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Family moved from New Zealand to Japan for lower costs and better healthcare

Created at 31 May · 2:38 PM2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events
IN SHORT

A family relocated from New Zealand to Kobe, Japan, seeking a reset due to high living costs and financial stress. They found a lower cost of living, improved healthcare accessibility, and increased travel opportunities, significantly enhancing their quality of life.

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Key Numbers

3 yearstime since family moved from New Zealand to Japan
¥6000cost of MRI in Japan
$38 USDapproximate cost of MRI in Japan
¥280monthly cost for daughter's pediatric specialist appointments
$2 USDapproximate monthly cost for daughter's pediatric specialist appointments
10 kilogramsweight lost by author in first four months in Japan
22 poundsapproximate weight lost by author in first four months in Japan
10,000 stepsdaily steps author easily clears

Who's Involved

Kerri King
Author who shared reflections on moving from New Zealand to Japan
Author's husband
Experienced a severe work injury in New Zealand and sought care in Japan
Author's daughter
Receives monthly pediatric specialist appointments in Japan
Family moved from New Zealand to Japan for lower costs and better healthcare

↳ Why This Matters

This story details a family's personal experience migrating from New Zealand to Japan, highlighting the significant improvements they found in their quality of life. The narrative focuses on the contrast in living costs, healthcare accessibility, and lifestyle, offering a perspective on the benefits of international relocation for improved well-being and financial stability.

Key facts

  • A family moved from New Zealand to Kobe, Japan, three years ago.
  • They sought a reset due to high living costs and financial stress in New Zealand.
  • The family experienced a lower cost of living and better healthcare in Japan.
  • Affordable and timely medical care, including MRIs and specialist appointments, was noted.
  • Not owning a car led to increased physical activity and a better connection with the environment.
  • Frequent travel is now possible due to inexpensive flights and Japan's rail network.

This story details a family's personal experience migrating from New Zealand to Japan, highlighting the significant improvements they found in their quality of life. The narrative focuses on the contrast in living costs, healthcare accessibility, and lifestyle, offering a perspective on the benefits of international relocation for improved well-being and financial stability.

Frequently asked questions

The family moved from New Zealand to Kobe, Japan, seeking a reset due to skyrocketing living costs, limited career growth, and financial stress.

They found a lower cost of living, significantly better and more affordable healthcare, increased physical activity due to not owning a car, and opportunities for frequent travel.

In Japan, the family experienced same-day appointments and affordable care, with an MRI costing around $38 USD and monthly specialist visits for their daughter costing less than $2 USD. In New Zealand, they faced long waits for medical procedures and a costly public system.

The author walks more daily, has noticed seasonal changes more acutely, and experienced improved mental health and overall quality of life due to less financial stress and a slower lifestyle.

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Cadence

How It Developed

31 May · 1:44 PM
A woman praises New Zealand's work culture, calling it "healthy" in a video shared online.
NDTV via PiQSuite
31 May · 12:52 PM
Article details a family's move from NZ to Japan, citing lower costs, better healthcare, and improved quality of life.
Business Insider via PiQSuite

Sources

T1
"Balance Here Feels So Healthy": Woman Praises New Zealand's Work Culturem.piqsuite.com
T1
We moved to Japan 3 years ago. We have a lower cost of living and travel more.m.piqsuite.com

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