Misc updates on life in NZ

Here is an update on what we have been up to the last week-

* We bought a car. Ended up with a 2007 Toyota Corolla. I wanted the Steel Blue color so we don't actually have the car yet. It is being sent in. The dealer was nice enough to give us a loaner until our car arrives. A couple things we picked up on buying a car. You need to be careful about where it is originally from. A lot of cars are imported used from Japan. These cars don't have the best reputation for servicing and also have weird things like back up beepers and different radio frequencies. The Toyota we are getting is under the Signature program. These are cars that were originally sold to a car rental company and then turned back into Toyota at 20,000 kilometers. Toyota then rehabs them and puts the car back on the used car market. Toyota puts a 3 year warranty on the car and does the servicing for the first 3 years as well.

* House shopping- we have looked at a bunch of houses. Nothing that we are really committed to at this point. We are still trying to figure out what area of the city we want to leave in and how much of a mortgage to commit to. Houses are expensive! If you want something with 2 bathrooms, you have to get something built in the last 10 years. A couple comments on housing. Houses are not built with heating or cooling. People heat with space heaters. Until the last few years, insulation in a house was considered a luxury. Double pained windows and screens are not used either. Houses don't have basements or attics either. New housing developments build the same style house you would get in a new development in the US. Older homes are generally a bungalow style with 2 - 3 beds and 1 bath. Bathrooms are often split with a separate room for the toilet and a different room for the show and vanity. Most bathrooms have a separate shower and tub (not a combo like the states). Kitchens generally include fridge, microwave, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Buying a house is also challenging as prices are often not listed. Houses will be listed as "make an offer" or offers overs "$XXX considered". Many houses are also sold at auction. An agent can only show houses their agency has listed. So to cover the entire market, you have to work with multiple agents.

* Bike riding- we went on a bike ride with the Auckland Cycle Touring Association Saturday morning. They have Saturday morning coffee rides that are pretty casual. We did a 'cooks' tour which basically means we road on whatever was there - beach, gravel, road, sidewalk and bike path. The route was around where we are living so it was nice to be with someone familiar with the trails. We plan to ride with the group again.

*Friday night drinks - it is part of the 'NZ 'work perks' package to host Friday drinks every so often. Employers buy a few rounds at a local establishment. We attended John's night out. John's work office is also relocating next week. They are moving to a brand new building a few miles down the road. We also visited his new office over the weekend.

* Pat - we meet Pat and here daughters Linda and Anne. Pat is my grandmothers best friend and lives in Auckland. My Grandmother and Pat met in the 40's when my grandfather was in the military. They spent some time in California together.

* Grocery prices - We had a request for info on food prices. The exchange rate is around .60 US to $1 NZ. Prices listed here are in NZ dollars. Generally, if it can be produced in NZ, the prices are in line with what you would pay in the US, if not cheaper. If it has to be imported, you pay for it. Fruit/veggies are very reasonable. Meat is more expensive.

Spring onions - 1 bunch 1.99
Iceberg lettuce- 1 head 1.79
Cayene spice - box- 1.99
Big block cheddar cheese - 6.99
Asparagus - 1 bunch- 1.75
English muffins - 6 pack - 4.06
4 pk bar soap- 2.49
sandwich bread- 2.10
6 pk beef patties - 8.15
3/4 lb chicken breast - 11.18
1 pepper - 1.99
1/2 gal milk- 4.33