[Rob K]

We have now been in NZ for 2 months, and actually quite like this country. But, we're going to leave Christchurch.

Chch is just too expensive for us, and we've needed the 2 months here to realize that. Wow, is property ever expensive here!

(We're also looking for a quieter, smaller location, but the $$$ for property is the non-starter worth mentioning here...)
We're a single income family - which is not extinct by any means in Chch, but is apparently an endangered species by the look of things. We sold our house in Canada and made a tidy profit of CAN $35,000, and were quite happy to have that as an amount we could put aside as a down payment on property here in Chch. But as many on this forum will understand, that's not quite the kind of quid you need to enter the local real estate market.

But we're ok about all that - it's no different than what happened in Vancouver, Canada over the past 15 or so years. We used to live and rent there, but moved away from average house prices of around $700,000 to a nice little town where $150,000 could get you a decent home of your own. We'll just pick up and do likewise here in NZ.

Can't complain about the job market here: there's heaps of ads for math teachers and civil/environmental engineers. Hopefully, 1 of them will come my way, in a place we can afford to settle in.

We'd like to get an acre or thereabouts somewhere nice and warm for growing a big food garden, and where we could have a modest but comfortable house for a family of 6 built, all for within $250,000. If you know Chch, you'll likely understand why we've decided to move elsewhere.

So, where could we make this happen? We have identified some possible areas on both main islands that are worth checking out firsthand (we've never been anywhere beyond a 1-1/2 hour drive of Chch yet), but would like to get some informed opinions from members of this list.

Another question: if we got a bigger piece of land, that had the potential (existing or future) for serious horticulture/agriculture, would any of the banks give us a home loan without me having another job? I've quit my teaching job here in Chch, so this is an important thing to know because we would be potentially interested in working for ourselves instead of working for the "man" again :raebanana .

Cheers,

Rob

[Diny]

Rob

I know that most members are pretty clued up about the 'Realenz' site:

http://www.realenz.co.nz/

Have you tried looking under the other categories other than residential. It's a great place for finding bare land and building plots. Have a look under rural or lifestyle.

Hope this helps, and I apologise for giving second hand info if you've already tried this.

best of luck, keep us posted.

Diny

[veronica]

Sorry to hear that Rob, all these things are relvevant to where you come from I haven't a clue on the price of houses in north american continent, either canada or the states, but for people coming from the UK the prices here are very cheap. most of us would be looking about the £250,000 for a house on a very modest plot there. that equates to about NZ$650,000. (yeah, I realise you are a maths teacher but it saves anyone else working it out) Its probably all us Brits coming out here with cash that has pushed up the prices.

[Robert Dazzler]

Try the Waikato and around Hamilton.

http://www.realenz.co.nz/res/searchdetails.cfm?CurrentRow=1&SD=

[Rob K]

Thanks for the link, Diny. Yes, we've already been checking it out, including residential, lifestyle, and rural. While we know that there are some private sales as well (some posted on other websites), this site and others gives a good idea about relative prices between regions.

Veronica, what you say about the relative wealth of homesellers coming over from the UK with lots of quid, is what we too suspect is largely behind the high prices here in Chch and elsewhere (though heard that in places like Nelson, for example, it's people from other countries like Germany with their own strong currencies that are jacking up the market).

We don't begrudge those of you who are economically fortunate due to a favorable exchange rate etc (Brits especially with your strong pound). I remember the first time I travelled overseas from Canada, in 1990, on a trans-European backpacking trip as a recent graduate (much poorer than I am today). I went to Hungary to visit my father's old country, and was simply shocked to realize that my canuck bucks could buy a ticket to a 1st-class opera performance for $1.50, or that a grocery order that cost $30 back home only cost me $3 worth of Forints.

I had no intention of settling down in Budapest, so never thought about buying land there. But, I bet that an acre of fertile land on the edge of the city there, that might have cost me $20,000 then, is probably worth close to $500,000 now. Guess it's just Chch's turn...

