Moving To Christchurch – What You Need To Know

Thinking about moving to a place that’s perfectly situated between the mountains and the sea? One of the most naturally beautiful places in New Zealand, Christchurch is our country’s second biggest city – and our biggest in the South Island.

If, like many other Kiwis and expats, you’re thinking or relocating to Christchurch, the team at New Zealand Movers offer you some extra information before packing up your current home. Here’s what you need to know about moving to Christchurch… and why it’s such a great idea!

It has some of New Zealand’s best educational institutions

First up, the schooling facilities. Christchurch is home to some of the best educational institutions in New Zealand. From kindergarten all the way up to university, you’ll find that Christchurch offers an elite level of education across both the public and private sector. From top-rated government schools like Hillmorton High School, to distinguished private schools like Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, moving to Christchurch basically guarantees an excellent education for your children. The University of Canterbury is New Zealand’s second-oldest university and frequently ranks as one of the best in the country.

It’s a big city with a relaxed feeling

With a population of almost 400,000, Christchurch is a big city – and yet it feels a lot more relaxed. There’s a bustling cosmopolitan hub in the centre of the city, with many village-feel suburbs surrounding it. Some of the best suburbs to live in are Riccarton, Ferrymead and Sumner Beach.

Christchurch has excellent job prospects

Christchurch is a rapidly-growing city, meaning there’s plenty of work to be found across a multitude of different industries. Some of the most in-demand jobs include construction workers, IT specialists, teachers and lecturers, hospitality workers, healthcare workers and tourism professionals.

Homes are more affordable here

Homes on the North Island can certainly be on the pricier side. Christchurch, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air in this department. While the average residential home in Auckland is over $1mil, and around $857,000 in the Bay of Plenty region, the average home price in the Canterbury region is significantly less, coming in at $668,000. Perfect for long-term movers, investors or both, your dollar goes further in Christchurch.

It’s a beautiful place to call home

People aren’t just attracted to Christchurch because of its affordable housing, great schools, and excellent job prospects – it’s also due to the pristine beaches, gorgeous mountains and stunning rivers and lakes.

If you’re thinking of relocating you and your family to Christchurch, New Zealand Movers are just a phone call away. Offering the best professional moving service in the country, New Zealand Movers are proud to deliver a premium moving experience to take the stress out of relocation. Get in touch with the friendly team at New Zealand Movers and ask for a quote today.

Christchurch Scaled

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

Special Rigs for Special Kids

New Zealand Movers were proud to take part in Special Rigs for Special Kids last week!

Special Rigs for Special Kids is an annual event that began in Dunedin in 1992 and provides an unforgettable experience to kids who have special needs. The trip takes the children on a journey around Dunedin and the Taieri in a large truck and finishes at the Edgar Centre where they enjoy food, drink and entertainment.

This year over 220 trucks took part with the convoy reaching up to 12km in length.

New Zealand Movers, Dunedin Operations Manager Josh King, says, “Special rigs for special kids is a great event for the kids but also the public as lots of people enjoy going out to watch the truck come past. The driver that took part in the event said it was great to see the kids having such a great time and people seeing trucks in a positive light. We look forward to doing it again next year for the 30th year anniversary.”

Nz Movers Dunedin Special Rigs For Kids

To learn more about Special Rigs visit: http://www.specialrigs.org.nz/

Nz Movers Dunedin

Best foot forward for Tonga

New Zealand Movers is honoured to be able to assist in The Blues Best Foot Forward For Tonga Campaign.

Lead by Blues players Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Maiakawanakaulani Roos & James Lay the campaign aims to help make a difference to the youth in Tonga who were impacted by the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami that happened earlier this year.

The appeal has brought in roughly 15,000 pairs of pre-loved shoes and sporting equipment that is being donated to the people of Tonga.

New Zealand Movers says, “It is a privilege to be able to supply packing materials to The Blues for this campaign and be involved with such a worthy cause.”
Best Foot Forward For Tonga

What Is The Best Area To Live In Christchurch?

The South Island’s biggest city is a special place. Christchurch is bordered by mountains, oceans, and rivers, making it a nature-lover’s dream. And aside from that, it’s a city with great opportunities for career growth, family life, and home buyers.

With a population of over 400,000, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the suburbs of Christchurch because there’s a lot of variety in the city. Today, we’ll help you out, giving you our top suburbs in Christchurch!

