Considering moving overseas

[Lady Smith]

I completely agree with you about Kiwis Claire.  In my time living where I am now in the Waikato I've had absolutely no problems with anyone not accepting me, - well apart from a tiny handful of nutters who belong to one of the small fringe christian churches here in town, - but I just ignore them.
In general I haven't a clue whether or not anyone around here knows I'm TG because I get treated the same as anybody else.

[lemon_ice]

Hi! I'm from New Zealand too, but I probably have a different/more positive opinion about living here than some of my fellow country folk who have posted, please don't take offence anybody
I think this is a pretty great little country to live in if you're transgender I've been treated really well, with almost zero crap from anyone.

I have travelled extensively, and from what I've seen there are serious issues of inequality pretty much everywhere you go, but I think NZ is still a pretty cohesive society by comparison to most. I have relatively modest qualifications but I've never had much of an issue finding a reasonable job; I mean, let's face it, you'll need some skill if you're going to get a reasonable job no matter where in the world you live. Contrary to what others have said, we do have reasonably good employment protections, MUCH better than the USA at least, but maybe not quite as rigorous as what Australia has, but still pretty good.

And the stuff about power prices and infrastructure etc., I don't really agree with that, we have some fantastic geothermal fields and we have been quietly bringing quite a few geothermal power plants online over the last 20 years, to the point where we have closed our last coal fired station this year, and we're starting to close some of the few gas fired stations we have, due to them not being competitive with geothermal. As for general infrastructure, we're a small population that is mostly spread out over a large area, so there are limitations on what's practical, but I think it's generally appropriate for our needs

I live in the big evil Auckland too! I find it totally fine, I've lived all around NZ and there are always pros and cons everywhere. I wouldn't want to try and buy a house in Auckland, but there is a lot to like otherwise, lots of cool ethnic restaurants, fun events and interesting things to do, really good medical support for whatever ails you :p I have epilepsy and I'm obviously transgender There's a ton of specialists here that can be kinda hard to access in some of the provinces.. I really like it all up, it's pretty with lots of bays, beaches and islands, it's also a volcanic field with about 50 small extinct volcanoes which are usually parks, and provide a bit of interest on the skyline, I'm also a geology nut

One thing I really like about NZ compared to other places is our cruisey "yeah, nah" outlook..lol. Basically most people in NZ do not have particularly strong opinions on anything aside from sport; it's also very secular too. I felt quite exhausted during my travels around the USA with SO many people with SO many extreme opinions about all kinds of crazy crap! Especially the freakily high occurrence of crazy intense religious people... that's something you don't really ever see here, fine with me too!!!

All up, I think it's a great choice if you can get residency and all that Come hang out and we can go to the beach!!

Claire

Sorry I forgot to add.. and yes you can keep Hobbits as pets here you just have to have them spayed/neutered coz they can breed like crazy! There have been issues in the past with them digging up parks and fields and forming colonies, kind of like gophers in North America, but with all the crime and drug use problems that you always seem to get with large Hobbit population densities They're super cute when domesticated though

[lemon_ice]

I completely agree with you about Kiwis Claire.  In my time living where I am now in the Waikato I've had absolutely no problems with anyone not accepting me, - well apart from a tiny handful of nutters who belong to one of the small fringe christian churches here in town, - but I just ignore them.
In general I haven't a clue whether or not anyone around here knows I'm TG because I get treated the same as anybody else.

Oh cool I'm glad things are going well for you in the Waikato It sounds a bit sucky about the fundies though I think one of the things about NZ, or Auckland at least, is that a lot of the really religious folk are actually of people of Pasifika background, who often are traditionally quite accepting of transgendered people in their own societies, which is kinda cool I think
LOL, yes that's a pretty NZ sounding problem... it's super hard to know if you pass! I feel the same way

[Katie J]

All great stuff to know! Thanks! Good to hear about the downsides and all of the awesome qualities. I'm currently trying to teach myself how to code and build websites and I know that there are Starbucks down there (current barista) so I am not too concerned about finding a job at the moment, but would definitely be moved to the top of my list if I am able to move. If I can afford to I would love to take at least a trip there in the next year!

[Isabelle]

I know that there are Starbucks down there (current barista) so I am not too concerned about finding a job at the moment

Just as a little cultural tip/warning... Not many people consider starbucks to be good coffee.. its considered by a lot of people as on par with Macdonalds or some other nasty processed type product.. NZ has a solid history of cafe roasteries that import and roast their own beans. In the capital Wellington, coffee is serious business xox
(same goes for Australia too apparently.. Antipodeans basically consider chain store USA coffee ->-bleeped-<- soz,
If you do end up coming here though, PM me, I know about a dozen cafe and bar owners)