Three months ago, the three of us made a bold leap, leaving behind our stable, high-paying jobs, packing our lives into four suitcases, and relocating from Suzhou to New Zealand—a place where we had no family or friends. Here, my wife is embarking on a master’s degree, while I take on the rewarding role of full-time caregiver for our toddler.
My wife is diligently working towards securing a stable job after her graduation in a year. Once our child is enrolled in daycare, I plan to start learning a new skill as a future source of income. Together, we are striving to achieve our short-term goal of obtaining permanent residency.
In New Zealand, we have been blessed with clear blue skies and an abundance of natural beauty, and our child has discovered a world of joy and ample outdoor time. Reflecting on how our little one won’t have to face the relentless pressure of endless tutoring classes, mountains of homework, and fierce competition, we feel that this journey has been more than worthwhile.
Our current sentiment is tinged with a bit of regret—regret for not making this move sooner. From the initial spark of the idea in 2019 to actually taking the plunge in 2024, we went through years of procrastination and hesitation. We also saw a significant financial loss due to the decline in property values, which far outweighed the extra years of earnings in China. If we had come two years earlier, the transition might have been smoother and less financially taxing.
After my wife successfully completes her three-month language course, we will return to China for a month to take our last long vacation and prepare for her official start of school in November. This will also be a bittersweet opportunity to formally say goodbye to our family, friends, and the home we left behind.
Throughout this journey, we have gathered many experiences worth sharing, and I hope to continue to share more in the future, providing insights and encouragement for others who may be considering a similar path.
That sounds like such a brave and exciting adventure! It must be quite a change to go from a stable job to pursuing new opportunities abroad, but also stressful to start over without family nearby. Best of luck to your wife with her studies—I’m sure she’ll find a great job afterward!