Been in NZ for just over 4 years. The AU/NZ banking system is way out ahead of the US in my experience. Instant acct-acct transfers even on weekends. Hourly posting for bank to bank transfers. Better online experiences. Most of the big banks, and kiwibank, offer good free expense tracking and budgeting software ala mint.. I really hate having to deal with my US accounts :|
Even here in the banana republic called Thailand I can do instant transfers from my account in one bank to my own or someone else's account in another bank. I can do it by phone, at an ATM or online. I too loathe interacting with my US bankings.
BTW, any issues or threats by your US bank to close your account because your are living abroad? It's going around.
My account keeps getting deactivated because I don't make purchases from it with a debit card or check; I have to call online services and have it reactivated every few months :(
OzForex? CurrenciesDirect? There are many similar exchange agents: You transfer to their bank account of country 1, they transfer from their local bank account in country 2, avoiding international transfer fees. Few days, less than 1% away from the Google rate, unbeatable.
Australia and NZ have different currencies so there is no way you can avoid dealing with the money changers. There was a bit of debate a few years back about if Australia and NZ should form a single currency, but it did not seem to get far.
