https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/...ding-to-survey

“The cost of living is too high here in comparison to the salaries,” one survey respondent from Botswana said, while another expat from India pointed out the “growing divide between the rich and poor”.

Hardly think someone from Botswana or India is speaking for the majority of 'expats' .......

Stunningly high number of expats surveyed....... "more than 12,500 expats from around the world" so its clearly very representative!!

The wagons are circling round...

In 2024 survey, NZ moved to the 31 place, but still not so good:
https://www.internations.org/expat-i...r-expats-40450

https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/1...re-nzers-leave

It seems very strange that some of the falls have been so dramatic - "New to the list are Finland (from 16th to 51st and thus the biggest loser of the survey), Canada (27th to 49th)" and all in one year? Really?
I think other surveys contradict much of what this one claims.

I moved to NZ in 20024 and stayed long enough to become a PR and get my IRRV there so can return at any point I want. I left and moved to the US via some time time in Ireland and the UK between.

Cost of living vs. salary / Auckland traffic were my drivers for leaving. Part of that also hinges on what job you have. I have expat friends who remained there but had jobs that could take them out of Auckland and are very happy, but I think these are much harder to find. The other big issue is the cost / time to get anywhere. It’s a 24h+ trip back to the UK/EU, vs an overnight flight from the east coast.

I can live and work in 30 or so countries without a visa tomorrow and choose US/NYC and have remained here.

Most of NZ outside of Auckland is amazing (as a “big city” it’s is not great). I visited more on holidays back there than I ever did while I was living there. There are a couple of spots like bay of islands that are easy at weekends, but the price of gas (petrol) makes that kind of frequent / short trip way more expensive than the US. I could not afford a house in Auckland and a batch when I was in NZ, but was easily able to buy a lake house house 1h north of me in CT here that has access to both the lake and a ski hill for the kids to learn.

If you rephrase the title it makes sense - replace “expat” with “economic migrant” and it’s make sense.