There are so many benefits of living in an apartment, rather than a unit, townhouse or house. Firstly, you’ve got less space, so it’s much easier to work with what you’ve got and make your apartment look fab. Secondly, they’re so much easier to keep clean! And thirdly, you get a true sense of living a cosmopolitan lifestyle, because presumably you’re in the city, or close to it. So, before you’re popping open bottles of champagne in your cosy place, here are a few essential things to tick off when you move.

Furniture

No matter where we live, we need furniture like tables, chairs and beds. Apartments are usually smaller than homes, so you’ll find that less furniture takes up a lot more space than it would in a house. This means you should check off a few things before going out and getting your furniture.

• Measurements
  Pay more attention to measurements when buying furniture in your apartment. You want to avoid buying a sofa that’s too big for your lounge room.
• Lift size
  Make sure you can fit your furniture into the lift, if that’s what you’re using to transport your stuff to your apartment. Most apartments in NZ don’t come with those neat little hooks like what they have in the Netherlands.

Kitchen

Your kitchen should be fully stocked with all the utensils and crockery you need to make and enjoy your meals. Here are some of the essential things to consider

• Kitchen space
  Just like with your furniture, you don’t want to overdo it with your kitchen goods if you have limited kitchen space. Make sure you’ve set everything up as efficiently and ergonomically as possible so that you’re economising on space.
• Logical layout
  Conserve your time when making meals in the kitchen by laying out your utensils logically.

Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most-frequented rooms in an apartment. There are little differences between house bathrooms and apartment bathrooms, but if your bathroom doesn’t have towel racks, we suggest rolling up your towels and putting a bathroom fern next to them for perfect presentation.

To-Do List

Make sure you’ve written these tasks down on your to-do list before moving into an apartment:

• Organise electricity and gas
• Organise internet
• Redirect post to your new place
• Organise contents insurance

Book in with New Zealand Movers

And last, but not least, make a booking with New Zealand Movers to make all of this happen. They’re New Zealand’s best team of movers and packers, helping you get into your new apartment as smoothly, reliably and affordably as possible. Get in touch with NZ Movers and make the move towards your new apartment.

The flashing lights of Broadway, golden Venice Beach, the Hollywood sign calling your name – it’s a party in the USA! What can we say about the third largest country on Earth? With over 330 million people, there’s never a dull moment when you move to America. Thousands of cities, millions of people and opportunities are waiting for you to discover them. So, if it’s time for a change of pace, and you think you might like to swap New Zealand for New York, then here are 5 great reasons to do it!

1) Time for adventure

Everyone knows that the USA is one giant playground. It’d probably take you an entire lifetime to discover all that America has to offer. There’s a reason they call New York City the ‘concrete jungle’, for example: it’s so easy to get lost inside it. If you’ve been missing that feeling of wanderlust, then moving America is the best thing you can do to scratch that itch – you’ll always be left with a feeling of wanting more.

2) Endless choices of lifestyle

Being such a vast place, there’s literally endless choices when it comes to lifestyle in the USA. If you feel like experiencing a mega metropolis, then Los Angeles, New York and Chicago should be plenty big enough to tick that box. Feel like being somewhere less mind-bogglingly large, but still an important cultural capital? Think about San Francisco, New Orleans or Seattle. And if you’ve always dreamed of life away from the big cities, there’s plenty of rural places too.

3) Catch a sports game

The USA is a sporting nation, just like Australia, and although their sport looks quite different to ours, we can guarantee you’ll still have fun. There’s baseball, basketball and NFL to look forward. With almost 1000 sports stadiums across the country, the US has the highest number of sporting facilities in the world, so we can be sure you won’t miss out on a good game.

4) Road trips galore

The USA is the ultimate road trip nation. It’s pretty much where great road trips were born! Jump in the car and meander through the vast country, seeing sights like Mount Rushmore, the Great Canyon and Yosemite National Park. Planning the road trip is one of the best parts, so make sure you do your research.

