The wonders of New Zealand and Australia await you.  These countries are absolutely clean, beautiful, spacious, economical and friendly.  I really don’t know why it took me so long to travel to this part of the globe, of course it could have been the air fare or the number of hours on the plane (12 – 14 to be exact).  Twelve hours is a bit long mate but worth every minute once there.

I motored through small towns and villages (Tuaranga, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and Hobart) and larger cities such as Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.  I talked to both Europeans and Americans who moved to this part of the world and found them almost smirking as though they were brilliant in making their move to these countries.  Their glib responses to my naiveté as I questioned how and when they arrived, further sparked my curiosity. 

New Zealand’s and Australia’s industries are primarily mining, tourism, agriculture, ranching(there are four times as many sheep as people) and myriad small service related businesses.   The population is about 25 million (4M+ in New Zealand and 20 M in Australia) and the land mass is slightly less than that of the United States.  Can you imagine how wide open and clean the cities are?  Yes, I am totally enamored with this both countries.

As far as retiring there….it is not just a good, but a great idea!  The USA will allow a dual citizenship and your living expenses will drop more than 20 - 30% (does not include exchange rate).  Due primarily to its isolated location and sparse slightly aging population, achieving New Zealand citizenship is less restrictive and less cumbersome than in Australia. Of the two, Australia has grown faster, has a more fully developed infrastructure and has two main cities, Melbourne and Sydney, which are sophisticated, truly international cities.  Because of their socialized health care and city planning both countries are particular in their immigration requirements. If you want to retire there, financial requirements (either through investments in businesses or deposit of substantial funds) may be imposed.  Most large cities in both countries have great transportation systems and movement around the cities are easy and economical.  In New Zealand, outside of Auckland, transportation is primarily by personal auto, but what a great way to explore this beautiful island country. For the most part, the weather in the populated areas is temperate , the restaurant food is excellent (lots of seaside restaurants serving food on outside patios with breathtaking views), living accommodations are mostly new, and  jobs are growing commensurate with the population.  The Aussies and the Kiwis are friendly, helpful and for the most part, non-meddling people.  They are, as the commercials used to suggest, very likely to “put some shrimp on the Barbie” for you as they welcome you to their home.

Investments in this new frontier have appreciated quickly with home prices tripling and savings rates at about 4.0%.  Profits are taxed based on a stepped scale similar to the USA, though to stimulate investment, capital gains and savings interest are not taxed at the individual level.