13 Best Places To Live In New Zealand

New Zealand has become a popular country for expats to relocate to due to the high standard of living offered in the country. The natural landscape provides ample opportunity for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or climbing.

We’ll take a look at the best places to live in New Zealand for work, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in New Zealand.

Sections

Best Places To Live In New Zealand

City	Reason
Auckland	Best for work
Christchurch	Best for affordability
Wellington	Best for families
Auckland, Howick	Best for immigrants
Dunedin	Best for retirement
Queenstown	Best for young adults
Auckland, Parnell	Best for students
Wellington and Auckland	Best for food and nightlife
Dunedin, Saint Clair	Best for singles
Auckland	Best for the LGBT+ community
Christchurch	Best for the weather
Auckland	Best for beaches
Queenstown	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Work

Auckland is located in the north of New Zealand’s north island and is based around two large harbours. It’s most famous for its diverse and varied cuisine as well as offering residents good weather, a range of outdoor activities and a range of different options when it comes to picking the most relevant neighbourhood.

The most well-known job industries in New Zealand are manufacturing, IT industries, and construction. The job market in Auckland is very active and salaries can be greater than in Brisbane or Melbourne.

Those who are looking to teach English are also likely to find plenty of job opportunities.

Another great city for those looking for work is Wellington, which is New Zealand’s capital. The city has plenty of job opportunities in popular fields like film, tech, health, education, and more.

Cheapest Places To Live In New Zealand

Christchurch is one of the best cities in New Zealand for those hoping to relocate to the country on a smaller budget. Keep in mind that housing prices and the cost of living in New Zealand are quite expensive in comparison to other popular expat destinations across the globe.

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and is a good choice for those who are hoping to save on housing costs. While rent costs are significantly lower than in other cities in New Zealand, do keep in mind that activities such as eating out and entertainment might still be quite costly.

Dunedin is the second largest city in the South Island and is another good option for those who are hoping to relocate with a smaller budget. The cost of rent in the city is reasonable and the traditionally-student city has a charming atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Families

Wellington is one of the best cities in New Zealand for families. When relocating to a new city, you’ll want to ensure it’s the perfect choice for you, especially if you’re bringing along a family.

Factors such as safety, education, entertainment and pricing are all likely to play a factor in how your move will go. Luckily, Wellington takes all of these factors, and more, into account.

There are plenty of good neighbourhoods in the city and options for your children when it comes to schooling options. The city is also relatively small making it easy to travel, particularly with the good transportation links.

New Plymouth is another good city for families, particularly those who would like to move somewhere slower-paced and with a more rural atmosphere. Located on the North Island’s west coast, New Plymouth is affordable and has good public transportation links.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Immigrants

Auckland is one of the busiest cities in New Zealand and has a population of over 1.7 million people. It’s a great city for immigrants who are hoping to live in a cosmopolitan city alongside a diverse range of people.

There are plenty of job opportunities in Auckland, particularly for expats who are looking to teach English. There’s also a very big hospitality sector in Auckland which has ample choice for expats hoping to find work in this field.

Auckland also has an undeniable foodie scene with different eateries and restaurants for food lovers to explore. Suburbs such as Howick, Bucklands Beach and Mellons Bay are popular with expats looking to move somewhere safe and friendly.

Do be aware that the cost of living and housing in Auckland is expensive, particularly in comparison to some of New Zealand’s more rural towns.

Wellington is another good city for immigrants, especially those with families who are hoping to move somewhere with good educational institutions and a safe reputation.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Retirement

Located in New Zealand’s South Island, Dunedin is a popular retirement destination for many expats. The city is well-suited for those who love the great outdoors and want to spend their time indulging in activities such as walking, swimming or hiking.

As well as having a charming culture with plenty of festivals and events, Dunedin is affordable in comparison to some of New Zealand’s other cities. Home to New Zealand’s only castle, Dunedin is regarded as one of the cultural and heritage highlights of the country.

Marlborough is another good option for those hoping to retire to New Zealand. Located in the northeast of South Island, Marlborough is becoming more and more popular with retirees – particularly those who are eager to settle close to some of New Zealand’s best vineyards.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Young Adults

Queenstown is a resort town located in the southwest of South Island that is a great option for young adults hoping to relocate to New Zealand. Queenstown is ideal for young adults with a love of thrill-seeking – there are several high-intensity activities and sports in Queenstown such as jet boating.

As a tourist resort town, you can expect Queenstown to be more expensive when it comes to housing and living costs, with the return being the vast amount of entertainment and dining options, as well as the outstanding natural scenery surrounding the town.

There are several bars and clubs in Queenstown as well as lots of young and young-at-heart residents who are welcoming and friendly.

