbage for the press or a likely outcome? Who knows?