Needles & Grooves

Anything less than "my full collection" is unacceptable

@Tys1 the country is actively recruiting people with my wife's occupation. That's why we are looking into it.

@folsom_lives I'm not sure the grand total. But there's an immigration application fee that's around $500. And since we're trying to immigrate cause they are recruiting my wife's occupation then she will also have to take a test to see if they like her skills, which costs about $500.

@JonnyH i guess in the scheme of things $500 isn’t a huge sum. I think I saw that it’s $2000 to renounce US citizenship. But the housing costs I just saw are probably the deal breaker. Average is $500k. Oof.

@folsom_lives it's a small island nation so space for housing is definitely at a premium. It's NZD though. And with how outrageous the US housing market is at the moment, I think if we sold our house and showed up in NZ tomorrow we'd have a decent down payment at hand. A house on my street just sold for 425k that sold for 248k just 2.5 years ago.

I believe they also want you to have savings/money in bank account when your arrive if memory serves but I could be wrong.

I'd probably take the opportunity to sell everything, honestly, unless I could keep a small number at a relative's house here. Might depend on whether I ever intended to return.

The one I was looking into was a something along the lines of an investor and was upwards of 200k. I gotta research what careers they need and do that because this country is hopeless

@JohnnyCashFan through this program my wife will have to have a job offer in hand for them to accept us.

@BjorgenFjorgen yah, I was thinking like, maybe i could take 5-10 records?

Look for a record case, new or vintage, you can carry on. Some records shops have them. Should be able to get 35-50 in one. Thats what I would use on my trips abroad. There are also some DJ ones but that may attract attention if you checking it in.

5-10 records!? My whole carry on luggage would be packed full.

@JonnyH It would be tough to bring just 5 albums but small price to pay, for like… your life

If it’s permanent and you’re going to have to container your life across the world then them all would be my decision.

Also whilst the cost of living and housing costs are higher in NZ so generally are salaries so there is that balance. Plus them and the Aussies do have a great outdoor lifestyle. Plus less political bullshit taking up head space.

This is fully my plan as well. I've lived in Australia and visited NZ and I absolutely want to live there.

What is your wife's occupation? asking for a friend

Having moved internationally a couple times to different continents, if you're thinking a more permanent move then you'll be glad you ponied up more on the front end to bring what you wanted. It makes adjusting to a new culture and new life easier when your home still feels like home. So I'd bring most if not all.

All of them! I imagine a lot of US pressings would be super rare in NZ

@wokeupnew teacher!