For young adults who are more budget-conscious, Christchurch – also located in South Island – might be a better option. As the second-largest city in New Zealand, Christchurch offers young adults all the convenient amenities one would want from a large city as well as having plenty of recreational activities available.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Students

New Zealand is a wonderful country to relocate to for international students and there are several options of city for one to choose from. Auckland, in particular, is one of the best options for international students as the city has five main universities to choose from.

Some of the most renowned universities include the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology and the Auckland Institute of Studies. Auckland is very diverse and there are plenty of different cultures and communities for international students to merge with; the most popular suburbs are Parnell, Grey Lynn, and Arch Hill.

Auckland also has a good nightlife scene which has a variety of different clubs, bars and music venues for students to enjoy themed nights and more.

Hamilton is another good option for international students; it is home to the University of Waikato which is known for being the friendliest university in the country and also offers the opportunity for international students to pair up with residents in a ‘buddy system’.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Food and Nightlife

Most of New Zealand’s cuisine is influenced by local ingredients and local dishes, with many dishes including lamb, seafood, kumara (sweet potato), kiwifruit, and pavlova. Wellington is the prime city to consider for foodies hoping to relocate to the country.

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and is located near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. It’s also consistently recognised as one of the best cities for food lovers with a range of eateries sampling different cuisines including modern vegan and vegetarian restaurants.

When it comes to nightlife, Auckland is considered one of the best cities for nightlife lovers. As well as the typical range of bars and clubs, Auckland also has a variety of different live shows and with a large student population, the nightlife scene is relatively active.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for Singles

New Zealand has authentic charm and there are several options for singles hoping to relocate to the country. Dunedin is one of the best cities for singles to consider as the city is both affordable and has a large population of students and young adults.

Dunedin has had several festivals throughout the years, a large expanse of coastline to explore and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its literary history. The city has a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere than some of the other cities in the country, so if your priority is a constantly thriving nightlife, you might want to consider either Wellington or Auckland.

Saint Clair is a well-sought-after neighbourhood in Dunedin and is popular with many expats due to its safe reputation.

Wellington, the capital, is another fantastic choice for international singles – there are lots of diverse communities and cultures located in Wellington and the city is known for its bustling atmosphere and wide range of amenities.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for the LGBT+ Community

Auckland is known to be one of the best cities in New Zealand for the LGBT+ community. It regularly hosts LGBT+ events and though it may be considered small on a global scale (the country is only slightly larger than the UK!), has a gay scene that is continuing to grow.

There are several bars, cafes, clubs and live music venues in Auckland which cater for the LGBT+ community plus the outstanding surrounding natural scenery makes the city a fantastic option. Auckland has a charming atmosphere and there are several outdoor activities groups.

Wellington, which is the capital city of New Zealand, is another good option for members of the LGBT+ community who are hoping to move to a city with an active queer scene alongside all the standard amenities one would expect of a modern city.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand for the Weather

The weather in New Zealand drastically differs from region to region, but several cities experience outstanding sunny weather and chilly frosts for those who might prefer the colder seasons.

For those who enjoy the sun, Christchurch is one of the best cities to relocate to in New Zealand for good weather. The city is located on the South Island’s east coast and receives a lot of sunshine throughout the year as well as moderate rainfall.

Queenstown is another city which is an ideal spot for sun lovers and snow lovers. Situated in the Southern Alps of the South Island, Queenstown is ideal for those who are hoping to move to a city where they can enjoy the summer and winter months.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand Near Beaches

When it comes to choosing a city in New Zealand close to a beach, any expat will be spoilt for choice! New Zealand is made up of two main islands – the North and South Islands – and the coastline is dotted with even smaller islands.

This makes it easy for anyone living in New Zealand to easily find a city with the ideal type of beach for you. Auckland is a fantastic city for beach lovers; there are around 80 different beaches surrounding Auckland, some hidden coves and some offering water sports activities.

Some notable beaches around Auckland include Onetangi Beach, Mission Bay Beach and Anchor Bay Beach.

Those who are happy to move somewhere a little more rural to be close to some of the most spectacular beaches New Zealand has to offer could also consider Mount Maunganui. Set on a peninsula, Mount Maunganui is a suburb known for having outstanding beaches with incredible views of the extinct Mount Maunganui volcano.

Best Places To Live In New Zealand Near Mountain

New Zealand is a mountainous country that attracts many visitors throughout the year who enjoy hiking the many trails, or mountain sports such as skiing or snowboarding. Queenstown is one of the best cities in the country for those who are hoping to have close access to the mountains.

Queenstown is set against the Southern Alps and is an ideal city for those who are hoping to move to a vibrant city with all the convenient amenities and attractions you’d expect of a modern city, with the bonus of having such outstanding natural scenery on your doorstep.

Wānaka is a popular resort town which is ideal for those who are hoping to spend the months in a busy and active town that offers people plenty of different sports activities as well as having the authentic charm of all New Zealand cities.