- Have you moved from the UK to purchase a home overseas? Contact freya.barnes@mailonline.co.uk
Thanks to the allure of higher salaries, reduced expenses, and beautiful coastlines, it’s little surprise that British people are showing interest. New Zealand For their major international expansion.
It has now become simpler since the government eased regulations, permitting foreigners to work remotely for an overseas employer during visits lasting up to 90 days—this duration may be prolonged to as long as nine months.
It proved extremely enticing for Robert Eaton along with his spouse Sabrina, as they had been residing in Chippenham, Wiltshire, over the last six years during which he was employed there. Vodafone .
Robert comes from Essex, but his work in the telecommunications sector has led him to reside in different places. Taiwan , China , the Philippines and Europe.
He encountered Sabrina, who was 47 years old, in Jakarta, and they decided to attempt cohabitation. Singapore , Sydney and spent six months in Auckland in 2017 because of his work.
However, the 46-year-old actor felt quite isolated during his last assignment at Vodafone since his colleagues were based in Europe while he was working remotely from home. As a result, he only half-heartedly applied for a position in New Zealand.
The deal was attractive. When we relocated last year, my gross salary in the UK matched what I earned in New Zealand after taxes, he explained to The Telegraph.
Previously, the couple had traveled to New Zealand for vacation and became enamored with 'the landscape, the customs, and the locals.'
Upon completing the assignment, Robert and Sabrina gathered all their possessions and placed them in a 20-foot shipping container, which they then dispatched to their new residence in Whangaparāoa on the Hibiscus Coast, located north of Auckland, at a cost of £10,000.
They added an additional £1,000 for insurance and spent another £2,000 to fly their cat over.
New Zealand emerged from a downturn towards the end of last year; however, the unemployment rate stayed steady at 5.1 percent—this contrasts with Australia’s 4.1 percent and the UK’s 4.4 percent.
A significant number of people from New Zealand have migrated to Australia seeking better employment prospects, with approximately 72,000 individuals departing for Australia within the year leading up to December 2024, as reported by their government.
However, New Zealand's skill gap makes it simpler to find employment in fields like education, healthcare, engineering, and cybersecurity.
Despite being able to make additional income in the same position in Australia, Robert and Sabrina felt less content there and remarked that 'it lacked warmth'.
The sole drawback the couple noticed upon arriving at their new residence was that the expense of daily life wasn’t quite as budget-friendly as they might have been led to expect.
"We adored the location — the Whangaparāoan Peninsula boasts gorgeous beaches all around — however, we were taken aback by the exorbitant cost of homes," he stated.
Leasing a four-bedroom home approximately 25 miles away from Auckland sets them back NZ$850 per week (£375).
They might have selected a more modest newly constructed home in the region for £310 (NZ$700), yet they decided on a larger property with extensive gardens and ocean vistas, which came at a higher price of approximately £554,000 (NZ$1.25m).
Robert now travels by bus to Auckland daily, while Sabrina searches for a job in recruitment.
Sabrina, who hails from Malaysia, shared her thoughts: "I am optimistic that the market will improve, however, in New Zealand, connections play a crucial role. Therefore, establishing oneself requires patience. Nonetheless, she appreciates the stronger sense of community."
The cost of living is less expensive compared to the UK, where groceries amount to about £243 ($550) monthly. Other expenses include broadband charges ranging from £22 to £44 ($50-$100), water services for around £44 ($100), electricity costs approximately £75 ($170), gas comes to roughly £35 ($80), and telephone bills fall between £18 to £29 ($40-$65).
Gasoline is less expensive in New Zealand, and dining out is also more budget-friendly, with a speedy lunch in Auckland typically costing between £6 and £8 per person, and a cup of coffee priced at approximately £2.21 ($5).
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