Top Destinations to Move to in the South Island

Looking for somewhere with affordable housing, job opportunities galore and a safe environment to raise your children? The South Island is an exciting, beautiful and liveable place that ticks all of these boxes.

Each part of the island has its own unique charm. From the bustling streets of Christchurch to the action and adventure of Queenstown, the South Island presents a range of different lifestyle choices for every different type of person and family.

Here, we ask the experts at New Zealand Movers about the top destinations to move to in New Zealand’s beautiful South Island.

Christchurch

New Zealand’s second largest city is an interesting mix of mountains, beaches, rivers and cosmopolitan living. Like most of the South Island, Christchurch has a serious advantage in terms of house prices. For example, while the median house price in Auckland is now over $1mil, the Canterbury region has a median house price of just $680k. Quite the difference! Still in the rebuilding phase from the 2011 earthquakes, Christchurch is a fast-growing city with job opportunities in IT, technology and construction.

Dunedin

Dunedin is an underrated gem on the South Island. A university city, it’s the perfect place for students thanks to the highly-esteemed University of Otago, ranked in the world’s top 1% of universities. It’s also home to a distinct mix of Scottish and Maori culture, with beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Dunedin is known for its strong job market in the areas of education, healthcare and professional services.

Nelson

Art galleries, wineries, mountains, beaches – this compact little jewel facing Tasman Bay is one of the best cities to live in on the South Island. Nelson is home to New Zealand’s biggest fishing port, meaning that well-paid jobs in fishing and agriculture attract many new locals each year. One of New Zealand’s safest cities, Nelson is a great place for children to grow up, and go hiking and swimming on the weekends.

Wanaka

Snow-capped mountains and huge alpine lakes mark the resort town of Wanaka in Otago. The gateway to the Southern Alps, it’s a popular town in winter due to alpine sports. Wanaka is a fantastic place to live for those in tourism and alpine education, presenting a safe and interesting place for children to grow up.

No matter where you decide is the right place on the South Island for you and your family to move to, make sure you pick a trusted moving service like New Zealand Movers. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most experienced and highly-regarded furniture movers, with 42 years of experience in the industry. New Zealand Movers can help you get settled in your new home, whether you’re on the North Island, South Island, or somewhere across the globe. Grab a quote from the friendly team today!

 

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Mountain Views

5 Reasons to Move to Nelson

Nelson is New Zealand’s sunshine capital, with delightfully warm summers, crisp white wines and picturesque landscapes. It’s easy to see why Nelson is one of New Zealand’s most visited areas, and there’s no wonder you’re considering making it your home. In this article New Zealand Movers share the top 5 reasons to move to Nelson.

Great housing value

House prices have sky-rocketed on the North Island, meaning you really don’t get much bang for your buck. The housing median in Nelson is about 40% lower than Auckland. So, whether you’re looking to rent or buy, your dollar will go a lot further. A nicer house, bigger backyard and in your ideal location – sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s what you’ll get when you buy in Nelson.

Easy commute

Well, we can barely call it a ‘commute’. Say goodbye to the horrendous peak hours that occur in other major cities. If driving isn’t your thing, Nelson is home to many renowned cycle trails which bring people from all over the world to enjoy. So, whether you’re a bike enthusiast or looking to get active, Nelson is the perfect place to cycle and keep fit.

Thriving economy

Nelson’s economy is booming and it’s easy to see why; there’s a happening art scene, large farming sector and it’s home to New Zealand’s largest fishing port. Unemployment rates are much lower than most parts of the country, plus there are great employment opportunities – particularly in industries such as health, transport and retail.

Nature

Craving nature? Wanting a place to reconnect, recharge and completely unwind? Nelson is the place to be. You’re so close to rivers, lakes, forests mountains and beaches. Whether you’re mountain biking at Kaiteriteri or sunbathing on the secluded Awaroa Beach, you’re never short of options. With sunshine almost year-round, you’ll have ample opportunities to explore all of the golden sand beaches, kayak and even partake in some white-water rafting to appeal to the thrill-seeker in you.

Food and drinks

With rich soil, sunny days and gorgeous landscapes, Nelson produces top quality food and drinks. Head inland to Moutere and you’ll be treated with award winning gourmet cheeses, dry white wines and traditional apple cider; if you prefer, stick to the coast and make your way to Motueka and choose between home-made gelato containing local fruit or for something a little more decadent a hand-crafted buttercream donut.

With a strong economy, a great sense of community and a lower cost of living you can see why the Nelson region is a fantastic place to reside. With an abundance of nature and great food, you’ll never run out of things to do.

If you’re ready to make the move to Nelson, get in touch with New Zealand Movers. They’re the experts in intercity moves and pride themselves on a professional, affordable service, even offering packing and storage to take all the hard work out of moving. Get a quote from New Zealand Movers today.

Nelson