Moving into an apartment comes with a whole bunch of perks. You get great views, have a cosy space that you can make your own, and you’re usually in a fantastic, central location. Some cities are more suited to apartment living than others. Here’s our list of the five best cities in New Zealand for apartment living.

Auckland

As New Zealand’s biggest city by far, Auckland tops our list for apartment living. Apartments are abundant in Auckland, with the most popular spots being the CBD and nearby neighbourhoods like Parnell and Ponsonby. Though apartments for sale and rent are more expensive in Auckland than in the rest of the country, it certainly pays off being in a prime spot like the CBD. It likely sheds hours off your commute to work each week, and the views from central Auckland are amazing: harbours, wharfs, the ocean, and city streets are all right in front of you.

Christchurch

Christchurch is next on the list due to its bustling population and vast options for apartment living. The best spots to look for apartments in Christchurch are also very central. The CBD is a prime spot for apartments, along with the northern suburbs of St Albans and Edgeware and the southern suburb of Sydenham. The other great thing about property in Christchurch is that it’s significantly cheaper than in Auckland and Wellington.

Wellington

The coolest capital city in the world also has to be mentioned on this list. With fantastic options for apartment living in Wellington, you’ll enjoy a central location in a city that’s already known for easy traffic conditions. Check out inner city suburbs of Te Aro, Newtown and, of course, Wellington Central.

Hamilton

Hamilton is another great spot for apartment living – and you won’t be paying the high prices of Auckland and Wellington when you move there. Hamilton CBD is the most popular place for apartments, but if you want a little more breathing space, try inner city suburbs like Whitiora, Maeroa and, across the river, Hamilton East.

Napier

Napier has some absolute gems. Apartments in Napier are often located in the central suburbs by the beach. Ahuriri is one of our favourite spots as it’s super close to the city centre, yet situated on the waterfront, so apartments in Ahuriri all come with stellar views. Napier South is one of the busiest areas, so if you like a bustling suburb, it has some great apartment options for you.

Quality apartments can be found everywhere in New Zealand. To move into one, contact the team at New Zealand Movers. As New Zealand’s leading residential and commercial moving team, they help Kiwis get settled in their dream apartments quickly and affordably. Get a quote from New Zealand Movers in less than 60 seconds today.

Moving to London is basically a ritual for us Kiwis. Whether you’re fulfilling your OE, moving for work, or relocating with the family, there is something for everyone in London.

London is one of the world’s cultural capitals – a huge metropolis with a population that’s almost double that of our entire country, sitting at almost nine million people. In this article, we’ll give you the rundown on our top reasons to move to London and what you need to get you there.

Why move to London?

There are plenty of solid reasons to call London home, whether you’re a young professional, couple, or family. Jobs, education, culture, and entertainment are all among the top reasons.

Job opportunities

London is a big place, and the job market is booming, there’s a high demand for workers in retail, healthcare, education, science, technology, engineering, creative studies, and hospitality.

Whether you’re young and adventurous and plan to do casual work or take the next step in your career London is the place to do it.

Education

Some of the world’s most prestigious and famous universities are located within an hour from London, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities. There are plenty of other universities in the city of London too, like University of London and University College London.

Culture

Living in a different part of the world is an enriching experience, and when you live in London, there’s plenty to enrich you. As one of the cultural capitals of the world, you’re never short of an art gallery, concert venue, sports stadium or anything else that will make you go, ‘wow.’

Family life in London

Families who move to London enjoy greater job opportunities, fantastic educational facilities and a high quality of life.

Popular areas for family living in London include Richmond for its strong community feel and top-rated schools. The suburb has breath-taking open green spaces and public gardens, perfect for family picnics and outdoor activities.

And we can’t forget Sutton, a suburb with one of the lowest crime rates across all of London. With high quality schools, and wonderful green spaces it is no wonder residents rank as some of the happiest in London.

What you need to move to London

Moving to London is quite easy for Kiwis. First, you’ll need to apply for a visa; Kiwis have many options for visas in the UK, including student, work, and spousal.

It is recommended you apply for your visa at least three months before you intend to move.

And, finally, you’ll also need an experienced team of professional movers who specialise in overseas moves. New Zealand Movers ship Kiwis and their possessions all over the world, having helped countless New Zealanders become bonified Londoners.

With the right expertise and affordable rates, New Zealand Movers make your international move as smooth and efficient as possible. Contact the team to learn more today.

Wellington has been dubbed the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ – so, from the name, you can tell that there’s lots to attract young people.

In this article, we focus on the best neighbourhoods for young professionals in the cool little capital of Wellington.

Te Aro

One of the best neighbourhoods for young professionals is Te Aro. It’s got all the features of a vibrant, happening suburb: hip cafes that serve amazing coffee, upmarket restaurants, sprawling bars, and lots of people. Cuba Street is the main attraction in the city, known for its artsy feel with vintage stores, quirky cafes, record stores, and loads of art galleries.

Apart from being uber cool, Te Aro is also in a prime spot. It’s pretty much in the heart of the city without feeling too corporate or commercialised.

