Nick,

I really loved New Zealand but seeing billboards all over Wellington talking about the 200,000 Kiwis getting a tax break by moving to Australia was a little concerning. Additionally, a few people told us that 300 people/week were leaving NZ for Australia or elsewhere. New Zealand has a great deal to offer but what slaps me on the face is the high cost of everything. One Kiwi we spoke to said the average salary in NZ is about 30k - 40k and in Australia it's 20k more. Do the math. If the average home is 300k and the average salary is 40k then how can you ever afford a home? Of course, I'm sure there is cheaper housing further away from the cities but then your commute is longer and so is the gas expense. The same Kiwi said the average person there had about 50k in credit card debt! It makes sense because I don't see how one can afford a home (mortgage) at those prices AND still pay living expenses too.

Lastly, I'm not worried about myself but the hardships my kids might have growing up there and trying to fend for themselves after they're off on their own. I'm not after more money, I can clearly and easily earn more here in the US than there in NZ but I was prepared to move there anyway regardless of this fact. I was after a better quality of life and while NZ is appealing to me for many reasons, I must balance the potential consequences of moving there and the current state of NZ economic conditions and migration patterns.