By the way, the realnz website has revealed to us that there are places - primarily most of the west coast areas of both islands - where property costs about half or even less than around Chch. It's nice to know that there are such affordable places left in NZ - we just need to get on the road and check them out firsthand.

I'll put out the call again: any opinions on any of these regions would be very helpful from listees!

Cheers,

Rob

[eric_amanda]

Hi Rob

I can only comment on where we are in Whangarei, but depending on how fussy you as to location etc, I would bet you could pick up a reasonable section in and around Northland within your budget. And with the good climate here horticulture and Agricilture is BIG.

Its all down to personal preferance etc etc, but if you want any help advice on the area, let me know.

Best wishes

Amanda

PS See the recent thread on Whangarei in the Where to live forum for some good websites

[tigerlily]

Not warmer than Chch, but I was impressed at how cheap the land and houses around Dunedin were. Maybe peek there? Ag seems to be the thing all over Otago.

[Rob K]

Thanks for the further replies, Robert, Amanda, and tigerlily. You've all given us some more ideas about where to look.

Regarding Northland: we read with interest Amanda's reference to this area being ideal for horticulture. We are curious as to why this part of NZ has not been more popular with immigrants, and therefore experienced the same kind of land rush and soaring prices as elsewhere. Does anybody have any idea why Northland is still so undeveloped - when it seems to have such an ideal climate and growing conditions?

Cheers,

Rob

[eric_amanda]

Hi Rob

Been wondering that myself, although there are quite a lot of immigrants here in Northland and I have come accross quite a few myself and people always tell me there are now lots of English here in Whangerei. It is my opinion that this site does not show a good cross section of where immigrants are going.

The last few years here in Whagarei has seen an upturn in property/land etc but in comparison to the rest of NZ property is still relatively 'cheap'. It is the opinion of REal Estate Agents that there is still a lot of growth potential left in Whangarei and Northland.

As for Horticulture etc Avocados are BIG here, (we are currently looking at putting some in!). So are kiwi fruit, and citrus etc.

If I can help further just let me know.

Amanda

[veronica]

Can't be certain but it may have something to do with the northland area not having a lot of employment opportunities, a high maori and islander population and a poor socioeconomic outlook. Any one out there who can shed any more light on the situation up in the northland.

[Glenda]

It is strange, isn't it?

Northland is the most stable area of NZ. In fact some 'experts' have indicated that the capital of NZ should be moved to Northland as Wellington is too prone to earthquakes and/or tsunamis. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=184&ObjectID=10010082

One suggestion is that Northland stretches between 3-5 hours from Auckland. The roads are generally are hilly and twist and turn, making the route more tedious. Furthermore, Auckland is THE big place, THE magnet - the place for youngsters to move to and usually stay. Kiwis live where there is work, a lot of Kiwis go north to holiday, camp or stay in their baches, which could have been bought for just a few $000 a couple of decades ago.

The area is becoming more popular. Some areas are even becoming expensive. Some areas are quite poor and, yes, these are generally populated by Maoris who culturally seem to have a more laid-back approach to life than Pakehas. There is a higher population of Maoris and Pacific Islanders in Northland - I think it is 30% over a NZ average of 16%.
www.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/CommProfiles.nsf/FindInfobyArea/01-rc

[richard]

Chch is just too expensive for us, and we've needed the 2 months here to realize that. Wow, is property ever expensive here!



You are right, there still seems to be masses of interest in property at the moment in ChCh. We had our eye on a 4 bed just round the corner from us. The GV was $366k so it should realistically have gone for low $400's. We went to the auction with a $450k limit in mind but watched it sail past that to end at $480k. Even the auctioneer said that the people who bought it had paid far too much for it. Unfortunately that now sets the expectations for other house owners in the area if they want to sell.

Someone else we know sold their house for 40k over the asking price as there were 3 people chasing the same property.

[eric_amanda]

Glenda and Veronica it was interesting to read your comments. You are both right in that there is a larger than average Maori population here in Northland but to be honest I do not particularly notice this although I think Eric does through his work.

