Is the grass really greener (and cheaper) in the countryside? 

Today we're exploring the financial reality of city versus country living in New Zealand. With Auckland's median house price at $970,000, we'll investigate whether moving to regions like Gore, where houses trade around $400,000, could be your ticket to mortgage-free living.

Key Questions Discussed:

• What are the current house prices across NZ's main centres?
• Which NZ towns offer homes under $500,000?
• How do job opportunities compare between city and country?
• What are the hidden costs of regional living?
• How do income levels vary between urban and rural areas?
• What lifestyle factors should you consider before moving?
• Is mortgage-free living worth the lifestyle change?
• How accessible are essential services in regional areas?

Key References:

• OneRoof Property Data 2024
• Stats NZ Census 2018
• Regional Council District Reports
• Couple use their Auckland deposit to buy house in Gore mortgage-free

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Disclaimer:
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Any information we provide is general only and current at the time of writing.

Kernel Wealth Limited is the manager and issuer of the Kernel KiwiSaver Plan and Kernel Funds scheme. The Product Disclosure Statements are available at www.kernelwealth.co.nz