What is it like to live in New Zealand? The locals talk about their everyday life and give tips for the travelers

Article by Pinky McBanon

New Zealand was voted as the third best country (after Norway and Australia) for someone to live in, in 2010. We asked the locals what makes their country the ideal place and what it is like to live in New Zealand.

The most popular answer was climate and geography. New Zealanders love outdoors activities such as hiking, mountain bike, ski and swimming. Since New Zealand is a small country most places are less than an hour from the ocean and four hours from the mountains, giving a chance to visit both in one weekend (or even in one day if you feel like it).

Another fact that locals appreciate is that they live in a small country with a population of little more than 4,000,000. This allows people to develop trustworthy family and friends relationships and keeps crime levels low. Even in Auckland, which is the largest city in the country, people still know their neighbors and feel safe.

Despite its size New Zealand is rich in cultural activities and social life. Festivals, concerts, sports events, plays and more take place throughout the country any time of year. New Zealand has also introduced to the world several great artists (musicians, writers, painters).

Finally the opportunity to benefit from all the advantages of a rural way of life while you can still reach a major city, like Auckland or Christchurch, within less than two hours, is one of the reasons locals would not even think of moving to another place.As for tips for the people who plan to visit their country they informed us about the following:

• Shops are open from 9 am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9 pm to 12.30 or 5 pm (depends on the shop) on Saturday. In large cities shops may be open until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

• Banks are open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. In large cities some banks open on Saturday mornings as well.

• Post offices open from 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Some also open on Saturday from 9.30 am to 1 pm.

• Supermarkets are open from 8 am to 7 pm. In many cities they stay open until 9 pm.

• Restaurants usually take orders until 9 pm and serve until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Pubs serve food from 2 pm to 6-8 pm.Now that you have a taste of what it is like to live in New Zealand your trip can be not a tourist’s, but a traveler’s experience!

About the Author

Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world! Her blogs and websites focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build homebased business http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com.Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia’s Culture and Great Food! at http://www.wheretogoinasia.com.