What is life like in New Zealand: pros and cons for migrants?

How do you build your life in New Zealand?

How much money is needed for a comfortable life? What problems might people face when they just move here? We spoke with several residents of two different cities in New Zealand and learned about their daily lives.

Ayuna's experience

Ayuna, a 32-year-old woman from Ulan-Ude, shared her experience:“For $3000, you can buy a pretty decent car.”. She and her family moved to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and have been living here for a year while on maternity leave. During weekdays, they enjoy exploring the city, enjoying its unique sites and attractions. The spring awakening of nature delights their eyes, giving them the pleasure of enjoying the beauty of the world around them.

Standard of living

When it comes to the standard of living, it should be noted that New Zealand is considered an expensive country to live in. Prices affect almost all aspects:

• housing rental
• fuel cost
• food products
• medical care
• education

For example, renting an apartment can cost around300 dollars a weekHowever, some things, such as transportation and clothing, are often available at more reasonable prices. To the delight of the locals, a good car can be found for about3,000 dollars.And a variety of clothing in stores can also be purchased at an attractive price.

Inequality and budget

The standard of living in the country is generally quite high, but the level of prosperity among the population varies, leading to inequality between different social groups. For a comfortable existence, a family will need at least3000-4000 dollars per month.

The kindness of the local residents

Ayuna also emphasized that the residents of New Zealand are different.with kindness and responsivenessLocal residents enjoy spending time with friends and family, engaging in various sports, including running, cycling, and hiking. It's not uncommon to see groups of friends gathering in restaurants or cafes. The local population values a measured pace of life and strives to enjoy every moment. Surprisingly, there is no rush here: people have a calm and unhurried approach to life. Drivers on the roads are polite and patient, willing to yield to one another, without honking or showing displeasure.

Attitude towards foreigners

When it comes to the attitude towards foreigners, New Zealand is known for its inclusivity. The country is home to many ethnic groups, and each of them shows respect and support for the others. Interestingly, New Zealand has three official languages:English, Māoriandsign language for the deaf-mute.

Disadvantages of living in New Zealand

Ayuna also noted some downsides: living in New Zealand can be financially burdensome. There is a shortage of qualified specialists in the medical field, which can lead to long waiting times for doctor appointments. Unfortunately, the education system is also facing challenges — a lack of teachers and limited curricula complicate the learning process.

The weather in Wellington

Wellington, where Ayuna lives, is known as“the windiest capital in the world”where wind gusts can reach 80 km/h. The weather in this city is often unpredictable: one minute the sun may be shining, and a few minutes later it may be raining, followed by wind and sometimes a hurricane. Unpredictable weather is one of the most powerful experiences for newcomers. In addition, powerful earthquakes occur periodically, which also warns that life on this island is full of unexpected events.

Adaptation to a new life

Life in New Zealand, especially in the early days when I faced strong winds, turned out to be a real challenge. It felt like my house could be swept away by a hurricane at any moment, but gradually adapting to such weather conditions became a reality.

Positive aspects of life in New Zealand

I would like to mention some of the positive aspects that make life in this unique country special. The nature here is simply magical: the shores of the Pacific Ocean are teeming with exotic animals and amazing birds. The locals are known for their kindness and friendliness; they are always ready to lend a helping hand. Personally, I haven't had a single negative experience, which is certainly pleasing — people are very well-mannered and cultured.

Quality products and stylish shopping

It is also worth noting the quality of the food products:

• Dairy products
• Meat delicacies
• Fruits and vegetables

— all of this has a wonderful taste. Something special is the large number of stylish boutiques where you can find affordable yet fashionable clothing.

Environmental situation

The ecological situation in New Zealand leaves only a positive impression. This island state does not suffer from significant atmospheric pollution. Every citizen realizes the need to take care of nature. For example, plastic bags have recently been abolished in our region, and now I carry reusable cloth bags to the stores.

Entertainment and leisure activities

The developed infrastructure offers a wide range of leisure options — everything from family recreation areas to cinemas, theaters, interesting museums, and modern malls with zoos and sports clubs. There is a huge selection of tourist attractions here. Moreover, New Zealand often hosts events featuring stars, well-known music groups, and performers. Not long ago, it hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The perfect place to live

New Zealand is the perfect place for families with children, nature lovers, and travelers, as well as for those who seek to enjoy every moment of life without unnecessary haste.

