Are you looking to emigrate to New Zealand from US? The two countries are quite different in lots of ways. While the American dream is more about prosperity and success, New Zealand life is more focussed on friendliness, relaxation and living in harmony.
We compare some aspects of living in the two nations to help you decide if moving to New Zealand from US should be part of your bucket list.
Climate
The first thing a US citizen moving to New Zealand will notice is the moderate climate, unlike the extremes you have to endure in some regions of the USA.
Moving to New Zealand from US means you can enjoy a healthier outdoor lifestyle throughout the year.
Scenic Beauty
If you emigrate to New Zealand from USA, following the eastern bar-tailed Godwit that flies from Alaska (USA) to NZ every year, you will get to enjoy the entire beauty of an entire country concentrated in an area of Colorado’s size.
USA has beautiful scenery too, but you have to travel to experience it.
Subsidised Healthcare
As a US citizen moving to New Zealand, you will be surprised at the abundance of services covered by subsidised healthcare. This is nothing like the US healthcare system, where practically everyone is forced to carry health insurance.
For instance, if you suffer injury in an accident, all medical expenses are borne by the ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) – the US has nothing similar to offer.
Safety
When you emigrate to New Zealand from USA, you will notice the antipathy NZ residents generally have toward guns. Compare this with the USA where the second amendment of the constitution makes carrying firearms a fundamental right for the citizens.
2019 Global Peace Index rated New Zealand as the world’s 2nd safest country while the USA was placed at the 128th position. So, a US citizen moving to New Zealand is also getting to a much safer place.
Living Costs
When you emigrate to New Zealand from USA, you will appreciate the lower cost of living. Looking at Mercer’s 2019 Cost of Living Survey of the biggest cities in the world, New York was placed 9th, LA 18th while Chicago ranked 37th.
In comparison, Auckland, which is New Zealand’s biggest city, was 89th while the capital city of Wellington was placed 114th.
So, moving to New Zealand from US means you can do more with your money.
Visa Options
If you are between 18-30 years old, you can get a Working Holiday Visa to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months.
You also have the option of availing a Work Visa to stay and work in New Zealand for a specific period – you may even have the option to gain residency after you’ve spent some time in the country on a qualifying Work to Residence Visa.
Skilled Migrant Category Visa is also a great option to emigrate to New Zealand from USA – this resident visa allows you access to government-funded programs and public services.
If you have the finances to qualify for a business visa, you would love to check out the trade links the country has in place with the USA. In fact, USA is the 3rd largest importer of New Zealand’s goods and services, after China and Australia.
All this must entice you to give serious thought to moving to New Zealand from US.
Immigration Advisers NZ is a team of Auckland-based immigration experts providing all kinds of New Zealand visa and immigration services. You can count on our experience and expertise to help you choose the best path to emigrate to New Zealand from USA. We offer personalized solutions to help you maximize the potential of your stay in New Zealand.
Book a 100% free consultation and see how we can make moving to New Zealand from US a hassle-free experience for you.