As for jobs, well again it depends what industry you are in really. Eric landed his job here within weeks of us first looking (optometrist). Tourism is really big here as is Agriculture and Horticulture. As for jobs like IT etc, I would assume that this type of job would be few and far between. Since Rob K is a teacher I must add that they do have schools here and so i would imagine teaching post come up periodically.

Whangarei is only 2 hours drive from Auckland (about 2 1/2 from the airport). The Bay of Islands would add about another hour to that. Kaitia, about another hour again.

You are right that a lot of Kiwi's tend to use Northland as a holiday destination, in fact we have spotted quite a lot of Aucklanders have holiday homes here (our neighbours being one) and it is my understanding that the council have recently clamped down on people putting heli pads in their back yards, as this is what the wealthy Aucklanders are doing. Not to mention that Cher was also looking at property up here last weekend!!

Roads in some places are a bit twisty and windy, but have improved vastly in the last 20 years and there are big plans to improve them further still.

My comments to those that may be interested in Northland is to not cross it off your list just yet, do a little research it really is a beautiful area.

Amanda

[Timbo]

Amanda. I just read about the ongoing plans for the coal fired power station up your way. :hopeso it does`nt happen. This sort of thing flys in the face of NZ`s image.

[eric_amanda]

Hi Timbo

Your right, this sort of thing does nothing for NZ. There is heavy opposition against this power station, and greenpeace are putting in a lot of time on this aswell, they just spent over a week on top of the building :nice1

Personally, I think they will be lucky to get consent with so much opposition etc etc. They are having a hearing on it in June I think and there have been over 3000 submissions, mostly opposed on the matter. They expect the hearing to last over two weeks.

Not sure it will effect us so much here on Vinegar Hill, but I wouldn't like to live in Onerahi or Bream Bay :no

It would however create quite a number of jobs, as does the existing Marsden Point Oil Rining Company. From what I gather from locals the vast majority of immigrants have jobs out there mainly as engineers and some in IT.

Amanda

[ruthyroo]

Would agree that it is lack of employment opportunities that keeps the migrants out of Northland. Recently staying with friends in Russell, the standing joke is that every business there is for sale. Tourism is the only industry, and that is both fickle and seasonal. We did look into teaching (DH is a teacher) but were put off by locals, mainly becuase at secondary level the high maori population / lack of opportunities / lack of aspiration make it a very very difficult job... and as we are currently in Rotorua we have zero intention of going somwhere with even more of those problems! I think I could happily settle in Russell / Northland if I was self sufficient i.e. didn't have to seek employment - it is a stunningly beautiful and friendly place.

[Timbo]

http://www.homesell.co.nz/new_zealand_real_estate/2767.php

Lots of land for the $$$

[Hannah-NL]

Had just been drooling over this one earlier today! :nice1

[eric_amanda]

But have you ever been to Kawa Kawa?????!!!!!!!! :eek :eek

[Hannah-NL]

LOL, nope, is it that bad?

[eric_amanda]

Hill Billy Town!!! :eek

Not as bad as Morewa though!!! :eek :eek

Kawa Kawa has one good thing going for it......its not far from the BOI :nice1 In fact, I think we must have driven past that property yesterday as we were in the BOI and that house is on SH1. ;)

I guess it would not be that bad............. :?

[Timbo]

If you like remote;

http://www.harcourts.co.nz/pcQSearch?qst=CO702

[kiwicurious]

Hi Rob,
I was relieved when I finally found another Canadian on one of these New Zealand forums. We were starting to wonder if we were the only ones wanting to leave our wonderful country for a different lifestyle. My hubsband has a Maths/Civil Engineering background too and is interviewing tonight for a job in Whangarei.
We are a little stressed about the feasibility of a move with the Canadian dollar vs. house prices in New Zealand as well as tax rate (39%???) and utility costs. Have you made the move from Christchurch? Any insights from a Canadian perspective would be well appreciated. Hubby has applied for jobs in Canada as well...Ottawa, Nova Scotia. Response times are so much slower in Canada. Calls from New Zealand came the next day! Currently living in a suburb of Montreal.

Deb