Anyone else interested in a Galt-style community in New Zealand?

Posted by RebelCelt 9 years, 3 months ago to Business
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Looking at opening up a beachfront coastal ranch and community in New Zealand and curious to know if anyone here would have any interest?

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  • Posted by RebelCelt 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I have a really cool spreadsheet I have built. Is there a way to upload here? Might create it as a google doc if not...
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  • Posted by $ TomB666 9 years, 3 months ago
    I'm 72. Would NZ even allow me to immigrate? We were in NZ then Australia last year (2015) and found that Australia would demand $500,000 up front to allow us to move there. We had already left NZ so I did not get a chance to ask there.
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  • Posted by RebelCelt 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Chile is an interesting choice and has it's own pros and cons. For me, while Chile certainly makes my top 10 list, New Zealand took the #1 spot after exhaustive research and personal experience
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  • Posted by RebelCelt 9 years, 3 months ago
    For those wanting to have a detailed discussion, you can shoot me an email to Justin@PaoroStation.co.nz
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  • Posted by davidmcnab 9 years, 3 months ago
    Yes - depending on area.
    Where in NZ are you looking at?
    I'm already based in NZ and could offer some levels of technical, engineering and logistic support.
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  • Posted by blackswan 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    What's the deal with Australia and Fiji? Let's have a direct comparison. We can even include other countries, like Switzerland, Brazil, South Africa, Botswana, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay, Chile, Belize and others. What are the most important variables? Why? How stable are the laws of each country? On and on. A spreadsheet might be useful.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    No worries, kh, its good to have the points made more than once since people often dont read every single post ;^) NZ is getting a good number of Asian immigrants now. Lots of Asian students going to college in NZ, too. Downtown Auckland (near the university) has a lot of Asians on the street all the time. It has improved the cuisine available a lot though;^) Best Masaman curry I have ever had was in a Thai restaurant in Taupo, NZ.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, I mentioned the immigration problem in another post here. You have to do your homework before making any choices. I haven't looked at the NZ immigration rules in over a year, and as I mentioned it is more difficult now than it was just 5 years ago if you are over 50. Foreign small business owners were more welcomed in the past than now. When I went there in 2011 you could form a NZ corp over the internet even as a foreigner. Now every corp must have an NZ resident as a director. (I closed my corp as a result. The annual cost for a corp in NZ is very reasonable.) I think younger immigrants are still welcomed with relatively easy work visas if they have skills needed in NZ, but there is a bureaucratic process that must be followed, just as is the case in the US and every first world country (and likely any country that has any ability and will to police immigrants.).
    Relatively speaking, $200k NZD is a trivial buy in investment for a first world country. In comparison, Australia wants $2 million AUD investment. Third world countries have much lower requirements to go with their often inferior infrastructure, unaccessible job market, foreign language barrier, and corrupt rule of law. You get what you pay for. Yes, NZ requirements may be difficult for many people. (So was Atlantis).
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  • Posted by basalyga1 9 years, 3 months ago
    Definitely interested. We need more details to know if it is do able.
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  • Posted by Wnston 9 years, 3 months ago
    Not everyone would be approved by NZ to live there due to financial requirements.
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  • Posted by khalling 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    hold on a minute. First of all-the buy-in to NZ if not getting a job there (getting a job there is not easy, even if one is lined up) is a huge hurdle. I forget the amount of savings you must have as a requirement, but I think it is 200K or more. The de facto freedom in NZ is less than "south of the border." Those are obstacles people should keep in mind. (db's best friend relocated to NZ to work as a doc in a hospital-the job lined up, still took MONTHS to gain entry on a working Visa). just things people need to keep in mind if they choose lamb. :)
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 9 years, 3 months ago
    If I were a tumbleweed who did not have roots, I would be attracted to a place without a host government to screw with me.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Michael, your rambling style of writing makes it unclear to me what you're trying to say.

