New Zealand Living Guide

At a time when Britain is on the brink of bringing in further tax increases and we’re witnessing a surge in the numbers of enquiries from British readers contemplating a move abroad, one nation has gone all out to win over the highest skilled, most wealthy migrants – namely New Zealand.

The nation has already proven that it has weathered the economic fall out from the global financial crisis well, and now it wants to cash in on the brain drain evident in nations like the UK.  How better to catch those who want to escape excessive taxation and massive government spending cuts than by introducing personal income tax cuts and new investment based visas, one of which that doesn’t even have an upper age limit.

These benefits are in addition to the fact that English is the main language in New Zealand, business, legal and educational standards are similar to our own in the UK, the climate is decent, the landscape is stunning and the lifestyle opportunities are second to none.  So, if you’re looking for a way out of the higher taxes that Britain is about to be hit with, why not move abroad and live in New Zealand and enjoy a lower tax lifestyle?

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The most recent survey by the Centre for Future Studies, carried out for NatWest International Personal Banking Division into the quality of life enjoyed by British expatriates living abroad, has revealed that there has been an increase in the number of Britons stating that the grass really is greener overseas.  I.e., 92% of those surveyed stated that the experience of living abroad exceeded their expectations.

1,306 non-resident Britons were surveyed in America, Australia, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, the UAE – and New Zealand…so, our focus today is on whether you too could potentially enjoy a better quality of life specifically in New Zealand.  After all, New Zealand was the nation focused upon by so many Britons for so long prior to the start of the recession, and today we have news to suggest that the recession is over in that part of the world.

With the jobless rate having dramatically fallen and now lying well below economists’ predictions, would now be a good time to contemplate a move to New Zealand?  As a nation could it offer you a better quality of life?  From what we’ve discovered, opinion is quite strongly divided.

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The media has presented a completely divided opinion about New Zealand recently, with many choosing to focus on the fact that it is a top choice with professional migrants because of the way of life, standard of living and level of opportunities available.  Whilst others in the media have been giving column space to the stories of those who have made the move to New Zealand and really regretted it…

So, we decided it was perhaps time to hear from someone who has made the move, and court their opinion about their relocation experience to New Zealand.  After all, if you want to relocate to a given country, there is no one better to speak to or hear from than someone who has been through the entire process already!

To that end, the following is the first hand account of Giles and Alexa Smallwood’s move to start a brand new life living and working in New Zealand.  If you are looking for inspiration you will likely find it in this very full account of one couple’s major move and life changing emigration from the United Kingdom to go and live in New Zealand…

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