Fendalton

Fendalton is one of the most affluent suburbs in Christchurch, located just minutes from the CBD and full of beautiful, old character homes. It’s a great area for raising kids of all ages due to the safety of the neighbourhood and its proximity to top schools such as Medbury School and Christchurch Boys’ High School and the University of Canterbury.

Merivale

Merivale is another top suburb that must make our list. It’s located, directly north of the CBD, making the commute to work and travel across town a dream. Another of Christchurch’s most affluent suburbs, Merivale has some of the best schools in Christchurch such as Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and St Margaret’s College.

It is also home to the popular Merivale Mall and a large selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Sumner

If you want to wake up next to the beach, then Sumner is the suburb for you. Popular with families, locals spend their days out in nature, at the beach, parks, and on the local hiking trails.

Sumner Promenade is popular with locals and tourists lined with cafes, quirky seaside architecture, and the Scarborough Park which has a playground and paddling pool for children.

Better year, Sumner is conveniently close to the CBD – only a 20-minute drive!

Ferrymead

Only a 10-minute drive from the Sumner, Ferrymead is an uber-cool neighbourhood of Christchurch to live in. It’s a short 15-minute drive from the CBD and located on a small peninsula right around the corner from scenic beauties like the Charlesworth Reserve and Pegasus Bay.

It’s a hip suburb for retail and hospitality, with cafes and boutiques spread across the area. For the old souls, Ferrymead Heritage Park is a major tourist attraction that recreates Christchurch in Edwardian times, featuring quaint old buildings and shops.

Riccarton

Located just west of the CBD, Riccarton is another top suburb in Christchurch. It’s an affluent neighbourhood, featuring luscious parks, beautiful houses, and access to great schools like St Theresa’s School and Christchurch Boys’ High School. It’s conveniently close to the Riccarton Westfield, plenty of cafes, Asian eateries, and other restaurants – all within walking distance!

Found the perfect suburb in Christchurch for you? Whichever area you choose, New Zealand Movers are here to help! They’ve moved many Kiwis to, from, and within Christchurch, offering their top-rated services at quality prices.

For a smooth, safe, and affordable move, get in touch with the team at New Zealand Movers and start your new life in Christchurch off on the right foot.

 

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Christchurch

How To Move Overseas With Confidence

New cities, new people, a new job, and possibly a new language: Though you’re super excited, you may be feeling overwhelmed about moving overseas.

Don’t worry. We’re going to share our top tips on how to move overseas with confidence. By the end of this post, you’ll be feeling good and ready to tackle your international move.

Study the map

Here’s a simple one: study the map of the city or town you’re moving to. Getting your bearings as soon as you land in your new city is one of the most important things – it makes you instantly more familiar with your new home and helps you navigate the city as though you were born in it.

Locate important destinations like public transport stops, supermarkets, shopping centres, and cafes.

Line up a job

If you’re moving overseas, it definitely helps to have a job lined up before buying your plane ticket. Not only will this give you a sense of purpose, it helps you connect with other people in the city, meaning you’ve instantly got a network of people around you. And, of course, it helps keep the funds rolling!

Learn a bit of the language

Suppose you’re moving to a country where English isn’t their first language. In that case, it’s good to learn a few basic phrases such as ‘Hello’, ‘goodbye’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ before moving on to questions like ‘Excuse me, where is the…?’.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – making them is how we learn, after all.

Make your house or apartment as comfortable as possible

One crucial mistake that we’ve seen many people make when moving overseas is not bringing their belongings with them. Your belongings help you feel as comfortable as possible in your new country and give you a sense of familiarity during the transition period.

Having your furniture, bedding, and favourite appliances is particularly important to stave off homesickness. Sometimes, all it takes to feel significantly more at home in a foreign place is your own bed, mattress and pillows!

Much of your confidence about moving overseas depends on the moving team you hire to get you there. That’s why you should look no further than New Zealand Movers when it comes to global moves. They’ve relocated countless Kiwis all over the world from Australia to North America, to Europe, to Asia, and even to Africa. Priding themselves on delivering a quality, stress-free, affordable moving experience. Give New Zealand Movers a call 0800 000 022 to boost your confidence when moving overseas.

