Submitted by an expat woman living in Auckland, New Zealand

I live in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland is located on the North Island, and is the largest city in the country with around 1.2 million people living within its borders. It is located on an isthmus and bears the nickname "The City of Sails" because of its harbors.

Lots of rentals, but rent and housing in general are at a high cost. There are a lot of furnished rentals which can be great for people who are just arriving and want to look around before deciding on anything permanent. Rent is paid on a weekly, not monthly, basis. A helpful website is: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-property/index.htm

Most people don't have hired help.

Skype is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. The main phone provider is Vodafone, but there is also 2 Degrees and Telecom. We have a pay-per-month plan with Vodafone and have a "Best Mate" plan, which was the most economical option for us with a home phone. Cost of cell phones in NZ is much higher compared to the US, and many people text rather than call because it is more economical.

- Internet:
Our internet is through Vodafone. We pay $90 a month for a high data usage plan.

- TV/Newspapers:
English is the primary language, so the newspapers and TV are in English. There are some programs and newspapers that are in other languages (e.g., Maori, Chinese).

- Postal Service:
Mail is through NZ Post (http://www.nzpost.co.nz/) and is quite reliable.

English is the primary language, but it's a very multicultural city and you can hear people speaking various dialects of Chinese, Indian, and other languages {e.g., Tagalog, Maori, Samoan, etc.}. There are language tutors and classes, some through the local Auckland Library system.

Water is safe to drink. Ours is provided through our rental agreement. We have a gas and electric plan which typically costs around $140 in winter per month for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom large apartment.

It depends on what you do for a living. There are some who come to NZ on a travel visa, then look for a job and are able to find something - food service, working in a warehouse, etc. If you have highly specialized, in-demand skills, it should be fairly easy for you to find a job. Check out the EmigrateNZ website for more information.

Currency is in New Zealand dollars. It is quite easy to set up a bank account. You will need proof of address and your passport. We were able to open ours and get EFTPOS (similar to ATM) cards the same day. Our Visa debit cards arrived within a week.

There is private insurance coverage and some employers subsidize this, but if you have the proper paperwork, then healthcare coverage is provided by the NZ government.

There is schooling from preschool all the way up through university and graduate schools.

We live in the heart of the city and have not technically needed a car, although it would be nice to have one. The cost of gas is high in New Zealand, so for the most part we are able to get around on the bus or walking. Both of our jobs are within walking distance, but whenever we need a car it is easy to rent one. I have taken the bus several times and bought a 10 ride bus pass, which made more economical sense. Check out http://www.maxx.co.nz/ for more information on public transport.

Getting a driver's license was relatively easy. You need a copy of your driving record showing that you have had a license for at least 2 years, or if your driver's license has the issue date on it, then you can just present this. You will also need your passport, proof of address, and various forms filled out. If you are on the approved country list, you do not need to sit any exams or taking the driving test. Once you have filled out the paperwork and given them appropriate copies, you get a temporary license (good for 21 days) and your official license is mailed to you.

Check out http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/residents-visitors/driving-nz.html for more information.

It is easy to find things you need, but may not always be easy to find what you want. It depends on how selective you are. If you are willing to be flexible, then there is a lot to choose from. Some of the main clothing stores are Farmer's, Max, Cotton On, and Smith + Caughey's.

I would definitely buy make-up in the States before coming over. I did this, and am really glad. Make-up is much more expensive here. Finding a place for a good haircut and highlights can be costly, especially in the central city area. Books here are very expensive - having an eReader will save you money if you read a lot!

Sports: rugby, net ball, cricket

Entertainment: theater, movies, opera, symphony, sailing, etc.

Auckland central is not very pet friendly. Most apartment and home rentals will not allow dogs, though some will allow cats. This becomes less the case the farther into the suburbs you get.

If you bring your pet over from the States, there is a lot of paperwork and exams that are required. Once they are in NZ, they will need to be in quarantine for 30 days. If anything is discovered regarding their health, they may be quarantined for 6 months.

I have a blog at http://www.practicallyperfectblog.com with more information on our experiences. The other websites that I have listed above were very helpful to us!