    There are no double income taxes on earnings in NZ. If you pay US income tax you don't pay NZ income tax, and there is no tax on moving funds to or from NZ. (Banks charge a fee on changing currencies which is another reason to know that banks always get paid for doing nothing but restricting free markets.) NZ income taxes are lower than the US income taxes over all. They do have GST taxes instead of sales taxes) but they are not in effect on businesses (the tax is refunded for anything purchased for business use.) Real estate taxes are lower in NZ than in the US. The cost of living is about the same as the US, but wages are generally lower. If you have US dollars they go farther in NZ than in US big cities in general, but it depends on your spending habits. It's a first world country with all the conveniences that Americans are accustomed to having. You can drink the water from the tap without any immediate health problem unlike anyplace south of the Rio Grande close to the US. The rule of law exists and there are no drug gangs ruling the government (although the politicians are no better than the US;^). Kiwis do have an unusual accent, but its still English, and you don't have to learn Spanish or put up with a total culture shock. Americans are treated with respect, and not just thought of as "gringos" who have to live in ex-pat gated communities for safety. Money held in banks in NZ are arguably safer than in banks in North and Central America. NZ banks are paying about 3 to 4% on savings accounts (easily transferable to pay bills.) NZ compared to Mexico/Central America is like comparing roasted leg of lamb to enchiladas. It depends on what you like personally. For the present, I'd take the lamb.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 3 months ago
    Take a hard look at New Zealand.

    I have been to both islands and most of Australia and a nearby mentioned destination of Fiji. Particularly look at the tax structure. Compared to the USA as as total including all embedded taxes there is not much difference. Then look at return for taxes paid. Both are socialist in terms of areas like medicine. But both are also capitalist countries with social leanings and not Socialist countries. Very modern etc. Common sort of language. Here's the rub. Moving money from the US means 'after tax dollars' then check how that money entering NZ or Oz will be taxes both in sales tax area and income tax area.

    My grandparents coming from England suffered paying an income tax on earning, again to Britain on drawing retirement and again to the USA on importing the funds. A Californian moving to Oregon will see the same result. Upon earning, retirement to California regardless of where you reside, and then to Oregon except Oregon deducts from theirs the amount paid elsewhere. This will provide a clear picture of funds available. Investment money can sit at least in Australia untaxes unti it is drawn out then if still a US Citizen IRS wants it's full bite and Oz will take 30%.That's the rudiments on the financial part. Wants some deeper study.

    As for living there, either one, BIG TIME thumbs up. with one exception to near our southern border. Everything is set up in the US to keep you chained;. Bank issues, tax issues the lot. After filing it's your job to go search the results on the internet to find out if it was enough and if not and you don't the 60 day rule with fines applies. I have yet to receive a letterll they claim was sent out from the IRS. That's their little gotcha.

    Changing banks is another chore. Stay FAR FAR away from Bank America. I do ok with Wells Fargo and they have rearranged my number of withdrawal to suit my program. For retired military or government employees look at Navy Federal CU and especially Anderson Federal Credit Union in Maryland. they cater to travelers and people living outside the country. Top Marks go to Anderson FCU.

    So far I've made no draws on the previously tax paid Oz funds. They are in a non interest earning account as well. I get a letter to add to taxes annually stating that. It is my escape fund to be honest and I call it that. There are a few things that can be done with the setup.

    Advantages to south of the border are proximity to family and ability to stomp out government sponsored problems and favorable exchange rate fast access to stuff you just can't do without. that sort of thing. Learn the language. It's not difficult. If it comes to it I'm a dual citizen with the British Empire and will change as there are no allegiance problems. My country doesn't exist anymore. We'll see what happens after the elections to change or not change that statement.
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  • Posted by awebb 9 years, 3 months ago
    Would love to hear more details on this (ex. exact location, cost, why New Zealand, etc.).
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  • Posted by $ sjatkins 9 years, 3 months ago
    That very much depends on the particulars of the guiding principles and agreements of this community and the costs of whatever kind of joining it.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 3 months ago
    Hi, Justin,
    I'd say, "Sign me up" if the NZ immigration department had a reasonable visa policy for me.
    It has changed for the worse significantly in the past few years for people over age 50. I do not want to retire. NZ needs talented people. In my opinion, the only rational reason for the immigration policies is they don't want anyone who may have health issues in the future unless they bring million$. They want young people who will work cheap for 30 years or more and not complain about low wages. Sounds a lot like the US in that respect, except that NZ has a very big Rio Grande to keep most illegal immigrants out.
    Glad to discuss it further though if there is a legal long term visa that isn't a bad contract for me or the venture.
    (I lived for 2 years on the north island in 2011-2013.)
    What is the location for the ranch?
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