Are you thinking of moving to Auckland? I can’t blame you – New Zealand has long been depicted as one of the most livable countries in the world but be sure to know the pros and cons of living in Auckland first.
The city of Wellington is among the top in the world when it comes to quality of life rankings and Auckland is close behind. It is a highly modern city with an energised hub for modern living. There is a great balance of leisure and business opportunities for anyone looking to relocate here. In fact, it is often mistaken as the capital of New Zealand due to its popularity and size.
As with most cities in the world, it is important to look at the big picture. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of living in a Auckland before you decide to relocate.
Pros of Living in Auckland
There is an endless list of things that would make anyone want to move to Auckland. Here are just a few of the things I love about living in this city.
1. It has an abundance of beautiful landscapes and natural features.
This is probably the top reason why people want to live in Auckland. It is home to a rich collection of awe-inspiring landscapes, gorgeous beaches, pristine park lands, and other stunning natural scenic formations. Needless to say, Auckland is naturally stunning!
If you are into outdoor activities, then you will be spoiled here. You can go swimming, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing… you name it! The best thing about these gorgeous natural landscapes is that they are within a short drive from the heart of Auckland.
2. It is not too crowded.
While Auckland is a bustling metropolis, it is not as crowded as other major cities in the world. The CBD and downtown area might get busy during certain times of the day but it is never chaotic. For this reason, there is a laid back feel in the city of Auckland.
This makes the city a great place to live for anyone wishing to enjoy that slow pace to their day-to-day routine. The proximity to various attractions also makes it easy to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
3. It is very safe.
Auckland might be the largest city in New Zealand but it is also completely safe. The crime rate in the city is very low, especially involving violent crimes. If there are any crimes that do take place, these are petty ones like theft or pickpocketing. Most of this type of crime is directed towards cars, if any.
There is also very little incidence of hate crimes and crimes toward women in Auckland, or New Zealand in general. Authorities do recommended that you observe basic safety measures, especially when walking alone at night.
Auckland is very safe and is considered as one of the best destinations for solo female travellers.
4. It is very clean.
Since Auckland is not as densely populated as other major cities, it is also very well-maintained. The city is always very clean and looked after. Another big plus for living in Auckland.
5. It has excellent food.
The access to natural resources and the ocean means that there is an abundance of fresh and delicious food in Auckland. Locals are treated to some of the best food that you can enjoy in the world, some of them at an affordable price. Therefore, locals don’t need to travel to enjoy great food. It’s no wonder it has a thriving food and restaurant industry.
Cons of Living in Auckland
While there are many great things to love about living in Auckland, there are a few things that will make you want to think twice.
1. The housing is expensive.
Fact: Auckland is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. Because of this, the cost of housing is also among the highest in the world.
According to the NZ Herald, Auckland is fifth in the world in terms of the most expensive cities in terms of housing costs. To give you an idea, the average cost of a house in Auckland is a little shy of $1.2 million. For the first time in the history of the city’s real estate industry, the average cost of housing is worth over $800K, reports Scoop NZ.
If you plan on living in Auckland and buying a house, you better start saving now!
2. You will probably need a car.
If you live outside the Auckland CBD area, then chances are you need a car. The places outside of the CBD area are located too far apart from each other that it would be impossible to walk and are often not accessible to public transportation. This is another expense to consider if you want to live in Auckland.
3. The weather is unpredictable.
The neighboring city of Melbourne in Australia is notable for its unpredictable weather. The same can be said of Auckland in New Zealand. In fact, locals joke that you get to experience all 4 seasons in one day. It’s widely accepted for a reason!
If you want to live in Auckland, you need to prepare for these weather changes. Make sure you arm yourself with adequate layers to keep you warm when the weather becomes cool all of a sudden. However, the city experiences more sunshine than rain so it is still good news for those who love warm weather.
4. The job opportunity might be limited.
Due to the smaller population, there are not as many career prospects available for those who want to move here to work. Sure, the economy is thriving and one of the best in the world, but there is very limited opportunity for new job hunters. If there were any available job positions, the competition for them is very stiff.
As the saying goes, you have to take the bad with the good. Thankfully, living in Auckland brings more good than bad. If you decide to move in here, you must learn to live with the drawbacks in order to enjoy the quality of life that it promises to offer.
I hope that you found my Living in Auckland Pros and Cons helpful and are now more informed in your decision. I’m an Auckland native so feel free to reach out to me directly through the contact section of this website. I am always happy to answer any and all questions!
If you want to find out more about Auckland, jump over to my TOP 45 THINGS TO DO IN AUCKLAND – A LOCAL’S GUIDE