Starting Life in Auckland from Scratch: Real Insights and Tips After One Year
Hello everyone! ✨ A year ago, I came to New Zealand with dreams and a bit of nervousness, and now I’ve settled down in this “Land of the Long White Cloud”! Today, I want to share my real experiences and some tips, hoping to provide some reference for those planning to immigrate.
🌈 First Time in New Zealand: Things No One Told You
The moment I got off the plane, the unreal blue sky amazed me!
But what followed was a strong sense of unfamiliarity. In the first few weeks, I was “challenging” myself every day: spending 40 minutes in the supermarket looking for soy sauce (it’s really not in the condiment section!)
Struggling to understand the Kiwi accent (they really swallow their words too much)
Learning to drive on the left (I almost went into the wrong lane three times in the first week 😂)
💡 Tip: Join Chinese groups in New Zealand in advance, seek help anytime; download TradeMe and Countdown APP, they are essential for life!
🏠 Housing: From Renting to Buying
Renting is the first hurdle, completely different from back home! I looked at 12 places before deciding:
Auckland central apartment weekly rent is about $450-600
Suburban house weekly rent $550-700, but with its own small yard
💡 Tip: It’s important to prepare your credit record in advance, bank statements and employment proof are very important; you can look for housing on TradeMe and Facebook rental groups.
💼 Work and Career: How to Find Your Ideal Job in New Zealand
The workplace culture is really friendly! But job hunting also has its challenges:
Local experience is very important (the chicken or the egg dilemma)
Resumes and interview styles are completely different from China
🍃 Quality of Life: New Zealand Really Embraces Slow Living, But There Are Also Troubles
Good aspects:
Air and water quality are unbelievably good
Work-life balance, 9-to-5 is the norm
Free healthcare (but be patient waiting)
Beautiful scenery everywhere, just a short drive to stunning beaches on weekends
Not so good:
Prices are really high (an avocado $3.
5, a cup of coffee $5.5)
Limited choices (I miss Taobao and food delivery so much!)
Dampness issues in houses during winter
👨👩👧👦 Family and Education: Why It’s Suitable for Raising Children Here
New Zealand’s education system places great emphasis on children’s individual development:
Creativity and outdoor activities are encouraged from kindergarten
Public schools generally have good quality
University education is highly recognized internationally
🔍 Practical Immigration Guide: My Timeline and Cost Sharing
I applied through the skilled migration pathway, the whole process took about 18 months:
6 months preparation before EOI submission (job assessment + IELTS)
4 months waiting from EOI to ITA
8 months from application to approval
Total cost was about xx RMB (including agent, notarization, medical check, etc.
🔍 The Questions You Care About Most
I’m eager to hear from you! Drop your most pressing immigration questions in the comments below, and I’ll dive deep into them in my next post. Are you curious about:
– Navigating the nuances of specific immigration pathways?
– Mastering the IELTS exam with top-notch preparation tips?
– Exploring the unique lifestyles of different cities in New Zealand?
– Understanding the policies for reuniting with your parents in a new country?
Your input is invaluable, so let me know what you want to learn more about! #AucklandLife #ImmigrationExperienceSharing #ChineseInNewZealand #SkilledMigration #OverseasProperty #SlowLiving #NewZealandEducation
