Laura Elizabeth Arbo

Two Weeks Living in Queenstown...

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:27:31 GMT

Well, that flew by. And let me tell ya, moving internationally is not for the weak. The first two weeks have been a whirlwind and completely exhausting in their own way. From the moment the plane landed, we’ve been:
- setting up bank accounts
- getting NZ cell phone numbers and e-sims
- car shopping (for both of us! so many test drives!)
- applying for jobs and interviewing (me)
- getting city bus cards
- longterm house hunting + several viewings + sending in applications
- unpacking (while knowing on October 4, we’ll be packing up again to move to our next and hopefully final spot)
- meeting (amazing) new people
- exploring a lot, a lot, a lot
- so many gorgeous walks

And in the midst of this, I haven’t yet had that overwhelming feeling telling me this is the right choice. I’ve had that feeling before so I’ll recognize when it hits. I think sometimes, we make choices based on opportunities that arise and we follow the path and hope one day it feels right. I’ve heard people say that moving can be an exciting time to reinvent yourself and start over but I quite liked who I was and I loved where I came from. It feels different when you’re not running from something. If you asked Matt, you’d get an entirely different perspective and that is totally fine by me. I know the main reason I’m here is to follow his dream, just like he lived in Portland for 10+ years to follow mine. I’m also excited about who we’re both going to be after our time here. We only have 5 year visas so it feels important to experience as much as we can in the amount of time we’ve been gifted. We’ve already met the kindest people who have been incredibly open and generous which does make the transition easier on the ole heart.

I’ve been going pretty hard on the job hunt! It’s been fun applying for positions I might not have applied for back home and I’m looking forward to joining a team here. Having work will definitely help me feel a bit more grounded and I’m looking forward to that. I’m a creature of habit (who also loves a good time) but being in this place of uncertainty for months and months has started to take a bit of a toll and I’m ready to create routines again. Hopefully, I’ll have some type of work lined up by the end of the week (that’s tomorrow!) and Matt started his new job today, which I know he’s going to be brilliant at. He’s quite brilliant at most things he does.

I feel quite fortunate that we haven’t had a super hard time meeting people, especially in the neighborhood. Everyone seems quite open to connecting and as mentioned before, we’ve been pretty lucky with the folks we’ve met and they’re as lovely as you’d imagine someone living in New Zealand would be. There is a warmness here which you pick up on immediately. It’s not uncommon to have chats with someone at the grocery store and then they’re texting you for coffee. I quite like that a lot as Matt and I are of the same nature. And the accents? To die for.

But that earthquake?! You guys! That….was not my favorite. Last night, there was a 5.6 earthquake (well, actually two or three!) and we felt them. The entire house was shaking and wobbling and it was absolutely wild. Matt was standing outside on the driveway during the first one and said it felt like standing on a waterbed. Nope, nope, nope. The second one happened when we were both inside and we just jumped up and and stared at each other until it passed because what can you do?! Then we went back to making soup but I was slightly disoriented the rest of the evening. It seems they’re fairly common here so add that to the list of things I’m having to get used to…like driving.

Ya’ll, I have my own car. Lord, have MERCY the time has come. If you didn't now, I haven’t owned a car in over 10 years and drove maybe 2-3 times a year while living in Portland. I biked, rode the bus and walked everywhere (including work) and absolutely loved that part of my life. Bike commuting is something I’m missing the most and have shed a few tears over the PDX bike lanes and sunset bridge rides. As crusty as she is, I freaking miss Portland every day. While at the same time, feeling very grateful to be here. However long this season lasts.

I’m headed off to a clay studio to make a few Halloween ghosts! It’s officially Spring in New Zealand while also being spooky season?! That’s going to be an interesting one to wrap my brain around. The cherry blossoms are already out and they’re gorgeous against the surrounding mountains and lakes. Yes, this also means we’re getting two summers this year! Maybe it’s working out for us, after all.

As always, thanks for reading. I have no idea what I’m doing (just in general) but it feels nice to share with you. Xo!

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Let’s Chat Visas!

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:59:28 GMT

Well, we officially did it!

After wildly long travel days made even more complicated with Matt’s injury, we made it to our new home in Queenstown & so far, we’re settling in quite nicely. But before I share more about that, let’s talk about how we got here, because our process was long and a bit gnarly at times.

