this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2025
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Considering immigrating to New Zealand (fedia.io)
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hey all, I hope I'm posting to the right place. My gf and I are both trans women considering immigrating to New Zealand from the US. We both have green list careers so we're not too worried about eligibility but we are wondering if we would be welcome/fit in in NZ.

Everything I've seen or heard in media makes NZ look about 1000 times better than the US. Every country has their problems but from my limited viewpoint NZ looks pretty great. We'd appreciate any advice or perspective you'd care to share. Thanks in advance.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (3 children)

We've started the process for getting our work related papers in order, her medical license has been accepted and my engineering degree and certs are in process. Our current plan is to use the 90 day tourist visas we have to do more in person job searches and then get a work visa. Our leaving the states hinges on how bad things get here. She shares child custody with her ex so we really don't want to leave the kids if we don't have to.

We have thought about a couple other countries but NZ is currently our first choice. Australia does appear to have more opportunity as far as work and housing go, but they also feel closer to the US politically which worries us.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Looks like you have things planned out well. Good luck. It is easier to get a job offer if you can meet face to face with people that's for sure. Many people don't even look at CVs if the address and the telephone number are not local.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago

Australia is a lot more like NZ than the US, and crucially compared to NZ their unions didn't get smashed like ours did so still hold a lot of sway. This is the main reason why their work conditions are often a lot better, as is their pay. Culturally they're pretty similar but maybe a bit more open and friendly than Kiwis, we can be a bit quiet & insular but weirdly moreso to people we see regularly than a random tourist stopping and saying hello. We are also super clique-y and it can be hard (even as a kiwi) to make friends if you're new to a city etc.

[–] foiledAgain 2 points 2 days ago

Australia is going to have an election this year. Hopefully Labour can hold on and keep it left of centre which is far cry better than the US.