Discovering the Unexpected Joys: Why Life in Queenstown is Far from Boring
It’s not that I don’t adore the breathtaking landscapes or the laid-back, healthy lifestyle. During my first two years, I was an avid skier, hiker, and camper, eagerly exploring as much of the South Island as I could within the limited time. I became utterly enamored with the Queenstown way of life and thought I would never want to leave.
This year, however, things feel different. After two years in Queenstown, I’ve begun to see beyond the surface and grasp the deeper essence of life here. This shift in perspective has made me acutely aware that, at its core, it is a rural setting. The Fergburger incident also highlighted my long-held impression of Queenstown as being “very white.”
It’s not that I don’t appreciate nature or that my life lacks enjoyment. It’s just that over time, the enchantment through which I viewed this place has started to wane. I find myself questioning the value of enduring the highest cost of living in New Zealand, residing in a peripheral area without a rich community culture, and almost losing my sense of self.
The food desert here, with its lack of variety and exorbitant prices—like a $23 bowl of beef noodles—has become tiresome. The limited selection of fruits and vegetables, the once-cherished supermarket shopping, the familiar faces going to the same places and doing the same things with the same excitement, and the daily traffic jams on the only lakeside road have all taken their toll.
I understand that the essence of daily life is repetition, but I still can’t come to terms with it. My adult life has always been about movement, flow, and exploration, following a 2-3 year cycle. I love every place I’ve lived, but I also grow weary of the routine, always looking forward to the next adventure.
I feel the urge to run even before completing the residency requirement, yet I worry that the progress of these years will be for naught. I even forget the meaning of obtaining a resident visa. I yearn for new journeys and a fresh start. There’s no remedy for this restlessness.
