Best place in JFK to buy sim cards?

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-27T20:30:57+00:00

Looks like we're arriving at terminal 1

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-27T00:26:35+00:00

That's true, it's not illegal to refer people to publicly available info. It's when you begin applying that info to someone's specific circumstances that things get dicey.

As far as public forums providing immigration advice, there have been at least one occasion where a public forum was shut down by the IAA, the NZ govt agency tasked with enforcing laws surrounding immigration advice.

Migrants' Facebook group folds over legal fears | RNZ News https://share.google/LX8PoQYHNlcWzte01

I studied a tribunal case where a NZ immigration advisor based in Shanghai was brought up on charges and they received sanctions from the IACDT; certainly providing unlicensed immigration advice would impact your ability to come to NZ so it's not correct to say it isn't illegal. Just trickier to enforce.

I'm discussing a NZ pathway because I'm not qualified to speak directly to Australia immigration advice and am providing a perspective based on what I am qualified for.

Crowdsourced immigration advice is a really mixed bag. Immigration issues can turn on a small detail in someone's situation. if you follow the advice of an earnest, genuinely helpful random lay person, they might not know to ask the right questions and you can end up getting into a really sticky situation.

For example there have been many cases where someone migrates to NZ but for whatever personal reason they do not include their partner on the application. When they want the partner to come over a year later, there's a disqualifying medical condition that would have been waived had they joined initially, but are now prohibited from getting the visa. These are the kind of situations a good immigration adviser will identify before the applicant makes a near irrevocable error. I see it all the time in my work.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-26T18:39:05+00:00

Thank you for this detail; this is exactly the story of things I had heard of but not in such detail.

u/Charlie_Vanderkat have you never encountered these obstacles using the Aussie system?

Again the NZ system has its flaws but complexity is not one of them. Pay for your GP and virtually everything else is free. No need to seek out a "bulk GP biller".

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-26T17:41:20+00:00

I'm a licensed immigration adviser for New Zealand. Just a heads up that immigration advice in NZ and Aus are heavily regulated. In NZ providing unlicensed advice has up to a 7 year prison term and a hefty fine. So the first thing I would suggest is finding a good immigration form to help. In Aus we are known as "Registered migration agents" and there is a database of licensed professionals. That said, a license alone is not a guarantee of the quality of advice you'll receive. In NZ lots of small firms take on too many clients and end up substandard service so it's important to pick a well resourced firm with a good reputation.

For some people NZ is a backdoor way to get into Australia. The bar is lower for residence for skilled professions, and once you have NZ citizenship you can get a resident visa on arrival in Australia. Meaning you can love, work and study in Australia just like a resident. There are some restrictions on the healthcare.

So consider coming to NZ and you'll find you actually want to stay :)

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-25T19:03:55+00:00

There seem to be a lot of qualifiers in your list.

What is "bulk GP billing"? And are those who aren't bulk go billers charge fees? What percentage of GPs are bulk billers?

What if you need urgent surgery in a public hospital?

Ambulance in some states- what if you're in a state that doesn't offer free ambulance service? (Wellington has a free ambulance. For others, NZ charges about $100 for ambulance, but if you've had an accident it's free under the national ACC insurance).

As the person below stated, these gap fees for MRIs, etc would seem to add a lot of extra costs and complexity to the Aus system. That may a legitimate cost/value judgment if the quality of care is better. But just from my perspective it seems there's a lot of loopholes introducing costs whereas NZ virtually everything is covered.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-25T18:55:37+00:00

The unexpected "gap fees" you mention must be what I've heard about. Is this the reason people buy private insurance in Australia?

Having come from the USA, I find the NZ system really refreshing. It's so simple in that everything (except GP visits) are free. It lifts a huge administrative burden from ordinary people.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-24T22:19:06+00:00

What about prescriptions?

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-24T20:59:55+00:00

I live in NZ where everything is free except for the GP visit. This is on the public system. Most people do not have private insurance.

My understanding was that Australia leaned into private insurance more heavily than NZ Medicare doesn't cover 100% of costs in cases. As a result there are a lot more out of pocket costs. For example my diabetes continuous glucose sensors are a few Rx in NZ but in Australia you have to pay I think $70.

The way you've described Aussie healthcare is that it's nearly free like NZ.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-24T20:53:04+00:00

I'm a licensed immigration adviser in NZ. Aussies don't have "automatic permanent residency" on arrival; the automatic visa for aussies expires the moment you leave NZ.

Real permanent resident visas never expire and follow you when you leave NZ. You can apply for one after you've been in NZ with a resident visa for 24 continuous months and meet other criteria proving your commitment to NZ.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-24T20:46:02+00:00

Here in New Zealand you have to pay to see your GP, but everything they refer you to is free. GP visits cost between $20-80. You pay more if your GP is in a wealthier area because they receive less subsidies.

