“Paradise Does Not Exist”: Best-Ranked Country To Move to for Work-Life Balance, SA Debates

• A report highlighting an international country as the top global destination for work-life balance sparked a conversation about the high number of South Africans moving there
• The information was shared on a Facebook page, attracting massive debate among social media users
• Social media users had mixed opinions, with some questioning the reports, while others who live in the country praised it

A new report on New Zealand’s work-life harmony caused a stir online, with many discussing the growing number of South Africans migrating there.

The information, shared on Facebook by The South African, was met with a mix of opinions and reactions.

A global index has ranked New Zealand as the number one country for work-life balance for the third consecutive year. The report, according to The South African, is compiled by HR software provider Remote, detailing the nation's generous employee benefits. New Zealanders, for example, enjoy an average of 32 paid days of leave per year, a significant difference from South Africa's 21 days.

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New Zealand tops work-life rankings

The country's outstanding healthcare system and 26 weeks of paid parental leave further add to its appeal. These factors, along with a reputation for safety and a high quality of life, provide a powerful incentive for South Africans looking for a new home. The shared love for rugby and the outdoors also strengthens this connection.

The statistics on this migration are telling. The number of South Africans living in New Zealand had grown from 70,000 before the pandemic to nearly 100,000 today. Over 4,000 individuals are achieving resident status each year, and an additional 30,000 locals are on residence visas and set to become residents in the near future.

This has made South Africans the third-largest group of overseas-born nationals in the country. A major hurdle, however, is the purchase of residential property, which is largely restricted to those with a resident visa.

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SA shares a mixture of opinions and experiences

The comment section was filled with mixed opinions and restrictions. Many acknowledged they were living comfortably in New Zealand and shared that they did not regret their choice. They confirmed that the quality of life was indeed high and encouraged others to move if they had a chance.

Some said the grass is not always greener on the other side, saying running away from home does not solve problems. Others, however, said the benefits were exaggerated, saying healthcare wasn't free and as amazing as the post claimed.

User @Willie Olivier said

"Just be warned, Paradise does not exist; it's a myth!"

User @Sasuke Ochiha shared:

"Nah, this is the country you must stay away from if you want work-life balance."

User @Carol Reed added:

"The only problem is that people in New Zealand don’t laugh much."

User @Keagen Wilde shared:

"I live in New Zealand now, and yes, I agree. New Zealand is amazing. If you're able to immigrate, you should. Better life over here, especially for women."

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User @Dave Rapson said:

"We live in New Zealand, it's no different to South Africa or any other country I've lived in. It depends on where you live and what you do for work. Nobody that I know gets more than 20 days leave."

User @Marion Kroukam commented:

"Are they joking about the health care in New Zealand? Where on earth did they get that stat from? You wait for two weeks for a GP, then you'll see a nurse if you're lucky, and you better hope you've cured yourself by then, or else you walk away with one Panado for every ailment."

4 Briefly News articles about living abroad

• A super-rich woman from Cape Town, living in London, was asked what her wish was in life, and she said it was to marry a billionaire, sparking a huge online debate.
• A humorous South African woman in the UK caused a stir online after confronting restaurant employees for bad-tasting food, which she ate and finished before walking out without paying.
• A local woman impressed many after showing off her successful shipping company in China, which she started after her partner told her she couldn't register one as a foreigner.
• A South African woman shared her personal experience in a Nigerian clinic, where she learned that no one, not even locals, received free healthcare.

Source: Briefly News