Fold Out Map

5 Reasons To Move To Canterbury

Christchurch, and the entire Canterbury region, is one of the best places in New Zealand. Not only to visit, as so many of us do but to live there. Mountains, beaches, and national parks are all part of the deal when you move to Canterbury, along with the perks of a modern, international city. Here are our top 5 reasons to move to Canterbury and why New Zealand Movers are the team to get you there.

Housing is refreshingly affordable

One of the best things about moving to the Canterbury region is that you’re almost always saving money when buying or renting a house, compared to the North Island. The median house price in the Canterbury region is around $680,000, while it’s well over a million in Auckland and Wellington.

Job opportunities in Christchurch

Job opportunities in Canterbury are plentiful. The Canterbury region has seen its fair share of hardship in the past decade, but the city of Christchurch has quickly set about rebuilding itself, with plenty of work to be done in construction, IT, retail, and hospitality. No matter what field you’re in, there are plenty of job opportunities in New Zealand’s second-biggest city.

It’s practically designed for family life

Canterbury is a haven for families, with top-ranking primary and secondary schools like Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and Middleton Grange School, alongside highly-rated universities like The University of Canterbury.

Not only is there world-class education but plenty of family-friendly activities. Weekends are spent the way they should be – hiking, bike-riding, picnicking, and going to the beach on warm days.

Nature

Nature is one of the biggest drawcards of the Canterbury region. Mountains, rivers, and beaches are all big parts of life in Christchurch, with national parks dotted all over the region. You’re also super close to New Zealand’s national playground: the Otago region, where hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to each year for adventure sports.

International city

Ōtautahi, Christchurch is an international city, home to New Zealand’s first international airport. You can go straight from Christchurch to Australia, Singapore, the USA, and Dubai to anywhere in Europe, with frequent services from the city.

Sold on moving to Canterbury? Get in touch with New Zealand Movers. They’re your experts in intercity and international moves, helping you get settled in the Canterbury region, wherever you are moving 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.

Cantbury Views

Five Tips for Moving Day

Moving day should be one of the most exciting days of the year. But if it doesn’t go exactly to plan, it can also be one of the most stressful days of the year. There are so many things to take care of, which is why it’s imperative to have a highly skilled, professional moving team on your side. In this post, we give you five key tips on how to pull off a masterfully planned moving day.

1) Write a list

Seems simple right? Yet writing a list is something that many home-movers neglect to do. In this exercise, you’ll right down a list of all the things that need to be done before moving day, and all the things that need to happen on moving day itself. This way, you’ve got a visual structure of how moving day should go, making it impossible for you to forget a crucial task or leave something out.

2) Family help

Young children can often be curious about the move, and even eager to help out, but often they’re more of a hindrance than they are helpful. If you have kids who are still too young to be of any help on moving day, then kindly ask the Grandparents if they can help out, or arrange a play-date with one of their friends.

3) Start early

If you can start packing some things now, do it now. Don’t wait until last minute to do things when you’re moving houses. Start by packing things that you rarely use, and won’t need until you’re settled in the new house.

4) Don’t panic

Another big tip for moving day? Don’t let it overwhelm you. Moving is something that we all do once in a while and, although it’s a rare occasion and we don’t get much practice at it, everything turns out fine in the end. You’re much more likely to have a great moving experience if you keep a cool head.

5) Book New Zealand Movers, right now

The last key tip for moving day is to book a top-quality moving team like New Zealand Movers, and to do it ASAP. New Zealand Movers are one of the country’s most experienced moving services, with over 40 years of moving under their belt. While they offer incredibly smooth, reliable and affordable services, they tend to be booked up fast, so make sure you reserve a moving day well in advance. Request a quote today!

Moving A Plant

4 Top Family Neighbourhoods in Auckland

Auckland is a big city with a big, beating heart. Home to 1.6 million people and counting, there seems to be a massive gravitational pull towards Auckland, drawing in people from all over the globe. The city of sails is one of the world’s most liveable cities, there’s no doubt that it’s a great place to raise your family. Like all cities, however, some suburbs are better suited to family life than others. Let’s take a look at our 4 top family neighbourhoods in Auckland.

1) Takapuna

Close to the city, close to the beach, close to some of New Zealand’s best schools… Takapuna has family burb written all over it. There’s so much about Takapuna that makes it super sought-after for families, including the prestigious Takapuna Grammar School, the gorgeous Sunday markets, great restaurants and shops and a safe, friendly environment. Summer in Takapuna is a dream! It’s a short walk to the beach and playgrounds, presenting days and days’ worth of family summer activities.

