When I first moved abroad, I expected challenges, new culture, new systems, even new weather. But I wasn’t fully prepared for how many things actually got easier. If you’re considering relocating, here are some unexpected perks I’ve discovered while living in New Zealand:
1. Visa Power: UNLOCKED
Living in a country like New Zealand boosts your chances when applying for visas to the US, UK, Canada, or Schengen countries. You don’t even need to be a resident, just living in NZ makes your application seem more stable and credible, especially compared to applying from Nigeria.
⚠️ Quick warning: Many embassies require proof that you’ve lived in your new country for at least 6 months before you can apply from there. That means showing rental agreements, payslips, or utility bills. So take your time, settle in, and then apply.
2. Travel Made Easy
New Zealand is only, at mininum, a 3-hour flight from Australia and offers budget-friendly access to destinations like Bali, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Fiji, Thailand, even Canada and United States of America. Suddenly, international travel doesn’t mean a year of planning! You will still need to apply to a lot of embassies, especially if you hold my kind of passport, but it’ll no longer be just a once-a-year dream.
3. Earning in a Stronger Currency
Salaries in New Zealand are paid in NZD, a much stronger currency than the naira. So, being paid in New Zealand dollars means your money stretches further when converting to naira (or other currencies). Even a small freelance gig can become significant back home. So, whether you’re saving, investing, or just sending money back home, the exchange rate works in your favour.
4. Freedom to Move, Explore, and Start Over
Want to live by the beach this month and in the mountains next year? You can. Want to move cities? Try a different apartment? No family council meetings needed. You can change your environment as often as you want, with little red tape or judgment. The rental market is flexible, and there’s less pressure to “settle” immediately. No extended family drama, just you and your preferences.
5. Healthcare Access
New Zealand’s healthcare system offers both public and private options. You can book a doctor’s appointment without a middleman or needing to “know someone.” Many services are subsidized or fully covered. One of the most underrated perks of living in New Zealand is the ability to receive actual medical care when you need it. From routine checkups to specialist referrals and subsidised treatments, you have access to a healthcare system that works, no backdoor favours or unrealistic costs.
Whether it’s getting mental health support, seeing a physiotherapist, or accessing long-term medication, the system is designed to support you, even if you’re not wealthy. The key is to speak up without fear and shame.
If you don’t say it, how will they know?
6. New Hobbies and a Healthier Lifestyle
From weekend hikes to kayaking adventures, New Zealand makes nature and outdoor activities part of your regular life. Living in NZ introduced me to an outdoorsy lifestyle I didn’t even know I needed. It’s not just about staying fit, it’s about reconnecting with the world around you.
7. Safety First
There’s a level of peace that comes from not constantly watching your back. Leaving your bag at a café table, walking home late, or trusting your neighbors, these are everyday things here. You start to take peace of mind for granted, until you visit somewhere else and remember what it’s like to clutch your bag 24/7.
Final Thoughts
Yes, moving abroad comes with its own learning curves: homesickness (whew, tell me about it!), cultural adjustments, and the emotional weight of starting over. But it also opens new doors, gives you access to better systems, and offers the opportunity to design a life that truly works for you.
And always remember that last part: you can become who you’ve always wanted to be. I’m not talking about going rogue or becoming someone unrecognisable. I mean doing the normal but beautiful things that may have been laughed at back home – drawing, doing science experiments, hosting a podcast, acting, singing, teaching, trying new things. The kind of things that once made you light up inside, even if others didn’t get it.
Sometimes, all it takes is a new environment to give yourself permission to evolve. And if your current circle mocks your growth or curiosity? Change the circle. Surround yourself with people who cheer when you try, not just when you succeed. Because “had I known” is a heavy feeling, trust me, I’ve carried it more than once. Most times, it stemmed from forgetting my why and letting people-pleasing take the wheel. But not anymore.
So here’s your reminder: you’re allowed to reinvent yourself. To start again. To try that thing. And to do it boldly. Thinking of moving abroad? Ask yourself this: “What if it actually works out?”
If you enjoyed this post, share it with someone thinking of relocating, and drop your own life-abroad wins in the comments!
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