Where to live in Christchurch?

[kokopeli]

Since you asked so nicely Hopeful, I don't mind a bit of kiss and tell ?;D

We spent a month or so in Chch in our campervan before we found a house. ?We used that time to stay on different campsites and got a feel for various parts of the city. ?The inner city suffers from late night 'hoons' and we found it hard to sleep within a mile of Hagley Park. ?Weekends are especially bad...

Some of the real estate agents specialise in rentals and publish a weekly list. ?Cowdrys and Warwick & Todd spring to mind. ?We looked at everything with 3 and 4 bedrooms over a three-week period during February. ?Bottom end prices were around $300 a week for a really grotty 'shed' about 500m from Hagley Park (I swear, it smelled like someone was buried under the floorboards!

Top end properties were around $1050 a week for a luxury 4 bedder in Fendalton (one of the more select areas). Gorgeous place, but well out of our price range...

A lot of Brits head to the coast between Mt Pleasant and Sumner. ?We looked at quite a nice 4 bedroom house there for $550 a week, but it was on a very steep hill and didn't have any parking.

We found the house we're in through a private ad in The Press one Saturday morning. ?We're south of the city, about 6kms from Cathedral Square. ?The house is brand new and has 4 bedrooms. ?The kitchen came with a fitted dishwasher, oven and hob, but no fridge or washer. ?Best of all, it's got double glazing and central heating, which most of the others didn't! ?

We pay $450 a week with a $1350 bond. ?Our rent includes the City Council rates although we don't have to pay water rates because the water is free in Chch :) ?Since we moved in, we#ve seen a few other 3 and 4 bedroom rentals in our area, typically ranging from $350 to $500 a week. ?

Hope that helps ;)

[KiwiHopeful]

Thanks Kokopeli! :)

Your post is very, very helpful, and I'm bookmarking it for easy find later. I really appreciate the figures, as uncertainty about the housing rates has caused me a bunch of anxiety! I'm pretty confident we can swing the 350-500 ... whew!

Thanks again! 8-)

[kokopeli]

No worries. Give us a shout when you've got a date and I'll send you the local rental fliers and anything useful from the property press.

[phil]

Hi we have been in christchurch for the past 8 years with a few travels left uk from the RAF in 90 3years in oz in syd (not for us) then 3years in Malaysia choice uk or nz!we emigrated to follow family & settled in christchurch love it we have had I think 8 houses here done the kiwi think renovated sold renovated etc had quite a few rentals, as Tennants & as Landlords, as well as owning our own place.
We are in burnside near burnside high one of the schools in Christchurch id be happy to answer any questions regarding living in christchurch areas to live (we have lived in quite a few & schools done that too, 3 kids now last one doing final year at Burnside :) We now own a Pub / nightclub in town a big change from Aviation , but its fun & hard work at times too.