I wonder how hard it is to immigrate to New Zealand.
You can't without a job.
There's a loophole if you prove you've got 100K or more NZ$ to invest in a local business or startup. Rents can be high, though Christchurch isn't bad, and smaller towns are reasonable. Places like Taranaki are quite affordable. And there's a strong tiny house movement there, so you can buy a lot or an acre and plunk down a cottage for a reasonable price. OTOH, an apartment in Auckland could easily be a half mill or more. If you establish residency, healthcare is free except for small (by US standards) visit fees. There are few guns and next to Iceland NZ has the lowest rate of personal violence in the world. And it's fucking gorgeous.
Not that I've ever (cough) considered the move.