Relocating to New Zealand
A growing number of people are considering moving internationally. Whether it has always been a dream of theirs, or for political or religious reasons, the amount of people that move overseas is growing by the year. When Americans do move, typically it is to Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, or India, but there are other countries that should be considered if you are open to the idea of assimilating to a new culture. One of these countries is New Zealand. Not much is known about this beautiful country other than it is next to Australia and was the setting for the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the fact is, it has a beautiful landscape, with a low cost of living, and a small but friendly population. Here are some things that New Zealand has to offer.
The first thing to look at is the cost of living is quite low there. While you may not be making as much money in New Zealand as you are in America, your dollar will stretch a lot further there. This is due to the fact that taxes are very low there, and the land is cheap and available. The average New Zealand resident only pays a 17.5% tax rate, with no social security or inheritance tax. This is different from America where the average middle class worker may pay anywhere from 20-30% of their paycheck into taxes and retirement. Furthermore, the population of the country is very small, which means that there is a lot of land available for purchase at a cheap rate. Gas and restaurant prices are also much lower here than most of the rest of the world.
Another factor that favors New Zealand is the overall happiness of the population. The housing is affordable, the crime rate is low, the schools are high quality, the weather is great, and there is less of a class gap as compared to many other industrialized countries. This all leads to a population that is very happy, and is more willing to allow immigrants into their land. The weather is very temperate with temperatures ranging from 50 to 60 degrees F. Now this can change depending on which part of the country you are living, but the changes are not too drastic. The dramatic landscape allows for a lot of activities for people to engage in, and the scenery is quite breathtaking. Last, the population of the entire country is around 4.5 million people, less than the city of Chicago, so you will not feel cramped.
To expand on the wonderful landscape of New Zealand, you will be able to find beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, mountains, and subtropical forests, all located within the borders of the country. The wildlife there is also plentiful and has a number of species that are unique to the area such as the kiwi. There are also more penguin species here than any other place in the world, including Antarctica. However, if you are more of a city person, there is still plenty for you as well. The city of Auckland has a rich urban life, and has a population of one million people. It is known as the city of sails as many of the residents there own a boat that they use to sail the local waters. No matter what way of life you enjoy, New Zealand has an area that can suit your needs. Remember one of the keys to a successful life is being happy with who you are and your place in the world. The simple fact remains that no other country can do happiness quite like New Zealand.