About three years ago, we spent 6 weeks traveling New Zealand in a camper van and after that trip, we were pretty sold on beginning the visa process. I started following Kiwi Americans on Instagram and Tara mentioned Working In New Zealand, which is an immigration adviser that helps with every step of the visa & relocation process. They offered a free appraisal to see if we were good candidates for the move and with Matt’s background in construction and project management, we found out we had a shot. We then moved forward with a contract to receive their full services and help in preparing all paperwork and eventually applying for our visas. The full service cost around $5,000 NZD ($2,990 USD) and it was worth every penny. We couldn’t have navigated all the paperwork, changes and visa processing on our own. I can’t recommend them enough.

One thing we didn’t realize was to acquire visas, one of us needed a job offer from an accredited business in New Zealand. We had begun applying for jobs about two years ago and hit wall after wall after wall. And by wall, I mean complete silence and zero responses. We were sending LinkedIn messages, emailing businesses, reaching out on Instagram, applying via Seek (a NZ job seeking platform) and weren’t hearing back from anybody. Now I understand why. We set the dream aside for a few months because it was stagnant without a job offer and it felt pretty impossible. During this time, we were kicked out of our 5 year rental home because our landlord needed to move back in and I was laid off from my job. We decided to give it another go and that’s when I got a crazy idea. A Hail Mary, if you will. If we weren’t hearing from anyone in New Zealand about jobs, we’d go to them. So last February, Matt boarded a flight with a stack of printed CV’s and a list of construction companies in a few different cities around the country. He spent two weeks going door to door, introducing himself, asking for interviews or job opportunities and making connections with anyone he could. He would drive past a construction sign, then look up their general office and show up with a CV, a handshake and a smile. Sometimes, when you’ve got nothing left to lose, shooting your shot is the only option. And sometimes, it actually works.

Matt left with a job offer in Queenstown which allowed us to apply for an Accredited Work Visa for Matt and a Partner Visa for me, which gives us 5 years in New Zealand. We moved 5 months later after loads of paperwork, health checks, support letters written on our behalf, background checks and a lot of tears + even more second guessing. To be honest, Queenstown is stunning but it wasn’t our first choice. However, it’s where doors have opened and we’re happy to have landed here. It’s wildly expensive (the most expensive place to live in the whole country!) but we spent the last two years saving and selling most of our things in preparation. Portland, OR was also very expensive so in a way, we felt somewhat prepared. Will it work out? I can’t say for sure but we’re delusionally optimistic about most things and we aren’t stopping now.

We feel very grateful for a chance to move abroad and New Zealand is an amazing country to call home for the next few years. I’m in awe of this place. I’m in awe of the people we’ve met & excited about those we’ve yet to meet. Everyone has been kind & helpful & we plan to keep exploring + learning all we can about the beautiful culture here. So many good things to see & it already feels like we’re running short on time. Like Matt always says - ‘Cool people do cool shit.’ So here goes nothing!

As always, thanks for being here & for sharing your time with me. Feels special.

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Current Hyperfixations

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:15:16 GMT

Reading: Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe
If you’ve ever experienced loss or have questions about what happens when we cross over, this has been a really interesting and comforting read, written by a renowned psychic medium.

Wearing: These Keen sandals
Not only are they cute (obsessed with the confetti!) but they’re the perfect summer shoe. Great for the river, bike rides, walking around town, hiking trails and even nights out with the girls!

Restocking: This hydrating toner
I’ve never regularly used toner before, until this, and I’m hooked. I bought extra bottles for our move because I’m so nervous I won’t be able to find it in New Zealand!

Listening To: Spooked Podcast
August means spooky season is almost here (!) and this is one of my favorite podcasts in the late summer/early fall. It’s full of true life supernatural stories but not so scary that you won’t be able to sleep at night. It’s called balance.

Watching: The Odyssey movie
A crew of us went to see The Odyssey in 70 mm at one of Portland’s iconic movie theaters, Hollywood Theater. What a ride!! We loved it.

Drinking: So much tea
Smith Tea will always be our favorite bagged tea. So many flavorful blends and the highest quality. We’re taking 4 huge bags in our checked bags because I’m going to need it during New Zealand winter.

Eating: Chicken and Rice from Nong’s
My favorite comfort meal in Portland so I’m getting it weekly until we leave. I’ll miss it everyday.

Supporting: Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
This has been one of the worst fire seasons on record in Oregon. If you’re wondering how to help, the OVFA is accepting donations. They’re fighting the good fight for our trees, beloved spaces, animals and this beautiful place.