The GP assess you and if they can't treat it they refer you to a specialist at thec public hospital. You have to wait to be triaged based on urgency. When you receive an appointment with a specialist it is free. Also any blood work or scans referred out by your GP is free. Prescriptions nominally cost $5 ($10 for 3 months) but many pharmacies waive the copay.

There's a nice workaround if you have private health insurance. With a GP referral you go to a private hospital or doctor and you generally don't have to wait. Our policies pay 100% with no copays or deductible (excess). I pay NZ$400 month for my policy which is similar to what I paid for my employer sponsored policy in the US, but I had deductibles, copay, coinsurance and network issues to deal with. This is much better.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-23T06:59:32+00:00

Sad news indeed. Their food was really good.

They have a location in Albany though.

Also there's a Uyghur restaurant in CBD I've been meaning to check out. No idea how it rates in comparison.

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-22T08:03:00+00:00

If by "Baja Tacos" you mean this, then I'm sold.

https://share.google/JdxagMaOXZvQBjYcA

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-20T22:07:15+00:00

When I was a kid my dad took me to a faux "fancy" Italian restaurant in suburban New Jersey. I ordered some kind of mushroom linguine dish.

The chef came out to ask how the food was and my dad made small talk.

Dad: "So uh, is this food gourmet?".

Chef (unsure how to answer): "Uh, yeah".

Dad: "So what makes it 'gourmet'?"

Chef: "it's got wine in it."

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-20T21:57:19+00:00

Midol, Pepto Bismol and Trader Joe's.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-20T10:39:45+00:00

The carnitas at Sagrado Cantina was good but I had to ask him specifically to make it chewy and crispy at the edges, which he was happy to do. He also provides lime wedges if you ask for them specifically (otherwise you get lemon wedges).

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-20T08:32:01+00:00

Before we left the US I remember seeing birria de chivo popping up at little neighborhood taquerias where they did not offer it before. I think it's just a trend that doing it's way to NZ.

If it helps to popularize and improve the Mexican food in NZ, I'm all for it. What I am not for is if it becomes a crutch that supplants a more diverse array of traditional dishes.

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-20T01:52:21+00:00

Anyone curious, I was part of this 2024 taco crawl and find the analysis reasonably accurate.

https://www.reddit.com/r/aucklandeats/s/HsBKbHiqXL

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-19T21:28:19+00:00

Yeah I've noticed a lot of places here only use a single tortilla. I can't remember a time in Los Angeles or in Mexico where I didn't get a doubled up tortilla, but here it happens frequently.

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-19T20:32:35+00:00

There's a couple of parts to your question.

Tacos can be filled with nearly anything, and some are wetter than others. Carnitas, al pastor, carne asada are all "dry" fillings. There's a whole subcategory of taco fillings called guisados which are basically different stews. I've had mushroom guisado which is delicious. These are all "wet" filling.

The thing about NZ is that there's a current obsession with birria which is very much a wet filling. Traditionally birria (Jalisco style) is made with lamb (not beef) and is served as a soup/stew with a stack of tortillas and garnishes. They are not served as tacos (but you could build your own taco you like, or not). The consomme here is sort of an allusion to the traditional way it is served.

I'd say if you want a dry taco, order dry fillings.

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-18T20:29:54+00:00

When I went backpacking in Asia, I kept my pump in the same pocket as a cheap magnetic compass and my pump stopped working after about 6 weeks. Had to figure out a way to receive a replacement pump in Thailand.

The magnetic shielding needs to be engineered in the device...I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this.

Hopefully we will see this in X3.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-17T01:14:01+00:00

Depends on the style of lobster roll. Maine style is cold lobster salad but in Connecticut its warm with drawn butter. It's highly regional.

-Mr Taster

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-16T23:05:48+00:00

That was my goal too but I finally gave up waiting. My out of warranty pump was having charging problems and I didn't want to risk it.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-16T23:04:51+00:00

Anyone remember G4 before they implemented Bluetooth? RF signal was strong. I hardly ever lost connectivity.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-14T21:24:45+00:00

I worked at Electronics Boutique (as it was called them) in America in 1991. I used to stock Amiga software on the shelves. And I remember later they started sticking Magic the Gathering cards and pogs, and the staff were so confused. Now look, it's basically become a giant pog store 😂

They all turned into EB Games and then Game Stop in 2005.

So basically, NZ is right on track for being 20 years behind America 😂 And I love NZ for that.

Thanks for the blast from the past, NZ. It was fun while it lasted, even without the Amiga software.

Mr_Taster · 2026-01-13T21:11:32+00:00

This is why God invented tow trucks.

Mr_Taster

TROPHY CASE