King (33) has signed a contract to head to French club Montepellier, saying simply the timing was right after more than a decade of first-class rugby in New Zealand.
''I think I have been here for 13 years playing rugby, and down here for 10 years, and it was just a different challenge for me. Something me and the family could do. Go and see the rest of the world,'' he said.
''I have been to Africa 14 times and the chance to live on the edge of the Mediterranean does not come along that often. For me, it was good timing.
''I have had the opportunities to go to other places over the years but the timing has not been quite right. I've played enough time here so this is the next stage of life, really.''
King will join up with a former tight forward mate, Tom Donnelly, and an old flatmate, Anthony Tuitavake, who were all together in the Highlanders in 2005.
King heads to France in August and said it was a deal which came about quickly.
''I talked to the wife [Emma] and she was pretty keen to go. She'd just started work again and as she was getting ready to go to work on Monday I said, `Are you keen to go to the south of France?'''In the end, it was a pretty quick decision. But one I'm pretty happy with.''
He has signed a one-year deal with Montpellier and envisages playing for a couple more years.
King has been one of the most versatile props in New Zealand rugby but has never got a national call-up.
''Everyone has a a childhood dream of wanting to play for the All Blacks. That has never eventuated for me. But I leave the country with no regrets, really. You could have been an injury away, but you never know.''
He expects French rugby to be more brutal and physical than in New Zealand and the scrummaging to be tough.
King, who has two daughters, Chloe (5) and Alexis (5 months), has played more than 100 games for the Highlanders and still has this season to complete, hoping to make the playoffs for the first time.
''Hopefully we can carry on. It we beat the Chiefs next week that'll put us in the hunt for the semifinals. We have chipped away and at times we haven't played as well as we should have.
"This year we are starting to perform and as long as we can continue that we'll be there or thereabouts.''
King will play half a game tonight for the Highlanders against the New Zealand Barbarians.
It is being treated as more than a festival match by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph. He said positions were at stake in the remaining three games, so the match tonight was not simply a runaround.
''In the last four weeks of the competition I don't think we have played all that well ...
"That comes from guys just not playing as well as they did at the start of the season,'' he said.
''That may come from the length of the season and guys who are fatigued. A lot of our players have had injuries and have been playing though they haven't necessarily been 100% fit. But the team has needed them to play.
''We have given them a complete 10 days rest and freshened them up and now they have to play well.''
Positions open include prop, hooker and lock, while the midfield will also be interesting.
There are chance for some Otago players to show some their abilities, although showers forecast for Invercargill may have an impact on the game.
Highlanders v New Zealand Barbarians
Invercargill, tonight, 6.30pm
Highlanders
First half: Trent Renata, Richard Buckman, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Jayden Spence, Lima Sopoaga, Frae Wilson, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames.
Second half: Renata, Gavin Stark, Winston Stanley, Shaun Treeby, Spence, Hayden Parker, Scott Eade, Dixon, Hardie, TJ Ioane, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Scott Manson, Ged Robinson, Chris King.
Barbarians (from): Bryan Milne, Jamie Verran, Keanu Kuhukura, Yastaka Sasakura, Willis Halohalo, Tei Walden, Rico Gear, Broc Hooper, Willie Ripia, Nick Ealey, Toby Morland, Bill Fukofuka, Jon Dampney, Gareth Evans, Craig Smith, You Youngnam, Michael Fatialofa, Alex Ainley, Alex Hodgman, JP Keon, Morgan Mitchell, Ross Geldenhuys, Brayden Mitchell.
Three key players
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph says positions are open and a good performance tonight may decide some spots. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at three players who have something to play for in Invercargill tonight.
John Hardie
Has been forced to play second fiddle behind Shane Christie for much of the year and then picked up a knee injury against the Lions. Should do well on his home track and has the advantage of likely being on the dominant side.
Scott Manson
With Chris King leaving and Matias Diaz unlikely to return, the Highlanders are in the market for props. Manson has been hampered by injury over the past couple of years but has been back playing club rugby for the past few weeks. A good game tonight will have him in contention.
Jarrad Hoeata
Cardiff awaits for Hoeata but before then he must play to his best in the remaining games for the Highlanders. Tom Franklin is coming up fast and Josh Bekhuis is back from injury, so the pressure is on Hoeata to come out and perform.