Looking for South African Expats in Auckland?

Thinking about moving to Auckland as a South African? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what South African expats in Auckland wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• Safety is the number-one draw. South Africans mention it most, feeling secure in a way they didn't at home, and 78% of expats in Auckland rate personal safety positively.

• Nature and the outdoors are spectacular. 92% rate the natural environment positively, 88% opportunities for recreational sports, and 82% air quality.

• It's easy to settle. English is no barrier (67% find the language easy), 64% find bureaucracy easy, and 54% rate the local job market positively (above the 41% global average).

• It's a safe, healthy place for family. South Africans praise a secure, clean environment and a good work-life balance (72%) for raising children.

• Housing is unaffordable and often poor. Just 8% of expats in Auckland rate housing affordability positively and 12% the general cost of living — among the lowest scores in the survey.

• Healthcare and the economy disappoint. Only 48% rate healthcare affordability positively and 41% the state of the economy.

• You're a long way from everywhere. Only 59% rate the opportunity to travel positively (vs. 83% globally), and the isolation is a real adjustment.

• Visas and settling can strain families. South Africans describe residency uncertainty and the toll the move can take on family life.

For South Africans, Auckland offers safety, stunning nature, and a secure, English-friendly life for family. The trade-offs are the housing market, healthcare costs, and the isolation. It rewards those who move for security and the outdoors over affordability.

InterNations is the perfect place for South African expats in Auckland to find the help and resources they have been looking for. The "City Of Sails" will soon become your new home with our InterNations community - we help you to take full advantage of your new life here!

• Get to know Auckland’s South African expats.
• Join today and find everything you need through our Expat Forums and entries from fellow South Africans in Auckland.
• Read through our extensive Expat Guides to receive useful information on Auckland.

Our Auckland community is also very active offline. Our members get to enjoy a range of events and activities on monthly and weekly basis, e.g. a great dinner at Auckland’s fanciest restaurant organized by our InterNations Ambassadors, or a weekend trip to explore New Zealand’s unique vibe. These events and activities are a perfect and casual way to get in touch with fellow South African expats in your city and South Africans in New Zealand. Interested? Simply sign up for membership and join the ranks of our South Africans living in Auckland.