5) Work opportunities and moving with NZ Movers

If you’re moving to the US for work, there are plenty of opportunities for you. With a population of over 300 million people, you’ll slot right into your place in society. And when you need a top quality mover, experienced in international moves, you need NZ Movers. They’re NZ’s experts on international relocation, having helped hundreds of Kiwis just like you make the move to the USA. Get in touch with their team to organise a quote and get one step closer to living the American dream.

Planning is the key to success, and it’s applicable to most things in life – including such an important life decision like moving houses. If you don’t succeed in planning your move, then it’s impossible for your moving experience to be successful either. So, to avoid a stressful move, here are 5 tips you need to employ during the planning stages.

1) Make lists

Lists are a great way to organise the way you move. To-do lists, purchase lists, get-rid-of lists: the list of lists goes on. These are all great ways to have something tangible in front of you which guides you through your moving journey.

2) Clean your new place before moving in

Another pro tip: clean your new place before moving day, not afterwards! Having no belongings in the house is the best time to clean it because there are no obstructions. It’s also nice to get settled into a fresh new place when it’s lovely and clean.

3) Book ahead

The best way to ensure your move is not a complete and utter disaster is to leave it till last minute to book the moving company. So, how do we avoid this? Write your to-do list, that you need to book your moving company.

4) Get rid of things you don’t need

One of the most satisfying tasks is getting having a clear out and getting rid of things you don’t need. Broken treadmill covered in cobwebs in the shed? Donate it. Air fryer that you were given last Christmas but have never used? Re-gift. Collection of clothes you don’t wear anymore? Op shop. There’s nothing better than clearing up the house in the lead up to the move.

5) Choose the right mover

You can’t just choose any mover – you’ve got to choose the best one possible. This is where the team at New Zealand Movers enters the picture and saves the day.

NZ Movers are one of New Zealand’s most dedicated, diligent and versatile teams of movers and packers. They can help you move whether you’re a single student heading off to a different city to study, or a family of five who’s looking for a bigger place. NZ Movers pride themselves on delivering the best quality service at competitive prices, so call them up and grab a quote today.

Scottish architecture, vibrant entertainment strips with bars and cafes, universities galore: Dunedin is the perfect place for students, couples, professionals and families. Whether you’re planning to move to Dunedin as a student embarking on an educational journey, or a family who want to soak up the fresh air and culture, Dunedin is a perfect place to hang your hat. Like all cities, there are better areas than others, so let’s take a look at some of our favourite Dunedin suburbs to try and figure out which one is best for you!

Opoho

Opoho is a name that automatically makes you think, ‘prestige’. As one of the most sought-after suburbs in the South Island’s second biggest city, it offers breathtaking views of the city and is a popular suburb for people of all demographics – from students to retirees. Students are attracted to Opoho due to the close proximity to the university district, while families relish the safe neighbourhood and convenient location. Opoho is perched on a hill and offers a beautiful view of the local gardens.

St Clair

We love this beachside suburb of Dunedin, and we’re not the only ones! St Clair is one of the best pockets in the city. When you live in St Clair, you can stroll out of your front door and be on the beach in a matter of seconds. St Clair is home to one of the South Island’s best beaches, so it’s fair that so many people want a little part of it. What sets St Clair aside from other New Zealand beach suburbs is that it combines beachside living and a central lifestyle: it’s just 5kms from the CBD.

North East Valley

Famous for having the world’s steepest residential street, Baldwin Street, there’s much more to love about North East Valley than just this quirky little novelty. North East Valley is a great option for you if you want a little more peace and quiet without being too far from the city. It’s a short drive or bus ride into the CBD and it offers some great views of the city. Check out Aussie media personalities, Hamish and Andy, and their attempt to climb Baldwin Street in an RV!

