Retiring to NZ - How is the life over there?

Hello Labradora

welcome to Expat.com

Hope that soon enough some members will be able to help you out.

Regards
Kenjee
Expat.com Team

Well, that's a lovely positive reply! Thank you. We have visited NZ a few times, taking in the Northland, Taranaki, Wellington area and the Waikato, but looks as if we would be in the Auckland area if we went, which would be in a year or so. I've heard housing is expensive, certainly comparable to the UK, so not expecting too much there, but was a bit concerned  that oldies ( over 60's) might find it hard to integrate without a work connection. And we really don't want to crowd out our child and family, just be available to help out and do the 'normal' family things.
I'm trying to take off the holiday goggles and the ' we want you here' siren calls and really understand what being old - then elderly! might be like. I'm hoping our active years will mean we can establish a new circle. The young kiwis we have met - have been really friendly, so I hope the older generation will be as welcoming.
Thanks again for the encouraging post!

Hi
We moved to NZ 3 years ago and are in the process of bring over my in-laws & my parents.
Just so that you know, NZ like most 1st world countries is facing an aging population.  Many councils are working on ways to accommodate this.  We live in Taupo and the majority of our population is older (my immediate family is young).  We have a good variety of groups which cater for the older crowd - cultural, library, walking groups etc.  Once you arrive, visit the local council and ask to speak with someone from community engagement and get a list of groups which may be relevant to you and join them.  I know this may be foreign to most south africans but this is the way to go.  If you are in Auckland, there are many South African social groups.  We have however avoided this approach and rather mixed with Kiwis to integrate.
Housing prices in Auckland are unreal and with a required min 20% deposit it may well be unaffordable considering the exchange rate.  There is nothing wrong with renting here.  You should also consider living outside of Auckland.  There are many great towns more suited to retired people surrounding Auckland and with only a couple hours drive away.

Perhaps you could pack up in SA and put your container in storage at Auckland harbor and "camp" with your family until you find an area which you like.

Lastly, if you come over on a parent visa with no serious medical conditions, I believe you qualify for state medical like all permanent residents/citizens.  Double check this.  State medical here is sufficient.  Health insurance is expensive.  In SA medical aid is absolutely essential, here you receive the treatment you need usually free or with a basic charge.  The only difference is sometimes you wait longer to have treatment however urgent cases are treated as such and if you want to be seen sooner you can pay privately for a specialist.  Its a matter of preference but I would say not essential.  We signed up but found the exclusions unacceptable and the cost was too high.  We thought it was better to have a saving fund earning interest.

Its a tough decision coming to NZ.  Its not for everyone.  We love it here and would recommend it but we know people who came over tried it and felt they couldn't make it here and went back.  People find it hard to live on a Kiwi budget - which is tight.  We were wealthy in SA but now we are not   It took us 3 years to semi-accept this but we are always "working at it".  We came here for our son to have a future and to be safe.  I wont lie, it has been a struggle coming here (mostly financial and missing family) but you must stick it out to reap the rewards of NZ.

The freedom and lifestyle we have gained in NZ is worth everything to us.  We traded wealth for a life.

You are welcome to send back any questions.  I understand your position and hope the info I have given you is useful.

Hi, I have been over here 2 years and have came over to be with my children and grandchildren and  am aged 62, Any one of my age coming over here from the UK will be in for a major culture shock as although we both speak the same language the attitude difference is huge, A lot of Kiwis have a that's near enough attitude  and we find actually getting trades people to turn up on time and actually do the job very frustrating..  apart from hunting/fishing  down here there is very little social life away from the larger centres and we are finding life very quite even although we see our sons/grandchild fairly regularly. Adapting to life in NZ is not easy if you come from any where that has a reasonable speed of life. I live on the south island so cant speak for the North island. One of the most frustrating things of all is the lack of things to do.  one of the major Tourist towns of the south island advertises a weekly market selling local products/produce it consists of 3 stalls open for 4 hours!. Life in the larger towns is generally to a more modern standard. Would I go back?  funnily enough no. but would have preferred my kids living in one of the larger towns simply because there is so much more to do.

Hi. we came over to the south island a couple of years ago to be with our  2 sons and 1 granddaughter and like your selves in our 60s. We live in a small town on the coast of the south island and have bought a house which compared with Auckland the price is peanuts. We settled in and was bombarded by all the local organisations such as the lions/ bowling clubs etc to join them as they were looking for young blood! Most of the people in these organisations are over 75!. I have joined the local  preserved railway in a attempt to make  more contacts. you will find there are plenty of organisations who are happy to see you but be prepared to be told at some stage or another by some local you don't belong here and should go back home, Just tell em to get stuffed!. All in all its harder than what you think it will be to settle down  as you will miss the familiar daily life back home. In general life is much slower than the UK especially away from the main population areas. Come on over!!!!