20 Pros And Cons Of Living In New Zealand (Expat Advice)

New Zealand is one of the more unique nations on the planet.

It’s friendly, unique, and it is one of those places people might not think about when wanting to live abroad.

However, there are plenty of positives with moving to New Zealand and it should be an option you keep in mind. This could be the right place for you depending on what you covet from a country as an expat.

The positives of living in New Zealand include the friendly society, gorgeous natural beauty, diverse community, and good weather.

We find these positives to help those who want to make sure they are residing in a place that is in line with their priorities.

To dive deeper into this subject, here are the benefits and drawbacks of moving to New Zealand.

Pros Of Living In New Zealand

Diverse Community

We will start with the diversity in New Zealand.

Yes, there are pockets of racism within the society but that’s common in most regions of the world. However, on the whole, New Zealand is known for being inclusive, easy-going, and ideal for those who are moving from other countries.

We found the nation to be exceptional, especially in the major cities.

Friendly People

When looking at a nation, you want to focus on the people.

These are the people you are going to see every day and it’s essential to get a read on them. For the most part, New Zealand is known for its friendliness.

You are going to be dealing with friendly people that are more than happy to help out and be kind. This is what makes them stand out as people when you get to meet them.

Gorgeous Sights

The natural beauty is exceptional in New Zealand.

You will notice this immediately.

Whether it’s the coastline, greenery, or wildlife, there is so much on offer here and it is going to take a lifetime to see it all.

This natural beauty is intriguing for those who are outdoorsy and want to be closer to the natural elements of the planet.

Good Weather

The weather is good throughout the year in New Zealand.

There are bursts of bad weather and it can get hot during the summertime but it is not going to be unpleasant.

You will enjoy the weather and it will add to your experience as time goes on in New Zealand.

Decent Job Market

The job market is one of those elements that you do need to think about if you are not a retiree.

If you are moving as a younger person to New Zealand, you have to analyze the job market in greater detail.

The number of major companies in the country is not as high as it should be. You will have to stay closer to the city centers but there are jobs available due to the reduced population. It will come down to your skill set.

Safe

We find this to be one of the safest nations on the planet.

The crime rate is not high and it is well-managed from top to bottom. Due to the general nature of the society, it is not common for crime to occur in the region.

They do a good job of policing the streets, which helps manage criminal activity in New Zealand.

Good Quality Of Life

The quality of life is excellent.

As a first-world country, living in New Zealand is a breath of fresh air. The quality of life is great across the board whether it has to do with housing, crime, and amenities.

The planning has been done the right where in this country.

Great Food

Most people don’t focus on food options when they are moving to New Zealand but it is world-class in this regard.

The major cities are full of top-grade restaurants, cafes, and more.

You are going to have endless options for good food here and that does bode well for those who are foodies.

Good For Retirees

One of the pros of moving to New Zealand would be its retirement setup.

Since it has a low crime rate and the people are friendly, you will have a much easier time retiring here. Plus, the weather is good and you can enjoy your time outdoors.

It also is quieter, which is often a good thing for seniors.

Great Education System

If you are moving to New Zealand with a family, it is essential to think about the education system in greater detail.

We find the education system in New Zealand to be world-class.

They have thought of everything and this is key when it comes to your children.

Not A Litigious Society

Lawsuits are not common in New Zealand.

While the legal system is strong and fair, it is not a litigious society. It is uncommon for people to file lawsuits to get at others.

Cons Of Living In New Zealand

Can Become Boring

Now, it’s time to look at the disadvantages of living in New Zealand.

One of the cons of living in New Zealand would have to do with how boring its nightlife is. The nightlife is not as strong in this part of the world, which can be boring for those who are younger or looking to have a bit of fun.

The major cities do a better job of this but it is still not at the level you would want it to be.

Expensive Housing

If you are thinking about buying a house in New Zealand, you will need to save up.

It is pricey.

There are limited options, which is not good for those who are hoping to get a good deal. Due to the reduced number of properties in New Zealand, you will have to be careful about how much you are spending on a house.

Hard To Build Businesses

This is not a capitalist society.

This means you are not going to have good advantages for building a business in New Zealand. There are taxes that are hard to deal with and it is not a society that is known for splurging.

This means getting a business up and running is not as easy as it should be.

Isolated Nation

New Zealand is known for being isolated.

This can be a good and bad thing.

For the most part, it is a bad thing because an isolated nation does not get good deals on imports and that makes everything far more expensive than it needs to be.

Known For Skin Cancer

The ozone layer plays a part in human health.

It is quite thin in this part of the world, which is not good for a person’s health. It is common for the skin cancer rate to be higher in places such as New Zealand, which is not good for those who are prone to this condition.

Salaries Get Capped Quickly

Your salary is going to get capped quickly, which is not a good thing for those who are motivated by money and want to earn as much as possible.

You are not going to see eye-popping salaries here unless the job demands it.

This is due to the lack of competition, which ends up harming those who want a higher income.

Hard To Travel

When you are in an isolated nation such as this, it is a lot harder to travel.

When you live in New Zealand, you are going to be far away from most countries on the planet other than Australia.

This means you have to pay a premium to go wherever you want to go.

Unsturdy Housing

The housing is known for not being as robust as it needs to be.

This leads to long-term issues and you have to be careful about the type of house you are buying in New Zealand.

The wrong type of property can lead to major repair issues later.

Extreme Heat In The Summer

While the weather is known for being mostly pleasant in New Zealand, this does not mean it’s all good in the country.

It does get hot in the summer.

This leads to extremes where there are bouts of heat that are hard to deal with. You need to be prepared for this as someone moving to New Zealand.

Final Thoughts

Before moving to New Zealand, we recommend going through these advantages and disadvantages of living in New Zealand to better understand your options.

For the most part, New Zealand is a great place to move to and retire in. It is quiet, comfortable, friendly, and has loads of natural sights to look at.

We also recommend going through other guides such as the experience of living in Oregon, the experience of living in Texas, and the experience of living in Spain.