I read a Herald article last week which has been part of an employment-based theme that has been taking place for the last decade or so.
Highly skilled professionals who are sick of big city mortgages and costs, take their industry leading skills and work experience to the provinces. I have a number of friends who have done this successfully, selling their house in town and using this capital to set themselves up very nicely in Dunedin, Whanganui and Oamaru. For many, the transition is seamless, trading a high-paying job with a lot of responsibility for a role in beautiful rural New Zealand, with less stress and more family time.
The "Overqualified" trap
However, for many, it's not smooth sailing, as they are seen as "far too overqualified" for a role they can (and genuinely wish to) do standing on their head.
A good friend who has been an industry leader across the national marketing and PR industry, decided to make this transition recently. However for her, it has not been all smooth sailing. She has found many employers and managers are threatened by the skills and expertise she can bring to the local market, locking her out of great new personal and employment opportunities.