The Cost of Living

Whilst the economies of the world seem to be terrified of a recession, New Zealand has a budget surplus and a strong economy with high rates of interest compared with the UK and a very strong dollar against most currencies. So much so that in the three months since I've been here the value of the $ against the £ has risen about 18% ie it now costs me 18% more to live here with my UK income than it did three months ago. It's not easy to say whether the cost of living is overall much cheaper for a New Zealand resident though. Fresh foods in season are cheap but I reckon there's not much in it for many other foods. Wine's cheaper! Motoring is a lot cheaper with petrol at $1.70/litre. If petrol in the UK is about £1.70 a litre then the difference is about 2.5 times ie the rate of exchange at the moment. Ah well wotthehellarchiewotthehell.