A British couple who relocated to New Zealand say the move has been one of the best decisions they have made, even though they now earn less and work significantly longer hours.
Liv Dainton, 27, and her partner, Cameron Ellenor, moved from North Yorkshire to Queenstown in February 2025 after Cameron accepted an engineering job opportunity. The couple, who have been together for more than nine years, decided to embrace a new lifestyle and start fresh overseas.
Before the move, Liv worked as a financial accountancy recruitment consultant with a standard 37-hour workweek. In New Zealand, she changed careers and now works in traffic control, often starting her day at 4:30 a.m. and working up to 60 hours a week. Although the role is physically demanding and comes with lower pay, she says it is less stressful than her previous job and has helped her meet new people.
For the couple, the biggest rewards have been the lifestyle rather than the salary. Liv says she feels much safer in New Zealand and has been impressed by the country's relaxed atmosphere, friendly communities, and breathtaking natural scenery. She noted that in some areas, residents even leave their homes and cars unlocked, something she rarely experienced in the UK.
While adapting to a new country has required sacrifices, the couple believe the improved quality of life has made those challenges worthwhile. Their story reflects a growing trend of people prioritizing lifestyle, safety, and work-life balance over higher incomes when choosing where to live.