Mornington

The hillside suburb Mornington is ideal for families. It’s one of the best suburbs in Dunedin with great schools and plenty of parks around, meaning your kids will get the best quality of life in Mornington. But it’s not just great for kids – there are plenty of things from grownups to do as well. In the main strip of Mailer Street, there are buzzing cafes and restaurants.

Decided which Dunedin suburb is calling your name? If so, call the moving specialists of Dunedin Movers at New Zealand Movers. They help people from New Zealand and around the globe move safely and happily into the beautiful city of Dunedin. NZ Movers guarantee great service at low prices, so don’t hesitate to grab a quote when you’re ready. Request a quote now.

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand; if not the entire Southern Hemisphere, with hiking tracks, cycling tracks and plenty of water sports available. This picturesque little town, nestled beneath the Southern Alps, is one of the country’s biggest tourist hotspots – but it’s not only popular with tourists. Locals are proud to call Queenstown their home, never tiring of its idyllic beauty. If you’re already convinced of setting up shop in Queenstown, then you’re probably wondering where in Queenstown would suit you the best. You’ve come to the right place – in this article, we try to figure that out for you.

Fernhill

Fernhill is possibly the best part of Queenstown for fitness and nature lovers. Set right at the bottom of the Ben Lomond mountain, some Fernhill residents get up early for the sunrise and go for a hike every morning. And when the view is that pretty, why wouldn’t you? Fernhill overlooks the city, so there are plenty of places that have amazing views of the rest of Queenstown.

Queenstown Hill

Super close to the city is Queenstown Hill which, you guessed it, is on a hill. But not just any hill: Queenstown Hill is special, because it features walking trails, amazing views of vistas, and historic architecture too. This makes it one of the best areas to live in Queenstown.

Kelvin Heights

It may sound like the name of a fictional high school in a ‘90s teen drama, but this description of Kelvin Heights couldn’t be any further from reality. In fact, Kelvin Heights is one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Queenstown, claiming to be the South Island’s first million-dollar suburb. If you’ve got the money, it’s definitely one of the most sought-after areas in Queenstown.

Arthurs Point

Adrenaline-junkies, listen up. This is the best area of Queenstown for you. Arthurs Point is located right around the corner from the infamous jet-boating areas of Queenstown, where people travel from all over the world to experience high speeds on the not-so-open seas… in other words, the lake. Arthurs Point also provides access to the popular walking/running moonlight track, which ventures into Ben Lomond and Moke Lake.

Frankton

And last, but not least, Frankton is the popular, humble suburb where many families in Queenstown choose to call home. It’s close to the airport, close the centre, close to the Remarkables Market every Saturday – heck, it’s close to everything.

Feeling better acquainted with Queenstown? When you’re ready, get in touch with the people who’ll take you there. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s best team of movers. Whether you’re moving locally or internationally, New Zealand Movers can help you get there affordable and reliably, so start your new life in Queenstown by contacting them today. 0800 000 022

There’s so much to love about the oldest city on the South Island – Nelson. An incredibly hip and vibrant place, Nelson hosts the annual Nelson Arts Festival along with the World of Wearable Art, on top of a collection of classic cars. It’s far from one of New Zealand’s largest cities, weighing in at just over 50,000 people, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character. It’s an artsy, nature-loving paradise where active and creative people, and all other types, are proud to call it their own. Let’s go through some of our favourite suburbs in Nelson to figure out which is best for you.

Tāhunanui

Tāhunanui is one of the most sought-after pockets of Nelson, and for a good reason. This beachside suburb is lined with pretty streets and is just a 10 minutes’ drive to the CBD. Tāhunanui Beach is in walking distance – the perfect place to spend a weekend afternoon in summer. It’s the ideal spot for family life, with good schools such as Tāhunanui School and Henley School and playground very close by as well.

