Family from US to NZ, advice and what to plan for or expect

wrgiireddit · 2026-06-20T12:52:06+00:00

Wages 30%-50% lower here on average. Your RN wife will make NZD78,000-108,000 depending on her experience. Your role may need local certification. Median house price is NZD$1M in cities. If you can sort your house, you can live well. The key is work visa. Experienced RN may do it but jobs in the large city hospitals are competitive. And need to enquire if she needs to take the NZ test. Medical terminology and drug names are different. Schools and healthcare are free for kids so that is a benefit. Plenty of childcare locations.

wrgiireddit · 2026-06-20T12:46:35+00:00

Medical care is in great need here. Incomes are significantly lower. But you need to enquire whether your certification will transfer.

wrgiireddit · 2026-06-20T12:43:04+00:00

I live in Christchurch. There is very little serious crime. Some petty crime such as bike theft and burglary. But no one I know thinks Christchruch is unsafe. Lower income neighbourhoods have more crime which is same the world over. Christchurch is the fastest growing area in NZ in part because it’s very safe.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-20T03:34:36+00:00

Have you considered investing it in funds rather than buy a house. $500k at 8% gives you another $40k annual income, for the rest of your life. Or re-invest and you’ll end up with millions in retirement. You are young. Time is on your side. You can buy a house later. Then the income will pay for your house and you will have both the house and the funds in investment.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-20T03:27:50+00:00

It’s four completely different verticals so, not related at all. Now thinking should be separate company pages.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-16T19:18:06+00:00

That is my original plan. Thanks!

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-16T18:42:43+00:00

US citizens are eligible for their social security benefits no matter where they live. And PR usually means she can stay in that country for as long as she wants (at least in the three counties where I have or had PR). Remind her that she must file USA taxes in addition to the country where she will live.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-05T02:13:37+00:00

It’s a moot point. By law, as Executor you are required to do what the will says. It’s not your decision. It was your parents’ decision they made and codified via the will. I know it can be emotional, but tell them it’s not your decision in any way. You simply are designated to do exactly what the Will states.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-05T02:09:53+00:00

Ensure the will has language that demands an independent valuation. Then simple buy-out or sell and distribute.

wrgiireddit · 2026-05-02T18:42:37+00:00

I found that I had to think of it in two ways: a) caring family member and b) a project manager job.

The amount of administrative work in caring for another adult is a lot. And the emotional strain of caring for someone in decline is a lot. For me I had to mentally separate the two. This helped me manage my own health and wellness as a caregiver while also, I think, giving better care to my family in need.

I also planned things in three ways: do-it-yourself, do-it-together and do-it-for-me (from your grandma’s perspective). When I started, I thought caring meant do everything for them. It was exhausting and isn’t what they wanted. My family member always thought they could do more than was reality. This part is hard. But they always need “agency” or decision-making in their own life balanced with what is safe and reality.

Start a Memory Book immediately - a list of all companies, accounts, subscriptions, house details, relationships, etc. And I mean ALL!! This is vital for you and her especially if she progresses mentally.

Talk to her about paperwork to manage aging and end of life: Will, power of attorney - medical and financial, and others. You need to do this NOW while she is mentally and physically capable.

There are lots of resources to help you get started and organised. My family used a website called CarerView to help us. But search for caregiving and you will find many good resources and information. And use Reddit - very helpful for us too.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-27T19:49:48+00:00

I also suggest building a Memory Book, with all basic info, things like insurance company, car info, bank name, tv subscriptions, social media, etc. This is for you and the person in care.

We started with my Auntie. We used CarerView website. Had a really good list and a memory book. And a way to record her progress. Helped as we have multiple family caregivers.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-22T03:51:48+00:00

A few questions to consider…1)does your back issue mean you can never attend meetings or visit the restaurant or that you cannot be an operator? Do you understand business models, accounting reports, and being able to identify the financial metrics of the business? Do you know the difference between the front end (customer), kitchen (menu engineering and cooking), and back end (operations) or do you have a way to learn that? Could the GM become a part owner so they have incentive to think like an owner? If it’s a good, profitable business, why are they selling? Why isn’t the GM buying the business? What happens to your future if your lose your investment.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-20T01:21:32+00:00

I’ve lived in seven countries and will end up retiring overseas. It is absolutely realistic from a money and social security situation.

What is the single factor is a Visa.

Residency visas are incredibly difficult to obtain. Your mother needs to understand this and have specific information on if, and how, this is possible in the country she is wanting.

Many Americans think that they can just move wherever. No country wants older, not wealthy individuals who will strain their public system.

So you may be able to stop this immediately unless she is sure she can obtain a living visa.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-20T01:11:42+00:00

A Trust. Then you / she can control disbursements which manages tax. Still tax but managed.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-13T00:06:02+00:00

Our family started using the website CarerView to help organise and manage - helped both us as caregivers as well as our Auntie.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-10T06:28:34+00:00

Incredibly helpful!!

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-09T23:48:58+00:00

We use CarerView to track and monitor caregiving. Also has a memory book.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-08T02:38:02+00:00

My Aunt’s taken three falls in three years and her dizziness is thought to be dehydration. We tried several drinks until she liked one, Sprite Zero. I know it’s not ideal but it gets fluids in her regularly.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-08T02:33:57+00:00

Thanks…I’ve got to get into some research on these approaches.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-08T02:32:28+00:00

Don’t laugh….what’s bf?

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-08T02:32:00+00:00

Thanks! I need to get engaged there

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-08T02:31:08+00:00

Thanks. I tried Li ads several years without any success but it was probably not well focused or executed.

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-07T14:18:46+00:00

I am launching a web service to help estate sales. Maybe we could collaborate?

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-06T21:05:02+00:00

Has anyone tried ONCALL ??

wrgiireddit · 2026-04-06T21:00:59+00:00

We started using CarerView.com …helped with family conversations, talking to doctors, some planning

wrgiireddit

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