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Choosing to Leave the Love of My Life

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:46:06 GMT

Twenty years ago, I had my palm read by a complete stranger mid-flight. The why is a story for another time but there were several things this stranger said that I still reflect on from time to time. One of them being that I would have two great loves of my life - one love I had already experienced and the second was still in my future. After living in Portland, OR for the last ten years, I’m fully convinced this city is the first love of my life and my husband, Matt, is the second. The feeling of being in love with a place is hard to describe if you’ve never been completely enchanted by a city. When I’m in Portland, connections are easily made, doors open, I recognize opportunities everywhere, there is magic happening all around me and I never grow tired of noticing. I feel seen and more at home here than anywhere else in the world. And in one week, I’m hopping on a one way flight to Queenstown and I’m leaving. Willingly.

For as long as I’ve known my husband, New Zealand has been a part of his story. In his early 20s, he walked across the entire country on a 1,900 mile hike called the Te Araroa. He explored the North and South Islands on foot for 6 months and when he returned to the US, one of his dreams was to go back to New Zealand and live there for an extended period of time. I’ve always known there was a chance I’d end up going back with him but after our most recent visit together in 2024, we decided to move forward with securing visas and making this international move a reality. Portland will always be my dream city but I now feel an excitement about making New Zealand home, at least for a few years. Here are my reasons:

The entire country is unbelievably beautiful. Mountains, beaches, lakes, hot springs, hiking trails, snow covered hills, rolling meadows full of baby lambs, waterfalls and the list goes on and on. I’ve traveled all over the world and New Zealand is the most stunning place I’ve ever experienced. It’s other worldly.

The deep kindness of the people. During my visit, people were warm, generous, easy going, witty and seem generally happy. Chatting with strangers in lines at coffee shops is the norm. Phones aren’t the focus. People invited us over for meals, offered to let us stay in their homes, let us borrow outdoor gear and so many other generous acts from strangers. It’s not rare to meet a Kiwi and soon become friends for life. It was almost alarming until you realize nobody wants anything from you in return. They’re truly just that nice.

The pace of life is slower. Yes, it’s a tiny island so there is less to do and less convenience but I plan to enjoy the ritual of cooking more meals at home, planting a garden, spending more time outside and stop focusing so much of my life on a 9-5 job. Instead of twenty brilliant coffee shops right outside my front door, maybe I’ll have one but that feels ok for now. They say New Zealand has the best work life balance in the world. I’m interested.

Baby lambs that you can bottle feed. I feel that speaks for itself.

I know they don’t have it perfect but the government does seem to care about its citizens, offering universal healthcare, 4 weeks PTO + paid holidays + sick days (standard practice even for part time employees!), general safety and strict gun laws to name a few. Over the six weeks I was there, I think I saw 3 law enforcement officers? And was pretty surprised to learn they don’t routinely carry firearms. I typically don’t feel unsafe in Portland but as a woman, I’m constantly on high alert. New Zealand is the only place in the world where I completely let my guard down. My hypervigilance didn’t exist and I could feel my central nervous system reset. At one point, our Queenstown Airbnb host gave us the keys but said we probably wouldn't need them. People leave their bikes out without locks. You can leave your windows open all night and day without worry. Coming from a bigger city, all of this blew my mind.

Nature is the absolute focus. You won’t see billboards blocking mountain views and you start to feel what it’s like to not be marketed to every time you turn around. People in New Zealand take great pride in their country and work together to carry on sustainable practices to keep the land and animals safe. It’s not political to protect, it’s a true way of life. There are no predators (lions, bears, wolves) and no poisonous snakes or spiders. (But there are pesky sandflies and they’re the absolute devil.) Lakes, hot springs, beaches and popular hikes are absolutely pristine. We never saw trash or bottles left behind and we visited some very high traffic areas as well as some remote spots.

People are extremely active. It’s not uncommon to see people in their 70s, 80s and older outdoors hiking, biking, running and swimming. I was constantly getting passed by older women on the trails and you know what, hell yeah. I remember one shorter hike I didn’t want to try because it seemed too steep for me and I overheard a group of older ladies beside me say they do this hike multiple times a day with their friends, every day. Humbled me real good.

The food is fresh and you can taste the difference. There are way less chemicals than what we eat in the US and I could taste it in everything, even candy. New Zealand candy and treats are unreal! We bring back bags of candy as souvenirs every time we go - Pineapple Lumps, Hokey Pokey Honeycomb, MallowPuffs. If you haven’t tried, you must. They have a wide variety of fresh produce and crops year round and I’m excited to visit the farms and markets.

