Dunedin, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Dunedin is a coastal city in the South Island of New Zealand, known for its Scottish heritage and stunning architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 130,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 65 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 NZD ≈ 0.60 USD; major banks include ASB, ANZ, and Westpac. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Vodafone, Spark, and 2degrees. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commonly accepted payment types include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Services like Revolut are also available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and shared flats. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Bookabach offer many short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel and shared accommodation options include HI Dunedin and Campsite Dunedin. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Pantry, located in the city center, offers great facilities for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Good Oil Cafe provides a vibrant atmosphere and great coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check out Meetups on platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup.com for regular networking opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Dunedin International Residents' Group is active on Facebook, offering community activities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is operational in Dunedin and is widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Dunedin has bike rental shops like Cycle World and e-scooter services like Lime. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | St. Clair Beach is the closest, approximately 10 minutes by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air New Zealand operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qantas and Emirates offer flights from Dunedin to international destinations with layovers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | State Highway 1 provides major road connections to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The Dunedin Railway Station serves as the main transport hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro services provide public transportation passes; a monthly pass costs around NZD 110. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses run by GoBus or Dunedin Public Bus Services connect to nearby towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dunedin Hospital, the largest in the region, offers comprehensive healthcare. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Leisure Centre Dunedin offers various yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Jetts and Les Mills are popular fitness centers in Dunedin. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services are offered at places like Laundry King and individual laundromats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Deliveroo are popular food delivery options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local seafood, particularly blue cod. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Humboldt's offers great vegetarian dishes and is highly regarded. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pigment Chocolate is renowned for its handmade treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Otago Farmers Market every Saturday is great for budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local online marketplace Trade Me is popular for various products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Countdown and New World offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Octagon is the main hub for nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Dunedin Brewery is New Zealand's oldest craft brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Haus offers a wide selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Check the Exchange area for various street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Bistro Gent serves a variety of European dishes, including Belgian. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Larnach Castle and the Dunedin Railway Station are iconic landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum are must-visits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The First Church of Otago and the Otago Museum highlight the city’s history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Paul's Cathedral is a significant site for visitors. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Dunedin Folk Festival occurs each October and showcases local artists. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Exchange area is known for its vibrant cultural life. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Regent Theatre hosts a variety of performances and films. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Otago Farmers Market and the Dunedin Craft Market are popular local attractions. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Dunedin has a thriving music venue scene, including venues like the Crown Hotel. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city's alleys feature vibrant street art, particularly in the CBD. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Giovanni's Cooking School offers engaging culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Dunedin School of Art showcases works from local and international artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Dunedin's Victorian and Edwardian architecture is notable, including the Municipal Chambers. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Dunedin is known for its Scottish heritage, visible in its architecture and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Otago Peninsula offers breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Catlins Forest Park is a famous nearby national park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Dunedin waterfront and Leith River walkways are beautiful for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Signal Hill offers stunning views of Dunedin and the surrounding landscapes. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Taiaroa Head is a premier spot for observing wildlife, especially albatross. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches like St. Kilda have designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services include NZ Post and DHL Express. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and Battery Plus provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Several community halls and sports centers like the Dunedin Table Tennis Club offer facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like Otago Polytechnic offer various courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Dunedin City Library provides spaces to read and study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Dunedin Community House provides various services and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Central is a popular place for gamers in Dunedin. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Dunedin hosts the Dunedin Casino, offering gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 192,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 140,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 252,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 180,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 304,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 224,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28% corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 33% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Highest personal income tax rate is 39%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard GST rate is 15%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, New Zealand has CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Rates are based on property value and vary by local council. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No capital gains tax, but there may be costs associated with land transfer. |