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Country Living vs. City Living in New Zealand

Country living vs. city living in New Zealand is a big topic. Rising house prices in the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch can prompt even the most ardent city dwellers to consider a less complicated country life. City life is expensive. Median house prices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch tempt some to consider higher life quality areas like Waikato, Waiarapa, Canterbury, and Central Otago. Here are some of the pros and cons of country living vs. city living in New Zealand:
 

Auckland

Auckland is a big city. About 1.5 million people live here. Some people like it, but some don’t. Consistently cited cons for life in Auckland include:

  • Residents say they’re pressed for time. Driving is a big chore, and traffic jams and congested roads cause headaches.
  • Parking is limited.
  • Public transport is difficult to figure out. 
  • The cost of living in is high. Some can’t afford even an entry level house. There’s a lot of competition for rental properties.

The pros of living in Auckland include:

  • Residents love the terrain and climate. Auckland is the warmest major city centre in NZ. 
  • The beaches and islands are gorgeous. It’s possible to get to the beach on either coast in about an hour from Auckland. Lion Rock at Piha, North Head in Devonport, Pt Chevalier Beach, Mission Bay, and Waiheke Island are enjoy sunsets and beachy dinners.
  • The Hauraki Gulf is beautiful and fishing here is great.
  • Nightlife in Auckland Center and cultural events throughout the city are plentiful. There’s a relaxed vibe here and people prefer casual dress.
  • People are friendly and the population is diverse.
  • The economy is strong. Shopping and restaurants are varied and plentiful. It’s easy to eat well throughout the city, and many say the coffee served here is the best on the planet.

 

Country Life in Waikato

Although commuting to an Auckland job from Waikato region is challenging, some people do it. The distance between Waikato and Auckland is about 90 miles, about 1-1/2 hours on the road. Some who move to Waikato start a new business or work from a home office. Agricultural jobs, like dairy farming, or agriculturally-related bio-tech jobs, forestry or coal mining jobs are often available. Cons of living in the Waikato include:

  • If you’re used to living in a larger city, it may be a bit of culture shock at first.
  • Average house prices throughout the region—including Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, and Palmerston North—are rising. Although the average home price is more affordable than Auckland, it’s about $345,000 now.

Most residents say they love living here. Pros include:

  • The pace of life is relaxed and residents enjoy a greater sense of community. Just 416,200 people make their home here, so there’s more privacy.
  • It’s possible to buy a bigger house and enjoy more than 2,000 hours of sunshine/year.
  • Residential suburbs and new housing adds to the supply of homes. 
  • Cambridge (Lake Karapiro) and Matamata are popular.
  • The Waitomo Caves are about an hour’s drive from the city centre. It’s a fun day trip.

 

Wellington

Wellington is the country’s capital. About 400,000 people live here (about 11 percent). Many Kiwis prefer Wellington to Auckland because it’s more livable (ranked 12th in the world by Mercer Quality of Living Survey). The National Symphony, Royal NZ Ballet, National Library, National Archives, National Art Gallery, two universities, and lots of theatres are here. Cons of life in Wellington include:

  • Current housing costs and overall high cost of living mean that more than half of residents rent because they can’t afford to buy.
  • Commuting into the centre can be challenging. Bus and railway systems, as well as trolleybuses, aren’t always reliable.
  • Few suburban options for residents: about 99 percent who work in Wellington also live here.

The pros of living in greater Wellington include:

  • Wellington’s median income is above average in the nation. Low unemployment is another reason people like living here. Government and agencies are the primary employers.
  • Once you’re in the city proper, it’s easy to get around. Most walk or bike.
  •  Lots of cultural activities, including festivals, films, music, dance, and comedy, are great, low-cost fun.
  • Bays and beaches, such as Scorching Bay (Miramar), Lyall Bay (surfers love it), Island Bay, and Oriental Bay, are among the world’s most beautiful. 
  • The relaxed “café culture” and many restaurants are frequent reasons residents say they love the city.
  • A variety of universities and colleges, such as Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, National School of Music and more.

 

Wairapara

Wairapara, a Maroi name that means Land of the Glistening Waters is located on the other side of the southern part of North Island. It’s approximately one to two hours away from Wellington by car and part of the NZ Wine Trail, a route that traces through Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. Wairapara’s largest town is Masterton. A train service (from Masteron, Featherston, and Carterton) is available for commuters. There are few cons associated with Wairapara life:

  • A small population base and relatively few employers inspires some residents to start or buy a business or franchise.
  • An estimated 13,500 commute from Wairapara to Wellington jobs.
  • Agricultural businesses dominate the region, including dairy farming, sheep/beef/farming and forestry. Several thriving vineyards are in Masterton, Martinborough, and Carterton.

Pros to living in Wairapara district are many:

  • Wairapara is breathtakingly beautiful. There’s plenty of wild landscape to explore
  • Cape Palliser (seal colony) and the lighthouse. Castlepoint Scenic Reserve is about 45 minutes away from Masterton. 
  • Matakona and its beaches are about 10 minutes away from there. 
  • At Riversdale, residents enjoy fishing, snorkeling, boating, and golfing.
  • The Classic Wine Trail is a 240 mile route with lots of stops is right here. Residents enjoy fresh chocolates, microbrews, oils, sheepsmilk cheeses, wines, and more.
  • Cycle trail and touring routes, road cycling, mountain biking, aviation, hot air ballooning, horse racing, and arts and crafts festivals. 
  • House prices are relatively affordable. South Wairapara homes cost less (average less than $300,000) than those in Masterton and Carterton (average $330,000).

 

Christchurch and Canterbury

Christchurch is the Canterbury region’s largest city. It’s located on the South Island’s eastern coast. About 382,000 people live in Christchurch proper and about 550,000 people live in the region. Canterbury’s residents are an ingenious group. Unemployment is consistently below the national average. Most residents report themselves as “Professionals” or self-employed people. Employers in information technology, manufacturing, engineering, finance/insurance, health care, retail, and accommodation hire regional workers. The cons of living in the region include:

  • Less concentrated population and employer base means less potential mobility for workers.
  • A high cost of living and housing can make it harder to buy a house. 
  • Earthquakes (2010, 2011) caused some residents to leave the region.

The pros of living in Christchurch and Canterbury are plentiful:

  • Residents love the work/life balance of the area. If you’ve ever wanted to stretch entrepreneurial wings, this could be the place for you.
  • Canterbury is considered an “adventurer’s playground”—the Pacific Ocean, Canterbury Plains, and Banks Peninsula surround the region. The majestic Southern Alps are also close by, along with resort areas of Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Wanaka. 
  • Lots of weekend getaway ideas are also close-by. Enjoy golfing, skiing, surfing, fishing, whale watching, mountain biking, hiking trails and walking tracks within two-hours from the city centre. 
  • There are 740 city parks and international air/seaports.
  • Two polytechnic institutes and three universities are located in the Christchurch area.

All in all, the country living vs. city living in NZ debate is about living the life of your dreams. If you’re yearning for a more relaxed lifestyle, raising a young family, or planning life after retirement, country life might be right for you. If you’re looking for a job or starting a new career, city life may be the solution. Either way, services like Conroy Removals can help make your dream come true.