New Zealand

New Zealand is two islands of mountains, fjords and a very calm routine: Auckland provides the jobs, Wellington and Christchurch a measured city life. Housing, fuel and imports are expensive, salaries are decent, and the rise in rents over recent years is felt. The climate is mild and changeable: summer from December to February, frost-free northern winters and snow in the southern mountains. The visa takes preparation, and the drawbacks are remoteness, expensive flights and a narrow job market outside the main cities.