New Zealand is one of the world’s best places
to live in, best place to raise your family. It has a very pleasant climate, great beaches,
a wide variety of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, health care, a good educational
system, economic freedom... If you're thinking of moving to New Zealand,
and you’re really not sure where you want to settle. Here're the 10 best places to live in New
Zealand. 10. Waikato. Located in the central North Island, the region
of Waikato is a very fertile one in agricultural terms, and also a fertile ground for recent
city migrators going in search of more affordable housing options. Property in Waikato’s towns such as Hamilton,
continues to be far more affordable than in its main city of Auckland. There are increasing employment prospects
across the region as well as decent educational facilities,
making it a good area to consider for families interested in relocating abroad. Your kids can enjoy the Hamilton Zoo, Hamilton
Gardens, the Waikato Museum, or try something more active like walking tracks, Waterworld,
or kayaking. 9. Nelson. Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of
Tasman Bay. It's known for local arts and crafts stores,
and art galleries. Living in Nelson puts families within easy
reach of just about everything they could ever want. Kids do well at Nelson schools, with high
levels of National Standard achievement and university entrance qualification levels. The climate is New Zealand’s sunniest, and
there’s plenty to do with all that sunshine: parks and reserves, beaches, and you're just
a short hop from Wellington. Unemployment levels are extremely low in Nelson;
this is a safe and secure environment where kids can enjoy an enviable outdoor lifestyle. 8. Selwyn. Selwyn district is a predominantly rural area
in central Canterbury, on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. Your kids can get an excellent education in
Selwyn, while you can buy a relatively affordable house that leaves you close enough to Christchurch
to enjoy most of its big-city benefits. Selwyn has high-quality amenities for families,
like swimming pools, reserves, skate parks, and many playgrounds. Like all of Canterbury, educational achievement
standards are high and employment levels are high. 7. Queenstown. Queenstown is a desirable place to raise a
family. Children raised around Queenstown can enjoy
an enviable year-round access to world-class attractions and sporting venues, especially
the ski fields and mountain biking. Of all the places to live in the whole of
the country, there is perhaps nowhere else that encapsulates the stark beauty, extreme
outdoors lifestyle and colourful Kiwi culture like Queenstown. It’s one of those rare places in the world
that never ceases to take your breath away on a daily basis, no matter how long you live
there. 6. Christchurch. Christchurch is the second-largest city in
New Zealand, and so, it is a viable option to live and work abroad rather than those
just looking for a retirement paradise. The climate is excellent, the educational
and social facilities are fabulous, and among the majority of residents, a perfect blend
of working and relaxing is achieved. If you need city life at a bargain price,
Christchurch is for you with its lower rent and overall cost of life compared to Wellington
and Auckland. Christchurch is also famous for its culture
and history as well, making it an excellent place to live for families, and a really lovely
place to consider living in New Zealand. 5. Rotorua. Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on
New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. The first thing you’ll notice about the
Rotorua area is the smell. Yes, it’s a little whiffy and of the egg
variety, but you’ll soon get used to that. Not only is there a host of things to keep
you busy, but Rotorua is also one of the cheapest cities to live in New Zealand. When you think that this great spot is only
a three-hour drive from Auckland, just down the road from Taupo and a few hours from skiing
at Mount Ruapehu, you’re really going to want for nothing. 4. Auckland. Auckland is a major city in the north of New
Zealand’s North Island. It's a city unlike any other. With incredible natural wonders on the doorstep
of a world-class city, Auckland is the perfect destination. Near downtown, Mission Bay Beach has a seaside
promenade. Auckland is one of the best places to live
on this versatile island, - and Auckland’s charms are evident. The fact that it is the biggest city in the
country means that there is always something happening, it’s mind-bogglingly expensive
if you’re looking to buy a house. 3. Dunedin. A relaxing pace of life and low crime levels
make Dunedin a great place for kids, especially those who love native wildlife:
kayak with seals, walk with penguins and see the Royal Albatrosses. The city of Dunedin is great for employment
and education. You’ll find cheaper housing, a laid back
lifestyle, friendly local citizens. Hiking and cycling trails crisscross the dramatic
landscape of the adjoining Otago Peninsula, home to colonies of albatross, sea lions,
and rare yellow-eyed penguins. The climate in this part of New Zealand is
not the best, there are still huge variations all across the region. 2. Taranaki. It’s the lure of the ocean and mountain
that call many people to this west coast region. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki,
its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park. The port city of New Plymouth is the area's
hub. It hosts green spaces like Pukekura Park,
with lakes and formal gardens that grow rhododendrons and king ferns. The fact that you can snowboard in the morning,
and surf in the afternoon during the winter months is one of the chief appeals for the
locals. There’s also the fact that the Taranaki
locals are notoriously lovely, and that there are heaps of things to do outdoors. 1. Wellington. The nation’s capital is also one of the
country’s most popular and much-loved places to live. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront
promenade, sandy beaches, parks, reserves and colorful timber houses on surrounding
hills. Wellington combines big-city sophistication
with tight-knit community living and superb educational opportunities. Wellington has excellent public transport,
some of the best cafes, bars and restaurants anywhere in the country, and an incredible
nightlife and music culture. If you are moving to live in New Zealand and
you’re really not sure where you want to settle,
Auckland can be a great place to begin, you can rent accommodation easily within the city
and it has fantastic transport links for the rest of the nation. But be sure to use these transport links,
explore the North and South Islands and find the location
that best suits you before you buy a home or even commit to living in New Zealand full
time.
