The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Living In New Zealand

Living And Getting Around In New Zealand

Advantage #1 – You Can Enjoy A Peaceful Lifestyle

Most of New Zealand’s residents live a peaceful, laid-back lifestyle. Unlike other parts of the world where people scramble around, trying to earn as much money as they can, the residents of New Zealand value time away from work. As a result, people are far more likely to spend time focusing on living life rather than on earning a paycheck. This philosophy also applies to schools in the area. The idea is to allow students to learn and grow in a supportive environment without overly stressful assignments keeping them up at night.

Advantage #2 – There Is A Lot Of Room To Roam

When you look at the overall size of New Zealand, it is amazing that just 4.5 million people live in the country. Auckland is really the only city that has any kind of traffic to speak of. Everywhere else is relatively unpopulated. You don’t have to worry about fighting your way through crowds at the beach or rushing to get from one place to another. Instead, the overall atmosphere of the country is peaceful and relaxed.

Disadvantage #1 – There Are Few Buildings With Historical Relevance

If you love historic architecture, New Zealand may not be the best place for you. There are very few beautiful old buildings in the country. After all, the first Europeans didn’t start living there until the 1800s. Prior to that, the Maori people primarily lived in buildings that were made from wood. Because of that, you won’t find a lot of historic buildings in the country.

Disadvantage #2 – Not All Houses Are Built To Last

Building standards weren’t put in place until relatively recently in New Zealand. As a result, a lot of the houses in the country that were built in the past lack adequate insulation. Some homes don’t even have heat sources. New Zealand can get quite chilly during the winter. It is important to look for a well-insulated home that you can heat without spending a fortune in the process.

Disadvantage #3 – There Is Little Access To Public Transportation

Whether you are thinking of living in New Zealand or are just coming for a visit, you should plan to drive yourself wherever you need to go. There isn’t a lot of public transportation in place. Although there are trains available, they don’t have convenient schedules and usually don’t go to the places that you will want to visit. Although there are buses that operate in the country, they often aren’t reliable. The safest bet is usually to drive yourself.

Living Expenses In New Zealand

Advantage #1 – You Generally Don’t Have To Worry About Dealing With Corruption

Corruption is relatively rare in New Zealand. Unlike other areas of the world where government corruption is commonplace, scandals are mild and infrequent in this beautiful country. If and when scandals do occur, they are almost comical, simply because they are so mild compared to other government scandals throughout the world.

Advantage #2 – You Can Enjoy Amazing Cuisine

When it comes to eating, New Zealand is in a class all its own. You can find amazing restaurants throughout the country. These restaurants serve a variety of different types of food, ranging from Asian dishes to European-inspired food. You can also find restaurants that serve local cuisine, showcasing some of the incredible food choices that New Zealand has to offer. Best of all, dining out is usually extremely affordable.

Disadvantage #1 – It Costs A Lot To Visit The Dentist

Healthcare in New Zealand is affordable thanks to subsidies. Unfortunately, dental care is not subsidized. Although the cost of dental care for children is covered, adults have to pay for their care out of their own pockets. Sadly, the cost of everything from a simple appointment to a complex dental treatment can be staggering. More than half of the people in New Zealand don’t have a chance to see the dentist, simply because it is too costly.

Disadvantage #2 – Housing Costs In Auckland Are Exceptionally High

Auckland is by far the most populated area of New Zealand. In fact, half of the people who live in the country are located directly in the Auckland area. If you plan on getting a job, it is usually the best place to be. Practically everyone who migrates to New Zealand winds up living in or around Auckland. Because of that, housing is in short supply. As a result, the cost of rent is continually increasing. It is currently extremely expensive and is only expected to go up in the future. If you want to pay less, you should plan on living somewhere besides Auckland.

Working In New Zealand

Advantage #1 – All People Are Treated Equally

In New Zealand, everyone is treated as an equal. Class, in the traditional sense, doesn’t come into play. Everyone is valued for who they are – not for how much money they make or their position in society. People are more focused on really getting to know one another than on trying to impress each other by dressing up in the latest designer clothes.

Disadvantage #1 – It May Be Difficult To Find A Job

Because relatively few people live in New Zealand, jobs are in short supply. In fact, a lot of native New Zealanders are forced to move to Australia to find work. Artists, in particular, may have trouble making a go of it in this part of the world since there are limited customers to buy their work. If you’re interested in work as a midwife however, this may be an exception according to Cavendish.

So, as you can see there are many pros and cons of life in NZ – you have to decide what’s right for you.