Aussie moving to Christchurch

aurora · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject: Aussie moving to Christchurch

Greetings all cool

I will be moving to Christchurch in January (I have already purchased a one way plane ticket). I have sold one of my properties in Oz and will be using the proceeds to buy two houses in ChCh (one to live in, one to rent out). As far as I know, Australians can live and work in NZ as freely as if they were born in NZ. So I assume that for all intents and purposes I will have the same basic rights and freedoms as a NZ native. I was wondering if there is anything I should be aware of that I should be taking into account at this stage?

As far as money is concerned, I plan to open a bank account when I arrive in ChCh and then telegraph transfer funds from my Aussie account to my new NZ account. I presume that this will not pose any problems.

Any feedback from people in the know would be appreciated.

Thanks!

JCM · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:20 pm Post subject:

Hi aurora, I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm in the know about anything - especially Aussie immigration to NZ - but here's my thoughts for what they're worth. I think you've just about summed it up - it should be straightforward with no problems. Off the top of my head, it's maybe worthwhile checking if there will be any superannuation or tax implications and such like if you ever want to go back to Australia again.

I've never been to Adelaide but I've heard Christchurch people who have relatives in Adelaide talking about it. Adelaide's a much bigger city but they say it has a similar feel to Christchurch (apart from the extreme heat in summer).

After you've spent three years here you'll be asking for 'fush and chups' like a native and be eligible for NZ citizenship. Shy

I hope it goes well for you.

Eve · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 2:45 am Post subject: From Melbourne to Christchurch

Hi Aurora

I can't say that I am in-the-know, but I am also heading to Christchurch before the end of the year. I am happy to see that I am not the only Aussie moving across the Tasman!

We are packing up all our household goods and shipping them over, are we crazy in doing this? (After a month of packing it feels like it Nutcase

)

aurora · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 5:45 pm Post subject:

Hi Eve,

Can I ask how much it will cost you to ship your personal effects to NZ?

I don't have much gear, maybe a few cubic metres, a couch, a queen size bed, and a few other bits and pieces. I have no idea how much it costs to ship these items, or whether it's even worth my while.

At this stage I'm thinking I may be better off buying the basics when I arrive (table, bed, fridge, car, etc).

Eve · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:22 am Post subject:

Hi Aurora,

The shipping container (small 20 foot) costs $1320 plus insurance (which is approx $200 for $10,000 value) plus you would have to add on associated costs involved with movers etc.

We decided to take all our things mainly due to time constraints involved with selling them here. But packing everything is a headache Rolling Eyes

Shipping takes approx 5 days from Melbourne to Lyttleton so hopefully we will arrive before our gear does Hmmm

aurora · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 3:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Eve

Thanks for the info regarding shipping. Which shipping company did you go for, and what are the approximate additional costs for the movers etc?

You plan to arrive in ChCh ahead of your gear, does this mean you already have a residence lined up for when you arrive?

If I sent my gear it would have to remain in some kind of storage after it arrives in Lyttleton, until I secured a place to live. I don't know what the logistics behind this are.

Eve · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 10:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Aurora

The shipping co in question is Patricks International. The container can stay at the port for approx 5 days once it arrives. As we dont have a residence lined up as yet, this allows some time to rent something out or put the gear into storage. Yes it will be a very busy first week in CHCH!

Can I ask which areas in CHCH interest you and why? Have you found a place of residence yet?

aurora · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2003 1:52 pm Post subject:

As far as shipping goes, for the time being I think the best way to go will be to keep all my gear in storage at my mum's place until I have bought a house in ChCh. Once that happens, I will arrange for the shipping of my gear from Adelaide to ChCh. This seems to be the path of least resistance and cost, at this stage at least - I'll probably change my mind again between now and heading off to ChCH on Jan 7!

My preferred choice of residence would be in the St Albans area (very close to the city centre, and close to suburbs with good reputations). However from a speculative point of view I am cosidering using the money to instead buy two properties in the area that lies east, southeast, or south of the city - property prices in these areas are still very cheap, but they are so close to the city centre that I don't think this will last long (based on what has happened in Australian cities over the last four years, where anything within a 5km radius of the city centre has sky rocketed beyond the reach of mere mortals).

JCM · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:36 am Post subject:

Hi aurora, you may be interested in this post from Mar 2003 from a sharetrading site. It was discussing buying property for less than $200,000 and prices will have gone up a bit since then:

posted by cantab:

I am an investor in Christchurch property.

Good school zones is so important even if one never intends to have a family because of resale value. Another thing is to be close to the city as it's no fun sitting in long lines of traffic going home after work say for example down Papanui Road or Riccarton Road. With $200,000 you can't afford the best areas with excellent schools namely Merivale and Fendalton and close by Riccarton on the North side of Riccarton Road is out of your price range also.

If it was me I would be purchasing in St Albans which runs from close to Papanui Road back all the way to Hills Road which is a big area. Buy as close to the Merivale-Papanui Road end as you can. If you can its worth paying to get into that part of St Albans between Papanui Road and Springfield Road commonly referred to as St Albans/Merivale. As far back as Edgeware shopping centre still gets you into those exclusive school zones for a much cheaper price than if you were to buy in Merivale and Fendalton although there is always the risk that the zone could change when one is on the fringe. St Albans is walking distance to Cathedral square, Merivale and so central to everything including most shopping centres.

I agree with some of the other comments such as Sumner and Scarborough being great locations but these are not an option for you price wise. St Albans is, and there are some nice character Villas in that area. If you do it right you will also be sitting on a potential redevelopment site. Put your money into the land not a nice new building. With low inflation the building value will go nowhere but as they say "they aint makin any more land" Thats my 5 cents worth. Good Luck.