Leave America for NZ. I'll be working as an Urban Planner.

decision to leave... as in leave America or leave NZ?

What was your visa for in Queenstown if you dont mind my asking? they generally only grant visas for construction, cooking, doctor, or vet these days. Its annoyingly hard to get a visa if you are a white collar worker like myself.

I thought it was at that site where I read your post, of course it could have been here. I'll take a look later and see If I can't dig it up. I've quoted your post in discussions with friends many times. You're post contributed to my decision to leave.

I do not think so. I have been to the site but do not recall contributing.

what section so I can read my clone post

Lucky you. Queenstown rocks! I would buy land there if I wasnt sure that its own success will ruin it.

Did you make this same post on emigratenz.org?

I got offered a job in Queenstown and I'm in the processes of getting all the paperwork complete. I can't wait! When I get settled in I hope to post some planning/development information regarding NZ here.

I see a great deal of boosterism here about Auckland, and I can say from my experience it is both impressive, and dissapointing.

I lived in NZ for a year ending 10/1/2005. I was able to experience living in the country during a lions rugby tour, the tri nations, an election, and the hiliday season. I can say easily 1000 great things about New zealand. there are however huge problems in the cities.
They call it "P" we call it Meth. 10 year old kids are doing Herbal drugs that might as well be narcotic, and by the time they are 13 they have tried P. it seems every other flat has evidence of P production on the walls, and every electric stove has stains from young people "spotting"

DRUGS.. sure every country has problems, but in my experience it is much closer to an epidemic in NZ. the worst thing is that the Maori and immigrant polynesians are the most affected, and a culture of living off the dole (welfare) and doing drugs while Hooning around in a WRX is concidered the good life.

I lived in Aucklands affluant northern suburbs, and spent 1-2 nights a week in Auckland. I was a bartender, and knew most everyone in the hospitality scene/club scene. and yes this is the drug scene. But I also was involved in construction and property development, and knew people from all walks of life.

it seemed to me that everyone smokes weed (likely close to 80%) many people do herbals (60%+) a large number do E, (40%?) and a disturbingly large % smoked or snorted P


all that being said. I would move to Queenstown in a Heartbeat if I thought I had enough money to do so.


To anyone looking to study abroad here I suggest Univ of Otago. its in the best city in the country in the best part of the country, and it has the best reputation of all of the universities. Duneiden (SP) is small like every NZ city outside of Auckland but has more charm than most, and is very close to many of New Zealands best Natural attractions.

If anyone wants to know anything about this country or its cities, please send me a message. I will give honest frank, non sugarcoated answers.



More about Auckland.(good this time)

It's pretty and its tall. If you take the ferry from Gulf Harbor you get a great view of the city If I remember to I will post a picture I took. The city is still undergoing a building boom that has lasted almost a decade. the next time I get back there I am sure I will not even recognize the skyline. there are dozens of condo and apartment towers going up not only downtown, but in the posh inner suburbs. Parnell and Poncaby. The Auckland Museum is incredible especially for Maori and Polynesian artifacts. The maratime Museum on the waterfront is a great place to spend the day. having a major university downtown helps contribute to the cities life, and a simple but effective highway system does a fine job of getting people to work(although they all complain thinking a 30minute comute is long) There is a fledgling rail system and a great bus system. The socialized healthcare kinda sucks, but is nice as long as you do not need surgery.

<a href="http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101237&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1" target="_blank">http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?...;ht=2&sro=1</a>
this link should show all of the built Vs proposed and approved buildings in town. Kind of reminds me of the building boom in Miami. My buddy says the market is just starting to cool a little over there. we will see

This is Australia - we don't have ghettos!

Melbourne or Adelaide these are my primary two locations. NOW....the job hunt begins. When attending college is preference given to Australian citizens? Like...lesser tuition, free tuition etc. In the states you are on your own for education. Any help appreciated.

THIS RUNNING OUT OF WATER THING IN OZ IS SCARY. Is it really that bad?

Hey, guys. I am also an American wishing to relocate to Australia (hey, the grass is always greener, right?) to continue my education.

I am interested in going to graduate school for urban planning. I have been living in Shanghai, China for over two years now. Shanghai has opened my eyes to the importance of urban planning, and my lungs to the importance of making cities sustainable.
(When I first came here we had two subway lines. Now we have five, and are planning another six by 2010. On the other hand, there are massive traffic problems and they are only building more and more roads).

I am drawn to Australian cities for a number of reasons:
1. Like Chinese cities, they are fast running out of water. But they are so different in terms of population, economics and available space. I think this offer an interesting contast.
2. I loved Sydney, thought it was one of the most livable cities I have ever been in (but don't tell my Manhattan family that!)
3. Am interested in the steps being taken by the populs to conserve water.
4. Was amazed by how much protected nature there is in the country and want to study how societies expand around those areas.
5. Am interested in living in a country where the government would propose a scheme to tax drivers inorder to support public transportation. (Does anyone know anything about this?)
(http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/too-many-tolls-not-enough-says-moore/2005/10/26/1130302838996.html)

I've been checking out Planning Institute Australia (PIA), which has a list of accredited universities, but no helpful community like this.

Could anyone share their thoughts with me on studying urban planning in Australia? Which are the best schools/programs? Any suggestions for more places to get intouch with urban desigeners in Australia?

Thank you in advance for help! Appreciate peopel taking the time!

Howdy there again,

University places are allocated. Firstly there are those places for Oz citizens, the majority of which are subsidised via a loans scheme (the Commonwealth foots the bill, then takes it out of your pay at tax time, a little each year till it's gone, which is never). Unfortunatley we do have a lot of fee-paying places, most of which go to OS students, and to be honest, has a significant bd effect on academic standards. Due to the capitalist-anything-goes attitude of our government, universities are dependant on fee-paying places to keep the doors open.

While there is some variation from state to state, a high school student typically spends years 11 and 12 trying to get a good mark for university entry (or partying hard then realising it's exam time). This is the VCE in Victorai (Victorian Certificate of Education), the HSC in NSW (Higher School Certificate) and I'm not sure what it's called in SA. This then translates to a standardised score, and you have to get a certain base score to be considered for a course at your chosen uni. For instance, medical courses are restricted to those people who get amazing marks, close to 100, whereas the science degree I first enrolled in had an entry score of 70.

Admissions for undergrads are centralised and students apply with a ranked card of their preferences. There is no direct application to a particular university unless it's for a fee-paying place or for postgrad courses.

Now about jobs.............whats your thoughts and is there much around that you're interested in?

Hope all is well

Added to the fact we knocked down half of perths heritage and most of the better stuff, we brang in and still have tight controls on heritage but there is still moves to develop modern skyscrapers with art deco faccads.