Lastly, I think it’s important to switch things up sometimes. To choose to put yourself into new and uncomfortable situations. I believe we need friction points in our live to keep us growing and this feels like a really beautiful and exciting point of friction. We’re taking the jump, letting the story tell itself and I’m seeing if I have the capacity to fall in love again. Thanks for following along.

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Current Hyperfixations

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:01:49 GMT

Listening To: Normal Gossip Podcast
If you love gossip & crazy stories about other people (and let’s get real, we all do) then this podcast is an absolute treat.

On repeat: Look at My Life
If there was ever a song to sum up my current mental state, this is it. I think I’ve played it at least 100 times already and it’s also a total summer bop.

Reading: Mad Mabel
One of those novels I couldn’t put down and found guilty of reading late into the night. Friendship, a little dark humor, murder and humanity all in one place.

Wearing: These comfie pants
Pajamas you can wear outside and look good doing it.

Watching: Widow’s Bay
Apple TV really did something with this one. For a spooky season queen like myself, it’s the perfect suspenseful watch that isn’t gory. It’s clever, funny and I love the characters. A must watch this summer.

Restocking: Elderberry Immune Support Spray
This is a magical elixir of life that I’ll use daily until I die. I haven’t been sick in over 2 years and this is to blame. It tastes amazing and is all natural + affordable.

Supporting: Dollar For
Dollar For crushes hospital bills by making hospital financial assistance known, easy and fair. I’ve supported this organization for almost 10 years and they’re changing people’s lives. If you’ve ever found yourself crushed by medical debt, or know someone who has, please check them out.

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I Was Supposed To Be On A Plane Right Now

Laura Elizabeth Arbo — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:17:49 GMT

On July 29th, just six days before our international move to New Zealand, my husband fell 25 feet from the sky in a freak paragliding accident. The fall onto his back resulted in a spinal fracture and a terrifying night in the emergency room. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as we had to be moved out of our Portland, OR apartment the following day and had already sold or shipped most everything we owned, including vehicles. Our international move was supposed to be August 4th. We quickly realized we wouldn’t be on that plane to Queenstown and overnight were faced with the hard reality that we had no jobs, no health insurance, no car, no way to make our scheduled flight, nowhere to stay and the financial stress of a medical emergency. Oh, and not much money as we’d already wired half our savings to our international bank account and those funds were unaccessible until we visited the bank in person. All of our current possessions fit into 10 checked bags we had meticulously packed in preparation for our upcoming flight.

I’m writing this one week later, safe and sound despite it all. Within an hour of the accident, the ER waiting room was full of our closest friends who waited with me through the night. We were able to move in with old neighbors, who are letting us stay in their guest room for as long as we need while having access to their cars. We rescheduled our one way flights to Queenstown for August 17th and secured rides to the airport and help with the luggage as Matt is unable to carry more than 10 pounds for the next 6-8 weeks. We’ve had people drop off meals, offer us places to stay, vehicles to use, and it goes on and on. This might sound crazy, but the past week has almost felt like the easy part.

After the accident, one of the biggest truths we were faced with is how completely alone we’re about to be. A brand new country without the years and years of community and connections we have in Portland. We’ve been dreaming about and planning this international move for years but the reality of being across the world didn’t fully hit until a life altering emergency, where we were totally dependent on our beloved community. Now, we’re trying to figure out the simplest things. Things like - How do we get our luggage to our rental car after we land if Matt can’t carry anything? Who do we call if we have another emergency? Where do we go for physical therapy or follow up x-rays? It’s not ideal to begin our new life feeling weak, scared and vulnerable but that’s exactly what we’re doing. It will probably feel hard and lonely for a while.

I know the people of New Zealand are deeply kind and deeply generous. I’ve experienced it. We’ve spent enough time there to know we want to be apart of this beautiful community and that’s a huge reason for our move, however, we were hoping we’d join without one of us being literally broken. Even in the unknown, we are still feeling hopeful and excited. It doesn’t change our plans and we’re moving forward, moving through our anxiousness and our fear. A dear friend recently shared this with me: When life throws you a million curve balls, know that you are right where you are supposed to be. I have seen it time and time again. The path with no resistance isn’t tied to purpose.

So this is our new beginning. Already messy. Already complicated. Already extremely difficult before we’ve even entered our new country. I have a lot more to share about why we chose New Zealand, how we obtained our visas, our experience working with an immigration advisor and soon, all about our new life in Queenstown. But for now, know we’re feeling a little fragile while also fully thankful because in spite of it all, there’s so much beauty to be experienced. Thanks for being here and I hope you stick around. I truly believe it’s about to get really, really good.

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