Relocating To New Zealand: A Viable Option?
New Zealand is nearly as big as the state of Colorado and slightly larger than the United Kingdom. It’s part of the Oceania continent and is known by the Maori as ‘Aotearoa, ' which translates as ‘Land of the long white cloud.’
The country is also one of the top dairy producers in the world and was the first country in the Asia-Pacific to make same-sex marriage legal.
These are all fascinating facts, but that’s not enough to convince you to relocate to New Zealand!
Cost Of Living
The average person is concerned about whether New Zealand is expensive. The currency is New Zealand Dollars; one of these dollars is, on average, equivalent to 0.59 US dollars. It’s a stable currency, and your money will go further.
To give you an idea of how much further, the average rent in New Zealand is $525 per week. The average rent in Los Angeles is $2,158 per month.
Allowing for the exchange rate, living in New Zealand will cost you roughly half of what you spend in LA.
When you’re living an elevated lifestyle, this may not seem like a crucial factor. However, consider how far your funds will go. The average property price in New Zealand is $927,284. That’s barely over USD 500,000.
If you want the ultimate in luxury, then New Zealand has something to offer, including a 329-acre estate with its own peninsula and 30,504ft² of luxury living for $14 million. The same price gets you 7,000 square feet of living space in LA. Not even this $30 million property in Kenter Avenue, LA, can compare!
It’s worth noting that the cost of living in New Zealand is 21% less than in the US. You’ll get a higher minimum wage, and if you are looking for work, the economy is currently booming.
Commutable
You’re not going to live in New Zealand and do a regular nine-to-five job in the US. A commercial flight takes just 13 hours, or a private jet, costing a little more than $100,000, takes less time. You won’t have to miss any of the star-studded events that you want to attend.
It’s possible to enjoy the tranquility of your rural retreat without retiring from your current social circles.
You’re In Good Company
New Zealand is already a popular destination. For example, Russell Crowe was born in Wellington, New Zealand, although he has spent a lot of his life living in Australia!
Peter Jackson, forever linked with the Lord of the Rings, was also born and maintains a property in New Zealand. He refers to New Zealand as Middle Earth.
Of course, Sam Neill is also from New Zealand. He was born in Ireland but raised in New Zealand. As his adopted home, he has spent years advocating for its culture.
There Are Various Visa Options
As an American, you’ll find it easy to get a visa for New Zealand. Of course, if you’re simply purchasing a piece of real estate as a holiday home, you probably won’t need a visa.
If you’re relocating, there are several visa options worth looking at. These range from student visas to work visas and even partner visas.
A retirement visa could be an excellent option for many of you enjoying elevated lifestyles. It allows you to live in New Zealand indefinitely and is perfect when you don’t need to work in New Zealand to support yourself.
You’ll Never Be Bored
New Zealand may only be comparable in size to Colorado, but it has an impressive array of things to do. It’s possible to swim with dolphins at Kaikoura, bungy jump in Queenstown, and hike through some of the most impressive countryside in the world.
Don’t forget New Zealand also produces its own wine, and it's worth tasting. You can even indulge in wine tasting on Waiheke Island. Naturally, Marlborough is worth a look as it produces the impressive Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Alongside this, you can discover New Zealand's food culture. You must try the traditional meat pies, Kumara wedges, and the iconic Hangi. It’s worth noting that healthcare is free, and New Zealanders typically have a laid-back lifestyle.
Summing Up
Relocating to New Zealand should be an attractive option for anyone. If you already have solid financial backing, then there are a host of options available to you. The stunning scenery and low cost of living make it an attractive option.
Even those less financially endowed can make a success of a relocation to New Zealand. All it takes is a little hard work, motivation, and having a dream.