2) Devonport

A little further out, but just down the road from Takapuna is the suburb of Devonport. These two neighbourhoods are similar in some ways – they’re both on the northern side of the city and they’re both beachside suburbs. Being further away from the city, Devonport is where families go to escape the hustle and bustle while still remaining quite close from the CBD – it’s just a ferry-ride away, making it a popular mode of transport for business professionals. It has a range of living options, from waterfront apartments to spacious villas and character homes, meaning you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Devonport. It’s also in super close proximity to Takapuna Grammar School and other fantastic educational institutions.

3) Parnell

Parnell is a perfect place to settle down with your family. A traditionally prestigious and sought-after suburb it ticks all of the boxes. Large, grand homes with pools and tennis courts? Tick. Neighbourhood village with high-end shops and boutiques? Tick. Green, leafy streets? Tick. Super close to the CBD? Tick. Amazing schools and world-class universities? Tick, tick and tick. But be warned: the average price for a three-bedroom home in Parnell is around $2m NZD.

4) Grey Lynn

If the kids are a little more grown up and you’re starting to enjoy more freedom and less kid-raising, then Grey Lynn is perfect spot in Auckland. It’s ten minutes from the city centre and boasts all the best bars and restaurants in town – so if eating and drink is your vibe, Grey Lynn is the place to be. That being said, it’s a great family suburb too, with close proximity to fantastic schools and universities. A vibrant, clean and friendly neighbourhood, houses aren’t exactly cheap in Grey Lynn either, but it’s certainly worth the price tag if you can afford it.

Looking to move to any of these top four family suburbs in Auckland? Get in touch with New Zealand Movers today. They’re NZ’s best team of movers and packers, helping New Zealand and expat families relocate to these neighbourhoods every day. Talk to the team at New Zealand Movers and start living in your dream Auckland suburb! Request a quote here.

Auckland Housing

What are the Best Suburbs in Wellington?

Known as one of the coolest capital cities in the world, there is no wonder people flock to live in Wellington. It’s important to choose a suburb that’s right for you, whether that means a family-friendly suburb, a trendy, vibrant suburb, or something completely different. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favourite suburbs in Wellington. This will get you one step closer to figuring out the best suburb in the nation’s capital for you. We’ll also let you know who to call if you’re thinking of moving there!

Te Aro

An inner-city suburb, Te Aro is one pocket of Wellington that simply oozes cool. It’s home to some of Wellington’s finest dining establishments, cafes, bars and entertainment venues. Cuba Street is one of the cutest streets in New Zealand, attracting visitors and locals who love to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. If you love experiencing great culinary culture, then Te Aro is one of the best suburbs in Wellington for you.

Miramar

Miramar is one of Wellington’s best beachside suburbs. It’s got a super friendly village feel and is marked by the Peter Jackson cinema, The Roxy – an attractive, art deco cinema building. Being close to the beach is one of Miramar’s most desirable features, with many locals strolling to the beach from their homes on hot summer days.

Newtown

One of the up-and-coming trendy areas of Welly is Newtown. It’s definitely one of the best suburbs in Wellington for young, creative people, or anyone who likes their suburbs with a bit of edge. Think vegetarian markets, a great community centre, op shops and heaps of cool cafes and bars. Newtown is a melting pot of people, making it one of our favourite suburbs in Wellington.

Brooklyn

Located upon a beautiful hill is the great family suburb of Brooklyn. More and more families are flocking to Brooklyn for its spacious feel and green surroundings. It’s also in the vicinity of lovely entertainment venues like cinemas and great restaurants. Brooklyn is just a 10-minute bus ride from the city, making it an awesome place for convenience.

Mount Cook

A lovely residential area in Wellington. Mount Cook is a highly desirable location, with quiet streets and well-presented houses. Perfect for established families and anyone wanting to live in a quiet and safe part of Wellington.

The truth is, there are so many options when it comes to living in Wellington. We hope our list of best suburbs helps you in making a decision! If you’re ready to make the move, get in touch with the crew at New Zealand Movers. They’re one of the country’s finest moving teams, moving people like you to different suburbs of Wellington every day. For a reliable and affordable moving service, call up New Zealand Movers for a quote today on: 0800 000 022

What Are The Best Suburbs In Wellington