> everytime I look at moving back to NZ I just get depressed about housing costs.

How does it compare to bay area housing costs?

Probably comparable. I'm in Minnesota though where the cost of living is low but IT wages are relatively high.

I think Minnesota is underrated. Great place to live.

> I think Minnesota is underrated

Shh. The locals like it that way.

Apparently. The last few jobs I tried to get in the twin cities was met with resounding silence.

As a New Zealander, I can't afford a home in Auckland. I have 0 desire to ever move back to NZ.

If you can't afford a home in Auckland, you can't afford one in the bay area either.

Christchurch winters are rough because it is pretty humid there and most people don't have central heating. It isn't so cold temperature wise but It feels more cold in general than other places I have lived in The Rockies.

I live in Minnesota now. My wife was born and raised here but has spent a couple of winters in Christchurch. She has always maintained that a winter in Christchurch is worse in some ways that one in Minnesota because of how damp the cold is.

Of course winter is a shorter duration in Christchurch!