7 Great Locations For People Wishing To Move To New Zealand
Are you thinking about making the move down to New Zealand? Great choice! To help you get started on planning your new life, here is a list of 7 of the best places in the country to live. Remember, New Zealand is made up of the North Island and the South Island and is famous for its incredible landscapes, mountains, nature, vineyards, and adventure sports. So, let’s dive into some of the best locations in the country so that you can start planning your future. Whether you love a city, a small town, or the open countryside, we have ideas for you.
Wellington
Let’s start with the country’s capital, Wellington, which is located on the southwestern tip of North Island. Wellington is a small, quaint, and beautiful city, with just over 400,000 residents. The city boasts a working harbor, a fun waterfront promenade, and gorgeous sandy beaches. It is both striking and tranquil.
If you dream of living in a colorful timber house on a hill overlooking the sea, Wellington could well be your ideal location. What’s more, Wellington is a culinary capital. It is home to quirky cafes, great coffee, wonderful restaurants, and lots of hidden gem bars.
Queenstown
For a more adventurous and energetic lifestyle, why not move to Queenstown? Located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu on the South Island, Queenstown sits at the feet of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. This city is known for its extreme or adventure sports, such as bungee jumping, jet boating, and skiing in winter.
You also have access to wonderful New Zealand vineyards and lovely little mining towns from Queenstown, if the sporting side doesn’t take your fancy. Instead, collect delicious local wines, which you can store in a stylish rack in your new home, and relax. With only around 16,000 residents, Queenstown is a great place to live if you want to avoid the bustle of a big city. Lake views and boat trips are an everyday part of life for Queenstown locals.
Auckland
For the big city lovers out there, New Zealand can fulfill those needs as well. Auckland is a major city built around two main harbors and is located on the North side of the North Island. With over 1,650,000 inhabitants, this city is full of life and opportunities. Auckland has it all, from great bars and restaurants to extinct volcanoes and the Sky Tower, which has breathtaking views of the city and out to sea.
There are both lovely large family houses in the suburbs of Auckland and apartments in the city center if you prefer the downtown lifestyle. If you love a busy harbor, an iconic skyline, and great seafood, move to Auckland, NZ.
Cambridge
Located south of Auckland in the northern part of the North Island, Cambridge is a small town known as the “town of trees and champions”. With 20,000 residents, iconic tree-lined streets, and Cambridge Stud, a thoroughbred horse farm established in 1976, this town is wholesome and picture-perfect.
If you want to live in a beautiful and peaceful community, with garden space and safe streets to ride your bike, this is the place for you. There are some gorgeous, big family houses for sale in Cambridge NZ that are ideal locations for building your family’s future. Cambridge’s world-class beauty and strong community spirit make it an idyllic location.
Hawke’s Bay
This region on the East coast of the North Island is famous for its wineries and gorgeous beaches. Due to its temperate climate and stunning scenery, Hawke's Bay offers a relaxed lifestyle. Choose between the small towns of Napier, Havelock North, or Hastings and find your dream home in this land of wine and nature.
This region is also known for art deco buildings and whale spotting opportunities, so whether you love nature, wine, or architecture, Hawke’s Bay has something just for you. This region is a blue paradise of New Zealand.
Christchurch
Jumping down to the East coast of the South Island, we have the lovely Christchurch. This town is known for its English heritage and sits on either side of the Avon River. You can take a boat trip down the river or cycle or walk along its shores and stop off at the botanic gardens. This idyllic living is enjoyed by around 400,000 people.
Christchurch is known as the “garden city of the plains” due to its numerous parks and public gardens. However, you can also enjoy adventure and sports with Christchurch as your base. Located near the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains, there are thrill-seeking opportunities lying waiting for you to explore.
Dunedin
Finally, we have Dunedin, which is located on the southeast coast of the South Island. With a population of over 114,000 people, Dunedin is known for its Maori and Scottish heritage. The architecture is Edwardian and Victorian, and there is a large student population.
There are many opportunities to go cycling or hiking from your home in Dunedin and you might even spot some local albatross, sea lions, or rare yellow-eyed penguins on your travels. As with most of New Zealand, this city too boasts striking scenery, but one thing sets the city apart. New Zealand’s only castle lies in Dunedin. Opened in 1874 as a mock castle (with no military purpose), Larnach is privately owned but open as a tourist destination.
Hopefully, this list of 7 great places to live in New Zealand has helped you to decide where you would like to relocate. Whether you are a wine lover, an adventurer, a city person, or prefer the tranquility of nature and the suburbs, there is somewhere on this list for you. Do you see yourself in a quaint wooden cottage by a lake, an apartment with views of a gorgeous skyline, or a big family home in a great neighborhood?
New Zealand's North and South islands are both jam-packed with busy cities, historic towns, nature trails, wildlife, vineyards, and views like nowhere else in the world. So, pick your location, and welcome to paradise!