The Wood

Not every suburb has everything you want, right? Wrong. That’s where we’d like to introduce the stunning area of The Wood. It’s a gorgeous waterside district which overlooks the Tasman Bay and the Maitai River. If you love popping out to cafes and restaurants, then The Wood has plenty of options for you. Nature has a big presence in The Wood, with walking trails leading up to Botanical Hill, offering amazing views of the city. There’s also lush, green spaces like Trafalgar Park and the Japanese-style Miyazu Garden, featuring cherry trees, ponds and little bridges. And the best part? It’s literally walking distance from the heart of town.

Richmond

It’s a little further out, but it presents the picture-perfect suburban family life: Richmond is where many young families are moving to, in order to have a greater slice of that New Zealand dream. There are wide, open parks, easy access to shopping centres and peaceful streets with cafes and restaurants in close proximity.

Monaco

Perched on a little peninsula in the south of Nelson, Monaco is an idyllic waterfront suburb with gorgeous homes, a charming pub and super close proximity to the airport. It’s less than 12 minutes’ drive to the city.

Now that you know a little more about Nelson, it’s time to get in touch with the people who’ll take you there. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most reputable team of movers. They carry out highly organised and thorough moves on a local and international level. Wherever you’re going, New Zealand Movers can help you get there affordable and reliably, so start your new Nelson life by contacting them today, call: 0800 000 022

Everyone loves the holiday season. It’s a time for celebrating, drinking good wine, eating good food and being with friends and family. But aside from these things to look forward to, the holiday season can get more complicated when you have to move houses. It’s not impossible, and if you choose the right moving team it’s easy, but you still have to take extra care when planning a move over the holiday period. Here are a few tips to make sure you do it right!

Book your moving team ASAP

The biggest piece of advice we can give you if you’re planning a move over the holidays is to get in quick with your preferred mover. Spots fill up fast over the holidays: this is because movers are people too, and a lot of them take time off to spend it with their families. Therefore, there’s limited staff available and you need to hop to the task of booking them in. Then, you’ll have more time to enjoy the holiday period with your family, without stressing about the move.

Be sun-smart

Moving during the holidays means moving in summer which means you’re more likely to get burned when moving. Wear a hat, sunnies and apply sunscreen every few hours.

Book before Christmas and after New Year’s

If it’s possible, book before Christmas and after New Year’s Day. This, as we all know, is the most hectic period of the year in terms of traffic and crowdedness. If you’re moving long distance, give yourself plenty of time to move either before or after this period, and make sure you explore your new area when it’s not at its busiest.

Set aside a little more money in the moving budget

Given it’s a busy period with limited staff, moving companies tend to charge slightly higher rates during the holidays. Just make a note of that when you get a quote sorted.

Put it on pause for Christmas

No matter when you’re moving, you should take a little time to enjoy Christmas with your family and celebrate the year coming to an end. For most Kiwis, we struggle to find time to spend with our families, so Christmas shouldn’t be skipped.

Choose the right moving team

The last step: choose the right moving team. New Zealand Movers are the country’s #1 team for local, intercity and international moves. They’re a highly reputable company with glowing reviews, a professional work ethic and competitive prices to boot. So, if you need to move during the holiday season, and don’t want to stress yourself out, give the team at New Zealand Movers a ring. 0800 000 022

Moving to the UK is one of the best things you can do for your professional and personal life. With plenty of job opportunities, friendly people and room for growth, the UK is where many good professionals become great professionals. And with so many Kiwis moving to the UK, you’re certainly not the only one considering it. Here are five great reasons to move to the UK:

1) Perfect professional to personal to family life ratio

While the UK is a great place to find steady work in your field, it’s also a place where you have opportunities to explore and have a family. Imagine yourself riding on top of a double decker bus, cruising straight past Big Ben on your way to work. Or taking your family to the esteemed English countryside on the weekends. There’s so much beauty to be discovered in whichever part of the country you want to live.