Brooklyn

Forget New York: Wellington’s Brooklyn is the place to be. It’s a great spot for young professionals who don’t mind living slightly further out of the city… and when we say ‘slightly further out’, we’re talking about a 10-minute drive to the CBD! Brooklyn is perched on a hill and is known for its Californian bungalows, Victorian villas, and collection of stunning parks.

There are a few fantastic cafes and eateries near Ohio Road, the main commercial road in Brooklyn, and there’s even the Penthouse Cinema, an art deco theatre built-in 1939.

Oriental Bay

Beach lovers and exercise enthusiasts will instantly fall in love with Oriental Bay. This seaside suburb is super close to the CBD and right next door to all the action in Te Aro. Not only is it one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in Wellington, it’s also popular with fitness fanatics. A gorgeous cycling track meanders around the beach, taking a ‘scenic ride’ to the next level.

Newtown

The list of best suburbs for young professionals in Wellington simply wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Newtown. There are cute cafes, op shops, and character buildings to look at everywhere. Walk down the main strip, Riddiford Street, and you’ll see what we mean. What’s more, Newtown is, at most, an 11-minute drive to the CBD.

Wellington Movers at New Zealand Movers have moved plenty of young professionals, singles, and couples, into their stylish, new homes of Wellington. Known nationwide for their outstanding service, meticulous packing, and affordable prices, give New Zealand Movers a call or request a moving quote when you’re ready to move to the windy city!

Mountains, rivers and lakes, stunning cities with unique atmospheres, globally top-ranked universities need we say more about the Otago region? Otago is one of the most beautiful and liveable regions in New Zealand, so there’s no wonder why you’re contemplating moving there. Today, we’ll set you on the right path and outline five top reasons to move to Otago.

Education

Otago is basically synonymous with ‘fantastic education’. The facilities in Otago are some of the world’s best for education: The University of Otago, in Dunedin, consistently ranks within the top 1% of universities in the world. Dunedin is known as a student town, with many kiwis and international students flocking to the beautiful city to get their degrees.

Family life

Family life in Otago is simply a dream. It’s perfect for all ages, from young ones to grandparents. Otago is a great place to raise children with many great primary and high schools, like Mount Aspiring School in Wanaka and King’s High School in Dunedin.

As you could imagine, Weekends are never dull – especially if you choose to live in Queenstown – the adventure capital of New Zealand – or close to it.

Jobs

Otago is a particularly great region to live in if you’re in education, tourism, technology, or any creative fields. Dunedin, for example, became a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in 2014, so if you’re an aspiring novelist, writer, or simply a book lover, your skills will be welcomed in Otago. Likewise, tourism is a huge part of the region. Adventure sports in Queenstown draws a massive amount of tourists each year, as do nature-based holidays in the region. And, as education is such an integral part of the region, teachers and university lecturers are always in high demand.

Housing prices

If the house prices on the North Island are getting to you, it’s time to check out Otago. While the median house price in Auckland is around $1.25mil in the Otago region, it is $721,000 – almost half that of Auckland. Moving to Otago is not only great for your family but great for your wallet too.

Nature

As humans, we crave being close to nature. Whether you’re a full-on outdoor adventure type who loves nothing more than camping, hiking, and water-skiing or have a more casual relationship with nature, Otago is the best place to get away from the hustle and bustle of a big city and appreciate the great outdoors.

Ready to move to Otago? Get in touch with New Zealand Movers. They’re your experts in intercity and international moves, helping you get settled in the Otago region, wherever you’re coming from.

New Zealand Movers pride themselves on a professional, affordable service, offering full-scale moves with packing and storage included if necessary. Get a quote from New Zealand Movers today.

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Moving house soon? You’ve sorted out where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and what day is the big move. But what about how long it will take? You need to make sure you’ve covered everything off in your diary – most notably work commitments.

The answer depends on a few different factors: the number of items you have, where you’re moving to, and the efficiency of your moving team. Let’s take a closer look.

How big is your home?

There’s a pretty clear relationship between the size of the home and the speed of moving. The bigger your house is, the more possessions you have and the more time it will take to move everything. Families of four and more usually take a few hours to move all their stuff. Your moving team should allocate the whole day to moving your belongings (if it’s a local, same-city move) but should only take 4.5-6 hours to get it all done. Singles and couples can usually get their stuff moved within three or four hours.

Where are you moving to?

Whether you’re moving across the street or across the globe, you should find a friendly, professional moving team who knows their stuff. Of course, the further away you move, the longer it’ll take to get your things there. Allow a couple of days for intercity moves and several weeks for international moves. There are two primary transport options for international relocations, Air freight and sea freight. Air freight is a significantly faster option than sea freight however is usually more expensive.

In the current COVID climate, there are significant delays will international shipping. To find out more about how long it will take for international moves, contact the team at New Zealand Movers.

When are you moving?

Let’s not forget good, old traffic. The day you choose to move will also be a factor in how long it takes to move house. Weekdays, between the morning and evening rush, is usually the quickest time to get your possessions from A to B. Weekends might be more convenient, but traffic tends to be consistently busy.

Other considerations

Whether you need additional services may also influence the time it takes to move. Consider your need for full-scale moving services, including packing, storage, and unpacking.