Anastasia's impressions

When I was in Christchurch, the city where I was staying, I was lucky enough to chat with Anastasia. She shared her impressions: "I am 24 years old and my husband is 26, and we moved here from St. Petersburg.

The overall income level in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the average month of earnings for workers is about NZ$4,000, which translates to about $2,340 in US dollars. It is important to note that this figure does not include tax deductions, which depend on the level of income. The higher the earnings, the higher the tax rates, which applies, for example, to those whose annual income exceeds NZ$48,000 (about US$28,000), here the income tax rate reaches 30%.

The country is experiencing a massive demand for various specialists. This applies not only to doctors and teachers but also to skilled workers, as well as a significant demand for IT specialists.

Available job opportunities

To find a job in New Zealand, you need to have the appropriate visa, specifically an open work visa, and at least basic knowledge of the English language. Additionally, there are various pathways for immigration and obtaining residency:

• Admission to a higher education institution or language school;
• Starting or buying a business;
• Investing in the country's economy;
• Marriage to a citizen of New Zealand or a resident;
• Reunion with family members.

After living in New Zealand as a resident for five years, you will have the opportunity to apply for citizenship.

The experience of searching for a rental property

As for our experience renting a place, upon arrival, we didn't have a clear understanding of how long this process would take. We booked the cheapest hotel with a kitchen for two days and immediately started an active search for housing. However, on weekends, locals prefer to relax, and almost no one responds to our emails, making it extremely difficult to arrange viewings for apartments. Therefore, we had to focus our search only on weekdays.

Search scheme for rentals on weekdays

When the weekdays arrived, we had already developed a system for finding housing. First of all, we focused on researching listings. Usually, the listings include a link to schedule a viewing, as well as a specific time and date. If the link was missing, we could contact the apartment owner via phone or email for more information.

Each scheduled viewing took about 15 minutes. It was important not to be late, as there were quite a few people interested in seeing the apartment.

After viewing the apartments, if any of the visitors are interested in housing, they submit applications to the agent. The agent checks the documents and data and then draws up a list of candidates. This process usually takes about a week. We waited ten days in anticipation, living in a hotel, and on average attended 2-3 viewings a day, but we never received any real feedback.

Turning point in the search for housing

Our situation changed dramatically when one of my husband's colleagues, who recently moved in with his wife, offered us to stay with them temporarily. After spending a month with them, we finally managed to move into our own place. In the first two weeks after settling in, we were actively setting up our home, buying essential items: pillows, blankets, chairs, a table, and other necessities.

Thus, we spent two weeks searching for housing, and then we waited almost a month for the moment when we could move into our new home.

Conclusion

Life in New Zealand is a challenging yet fascinating journey, full of vivid experiences and new discoveries. The experiences of our heroes from Wellington and Christchurch clearly show that while the country may be expensive, it offers stunning natural beauty, a safe ecosystem, and a friendly community in return.

You have to be prepared for a leisurely pace of life, where every minute is precious and haste is rare. As Ayuna notes, locals value time with family and friends and live with the realization that every day is a gift. However, there are financial aspects to keep in mind:

• High salariesHowever, many expenses may turn out to be higher than expected, especially in the first year of adaptation;
• As Anastasia notes, the importance of the habit ofweekly rent paymentand adapting to the cost of medicine;
• The change in weather can be a challenge for newcomers.

However, despite all the difficulties, life here can offer incredible experiences and joys. You will be able to enjoy the unique nature, breathe in the clean air, and participate in cultural events such as world championships or concerts by stars.

Important points for newcomers:

• To live comfortably, it is necessary to take into accounthigh costs;
• Get ready forthe peculiarities of the local rhythm of life;
• Keep in mind the changeable weather andecological conditions;
• Every moment spent here is worth it —discover new things and enjoy life.

I am convinced that for nature lovers, families with children, and those seeking new experiences, New Zealand will be the perfect place for their new beginning.

So, if you are considering a life in this corner of the world, know this: you will face not only challenges but also endless opportunities. The key is to stay open to new experiences, embrace everything life has to offer, and don't be afraid to dream. This is a place where dreams can become reality, and I believe that every moment spent here is worth it.