[minnieuk]

We have always thought we would move to Christchurch as we have been there and liked it but recently have started looking at Wellington as an alternative but we've never been there.

I'd really appreciate any comparisons people could make about living in either city. We are looking for somewhere we can live close to the city centre with good schools and plenty of access to sport (cricket mainly - to watch and play). We've not into action-packed nightlife but would like some cafes/bars/restaurants where we could go in the evenings. My children are 15 and 13 (will be 16 and nearly 14 by the time we go).

We were looking at Boys High School in Christchurch and Fendalton/Merivale area to live (or possibly Burnside High).

How does Wellington compare for schools? Can you live near the city centre in Wellington or does everyone live further out?

How do the city centres compare?

Lots of questions I know - since our EOI was selected it all seems so much more likely to happen now and I am full of questions.

[ellenmelon]

ok, so i lived in christchurch for about 7 years (12yo-19yo) and have been living in wellington for a year...ill give you my opinions on both cities :)...

christchurch:
*quite a spread out city. i found this a bad thing without a car sometimes
* a pretty good bus system.
*bars and cafes...there are some good ones but i dont think theyre extraordinary.
*quite a few cricket clubs as far as i know. i think the flatness of the city helps this! :D
*driving is pretty good...one way systems can be very annoying but i found driving here pretty good.
* its a pretty place, but i find its a bit cold culture wise compared to wellington..
*some good malls, connected by the orbiter bus.


wellington
*a more walkable city, helped by a fairly decent bus system. driving here is an interesting experience..a lot of the roads can be narrow and hilly and driving in town can be a bit stressful initially
*i dont find the weather unbearable but it did get cold this past winter. you really do get used to the wind...the REALLY windy spells arent as often as i thought they would be, but in spring it can pick up
*ive no idea about cricket clubs
*bars and cafes, there are plenty. and good variety too. chain coffee stores and wee independent places. have yet to find a good pub though...
* a very bubbly, lively city i find and very pretty on the south coast.
* theres a pretty good theatre and arts scene here...
... cant comment on schools

[Pookeko]

Nice one ellenmelon, I agree with your thoughts too :)

I'm from Wellington but I lived in Chch for 8 years (up until 2001).

If I can really over-simplify it, Chch is like your twin set & pearls - or alternatively a woollie jersey and jeans, Wellington is like your funky arts student/fashionista outfit (all in black, looking uber!) - or alternatively a suit :laugh .

Chch is probably the more renown cricketing place; Wellington has the Basin Reserve where test matches etc are played. Maybe some are played in Chch too I don't know but the Basin is the most famous cricketing place in NZ... that I know of... and I don't know much about cricket...

I personally found Chch a bit dull, nice but dull. Wellington seems to be getting more & more interesting on each return, and is certainly loads more cool and funky than I remember growing up there! :D

It depends what you are looking for, Chch would certainly be a comfortable laid-back lifestyle. :nice1

[minnieuk]

Thank you both for your thoughts. I think we are still thinking Christchurch although Wellington looks a great place and it will be somewhere to visit.