Which team of movers are you choosing?

And, finally, one of the most important decisions is who you hire to move your household effects. A team of amateur movers won’t get the job done as efficiently as a team of professionals like New Zealand Movers.

New Zealand Movers pride themselves on highly organised, efficient, and time- and saving moving services. They’re one of the country’s leading companies for relocations, helping Kiwi families get into their new homes sooner. Give New Zealand Movers a call 0800 000 022 today for a fast, affordable quote.

Sandy beaches, family-friendly suburbs, and a fast-growing population: Auckland’s North Shore is one of the best urban areas in New Zealand.

From chic, beachside neighbourhoods like Devonport to the family-orientated suburbs of Albany, the North Shore offers a range of diverse living options.

Here are our top 5 reasons to move to Auckland‘s North Shore.

A range of quality suburbs

The North Shore is a large urban area of Auckland, and within it lies many top suburbs. Two of Auckland’s most sought-after suburbs, Takapuna and Devonport, known for their beaches, community feel, upmarket retail, and café scene, are located on the North Shore about 20 minutes from the city centre.

A little further north, you have the suburbs of Rosedale and Albany, which present perfect options for family life. Houses are slightly more affordable in these areas compared to Devonport and Takapuna.

Education

Some of New Zealand’s best schools are located on Auckland’s North Shore. The prestigious Takapuna Grammar School is consistently top-ranked in the country, along with Westlake Boys’ High School and Carmel College being local favourites.

Giving your children the best education possible is the aim of every loving parent and moving to the North Shore guarantees this.

Beaches

The North Shore beaches are one of the region’s biggest drawcards, and the best part is that they’re pretty much everywhere. There are café-laden beaches like Devonport and Takapuna Beach and popular beaches further north, perfect for picnics and family weekends like Browns Bay and Long Bay Beach.

The North Shore is ideal for families who want to give their kids a true coastal upbringing.

Commute to the CBD

Getting from the North Shore to the CBD is easy, depending on which suburbs you’re in. Northcote, Hillcrest, and Glenfield are all 10-20 minutes’ drive from the CBD and have direct bus routes. In contrast, Devonport, Bayswater, Beach Haven, and Birkenhead all have ferry lines to and from the CBD, presenting a fantastic alternative route to work… and a beautiful way to start and finish your day!

Family life

As you can tell by all of the amazing features of the North Shore, it’s absolutely ideal for family life. In terms of practicality, the North Shore has everything you could ask for, and there’s little need to cross the bridge for shopping, medical and specialist appointments, sports commitments, and more.

The North Shore is one of our favourite spots in New Zealand. To get you settled into your new North Shore home, get in touch with the experts at New Zealand Movers.

As NZ’s largest and most trusted nationwide moving company, New Zealand Movers specialise in family moves for local, intercity, and international relocations. No matter where you’re moving from, New Zealand Movers will get you into your North Shore home. Get a quote today.

Tree-lined streets with large, extraordinary homes, world-class schools, cosmopolitan living with a strong community feel: there’s no other place in Auckland like Parnell. Consistently ranked within the top three most affluent suburbs in Auckland, there’s no wonder why everyone wants a little piece of Parnell.

In this post, we’ll outline five reasons why you, your partner, and your family should move to Parnell.

The homes

Parnell is the Beverly Hills of Auckland. As Auckland’s oldest suburb, it’s home to some of New Zealand’s finest examples of domestic architecture – large estates, Edwardian townhouses, and 1920s bay villas are all part of the architectural delight that characterises Parnell.

Property in Parnell is some of the priciest in the country, but what you pay for is what you get – and, in Parnell, you’re getting the best of the best in terms of property.

The schools

Parnell is one of the best suburbs in the Southern Hemisphere for education. Ranking consistently high in the Education Index, New Zealand is already one of the best countries in the world for education. Some of New Zealand’s best schools lie within a stone’s throw from Parnell, including Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. The University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology are also close by.

Cosmopolitan lifestyle

Not only is Parnell the ideal family suburb, but it’s also one of the best suburbs for the young professional. Parnell Road is the main food and entertainment strip in the suburb, home to plenty of cafes, wine bars, patisseries, restaurants, and more. There’s never a dull evening when you live in Parnell.

Close to the CBD

Parnell is in super close proximity to the CBD, making the morning commute to work an absolute dream. You can take a short bus or train ride into the city with regular public transport options.

What’s more, there are plenty of bike lanes connecting Parnell to the city.

Not only, is Parnell close to Auckland CBD it is also close to popular districts Ponsonby, known for its restaurant scene and Newmarket, known for upscale retail and high fashion.

Close to the best beaches in Auckland

And to top it all off, Parnell is also nearby some of the best beaches in Auckland.

When you live in Parnell, summer is a dream as it’s just a few-minute drive to Mission Bay Beach, St Heliers, and a stroll from the Parnell Baths – a 100-year-old set of saltwater baths on the edge of Judges Bay.

When moving to a premier suburb like Parnell, you need an expert team of movers. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most trusted and reputable moving companies, having moved countless Kiwis into the suburb of Parnell. Get in touch with New Zealand Movers to discuss your move today.