2) It’s easy

Moving to the UK is so easy for us Kiwis. Because we’re part of the Commonwealth, almost anyone can obtain a working visa and head straight to the UK to live and work. Securing a two-year working visa, for example, is available for most professions, with possible options to extend.

3) Food

Food in the UK ticks all the boxes. Cheap street food, pub food, local markets, a huge range of cuisines from around the globe, traditional English meals and basically everything in between: you’ll be spoiled for choice when you move to the UK.

4) Opportunities for exploring

Living in New Zealand is awesome – we love this country – but when it comes experiencing cultures other than our own, or seeing new countries, we’re limited in choice. Living in the UK means that you can do some personal growth and visit a whole new country, even just for one day. The central location and affordable flights that come in and out of the UK every day means that you’re in the perfect place for travel. A few nights in Nice, a weekend in Warsaw, a daytrip to Denmark – anything’s possible.

5) Follow your dreams

Our final reason to move to the UK is because, sometimes, you have to take risks – calculated ones, which benefit you – and this is one of them. New Zealand Movers encourage people to follow their dreams, which is why it’s a pleasure for them to help Kiwi professionals and families pack and move their belongings to countries around the world, in the safest and most reliable way possible. NZ Movers have a strong focus on value, offering competitive quotes and the best service available. If you’re taking the next step towards a UK life, then contact the team at NZ Movers.

The Hawke’s Bay area is one of the many hidden jewels of New Zealand. It’s all about award-winning wineries, beautiful architecture, outdoorsy lifestyle and homely vibe. It’s just rural enough for you to feel like you’re a world apart, and yet close enough to big cities if you need them. Considering moving to the Hawke’s Bay? Here are some of the best places to call home.

Napier

If a smaller city with a quirky twist is up your alley, then look no further than Napier. With a population of almost 70,000, and right next door to its twin city of Hastings with 50,000 people, Napier has a much bigger atmosphere than you’d expect. Built in a distinct 1930s art deco style of architecture, the city is a popular tourist destination for those who want to soak up the special, retro atmosphere. It’s home to the Tremains Art Deco Festival in February, an event that spans across two weekends, exhibiting all things in the art deco style, including buildings and cars, as well as local produce and wine.

On top of the liveliness and charm of Napier, it also has fantastic job opportunities and school options – it’s a growing city with a close-knit feel.

Suburbs in Napier:

• Taradale
  Just a five-minute drive to some of New Zealand’s best wineries, Taradale is an ideal spot for families and couples alike. It’s a perfect spot if suburban lifestyle fits you better than being right up in the city – and yet it’s just a short drive from town.
• Te Awa
  Coastal paradise meets family suburb in Napier’s Te Awa. Featuring a long stretch of beach, Te Awa is just a short drive to the CBD too.
• Ahuriri
  A vibrant, funky but also family-suited neighbourhood is Ahuriri, in Napier’s north. It’s full of cafes, restaurants, bars and is close to the city. It’s also a quick drive to Westshore Beach, one of the prettiest and most-happening beaches in the region.

Hastings

32km inland of Napier, lies the pretty little city of Hastings. It has a great mix of shops, cafes and restaurants, features beautiful houses and is home to New Zealand’s best water park – Splash Planet.

Suburbs in Hastings:

• Havelock North
  Just out of Hastings lies the quaint old town of Havelock North. It has a distinct English village feel, with a lovely main street and bustling shops.
• Parkvale
  Parkvale is an ideal family suburb, with a strong community vibe and great schools like Parkvale School and Mayfair School.
• Frimley
  One of the best suburbs in Hastings is Frimley, which boasts large homes, great schools like Frimley School and wide open parks.

Move with New Zealand Movers

Need a team of expert movers to get you on your way to Hawke’s Bay? New Zealand Movers can help you out. As one of New Zealand’s leading moving companies, they carry out highly organised and thorough moves on a local and international level. Wherever you’re going, New Zealand Movers can assist you get there affordable and reliably. Request a free quote now.