Discovering the Truth: My Life in New Zealand Post-Immigration vs. Xiaohongshu Reviews

When I first arrived in New Zealand, I was under the impression that it would be exactly as depicted online. However, after a prolonged stay, I realized that New Zealand is truly remarkable.

🐑 Stage 1: Initial Feelings
Two words to summarize: Boring
▪️I moved to New Zealand to pursue my master’s degree and eventually obtained residency. In the early years, I was without my family and partner, which made my free time feel incredibly lonely and monotonous. Every day, I contemplated returning home after completing my studies and never setting foot in this place again.

▪️Cooking was a mystery to me, there was no food delivery service, and the nightlife was non-existent. Convenience stores and supermarkets closed early, so I often found myself waking up in the middle of the night to whip up a quick snack (my only requirement being that it should be edible). The solitude of cooking and eating alone at midnight is a feeling only those who have experienced it can truly understand.

▪️The transportation here pales in comparison to that in China. In China, high-speed trains are ubiquitous, but here, there are no subways, and if you don’t want to take the train, your only option is to drive. Driving from Queenstown to Auckland takes at least 20 hours. In China, I rarely took the train because it was too tiring.

🐑 Stage 2: Feelings After Employment
▪️Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown older, and with more time spent here, I’ve built my own social circle, and gradually, I’ve come to appreciate the life here.
▪️Work is not highly competitive, and although the salary isn’t as high as in Australia, it’s sufficient to live comfortably.

Even small companies offer annual leave and other benefits. The work environment is relaxed, and the salary is adequate. After work, it’s all about family time, and overtime is a rarity. You can take leave whenever you need it without worrying about your boss’s reaction.
▪️During holidays, you can easily go out, drive, and take your family along.

There’s no need to worry about long queues or crowds, and you don’t have to stress about not being able to buy tickets for the return trip. You don’t need to make reservations for scenic spots, and the experience is seamless and enjoyable.

In my opinion, New Zealand is ideal for individuals who are mentally resilient and mature, and who have a deep love for nature and outdoor activities. It’s also perfect for those with a zest for life, who can develop many hobbies to fill their time and maintain a rich and independent spiritual life.

Additional: Some friends asked in my previous post how I managed to get New Zealand residency. I’ll add that here. I completed my master’s degree here, and after graduation, I obtained residency through the Green List. (At the time, I could have also gone with a 6-point system, but the Green List was more advantageous, so I chose that route.) I won’t go into too much detail here (to avoid any censorship issues), but if you want to know more, feel free to ask me.