this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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US Immigrant looking for advice (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 5 months ago by mjsaber@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/newzealand@lemmy.nz
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Hi, apologies if this isn't allowed. I'm a US citizen looking to move to NZ. I have all the technical stuff taken care of, just waiting on my documents to be processed and approved.

Basically I am looking for groups I can reach out to to help me get build a social group, and hear what others think about different areas of the country. I am LGBTQ, so it seems like Auckland or Wellington will be my best bet. If I'm in a big city, I would prefer not to have a car.

I'm a nurse, and it looks like salaries are good but not great (between 70-90k/year is what I seem to be finding).

Is this reasonable? Is NZ easy to settle into? Any other expats that can offer advice? Am I going to be broke all the time (I also have a cat I am bringing unless I am physically unable to)?

I did some research prior to applying, but I find more and more opposing views on where the country is headed. I guess I am just looking for some folks that had a similar situation to see how it worked out for them. I had a fair bit of options in where I could go, but the culture in New Zealand just seemed like the best fit. Thanks for taking the time to read or reply.

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[–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 8 points 5 months ago (10 children)

but I find more and more opposing views on where the country is headed

We happen to have a conservative government right now. This means that stuff you read online will have a recency bias to criticism of them. Our "right" is still well-left of the US "left" though. They're still dicks though.

Am I going to be broke all the time?

It's expensive here. Especially housing. You'll probably need to find a flat. That's probably just easier when moving country anyway.

I am LGBTQ, so it seems like Auckland or Wellington will be my best bet. If I’m in a big city, I would prefer not to have a car

Good choices, either will be good. Wellington is a little more liberal than Auckland, Auckland is considerably bigger in every way.

Public transport is just good enough that you can just survive without a car. It'll restrict where you can live and work though to areas that are well served by PT.

You'll be welcome here!

[–] mjsaber@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 5 months ago

Thanks for the reply. Wellington seems to be the better of the two options from most replies I've gotten so far. And yes, as an American my expectations for public services and politics are very low, so I imagine I will be at least content with what's out there.

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