Moved over 12 months ago. 1 Aussie and 1 Kiwi by descent. It's beautiful here, the scenery is truly breathtaking and we really enjoy the cooler climate. It's amazing being able to keep the windows open year round without any screening to keep bugs out, could never do that back home. I just love the lack of serious traffic or miles of endless suburbs (not in Auckland though!). We intend to stay long term and would like it to be permanent if all goes well.
However, it's very expensive. Cost of living is high and wages are low for most people. Even on a good wage for here, you can still be left with very little for savings, unexpected expenses or entertainment.
You REALLY need to consider whether your salary will offset this enough to live comfortably and enjoy your new life here, especially with a partner and young child.
Ideally, having a signed and sealed job offer prior to moving would be best. If you know there's demand for your skills here and you either have the money to give it a go without putting your family at risk or you have support from friends/family over here, that's great. But weigh it carefully, timing is important and if you're not ready now you can always make the move later.
Almost everything costs more. Food is the big one you hear about. But please take the time to consider all the other purchases you need to make on arriving here and in the months to come, just to get you truly settled. It's likely more than you think, even with good planning. So don't leave yourself without a buffer. Then the regular expenses need to be seriously looked at.
There are things you won't be expecting if you don't do your homework that can hit you rather hard when you are cash poor.
There's often a 'Letting Fee' for rentals offered through most agents, basically you pay the cost of one weeks rent + GST (15% here) as a one time fee on the start of the lease. Not something I was familiar with from life in Australia, but thankfully knew about before heading here.
The quality of housing for the asking price can be rather discouraging, depending on where you're thinking of moving and where in Australia you're coming from. There's many old houses that have barely been updated and not really built to suit the climate here, that still command very high rents.
Any whiteware, furniture, electrical goods etc can all cost considerably more here, even second hand. I'm looking at a decent bed and couch soon, and the difference between Australian prices is rather painful, not to mention the rest of world..
Living in a very tiny apartment with no heating, I pay the same for one month of electricity here as I did for three back in a large duplex with air con in Australia. Your experience may vary, but plan on it being more expensive here.
I think if you can make it happen and you feel drawn to starting a new life here, definitely give it a go. It's a very different pace of life for us and we feel far more at home here.
The cost of living and lower wages is really the only issue that gives us concern about the decision. Money certainly isn't everything or we'd never have moved here, but you do need to have a life and hope for the future. We'd like to start a family later, but feel the need to put it off much longer here to afford it without struggling.