I am a pretty good internet researcher. I can usually find everything I am looking for (eventually). BUT, I am having difficulty finding websites, blogs etc about living in Christchurch that don’t have something to do with tourism. I want to know about LIVING in the city, not STAYING in the city.
I want to know about: great suburbs too live in; health services for over 50s; craft clubs; walking groups; dog parks; great shopping centres etc.
I know lots of these things seem trivial at this point, but that’s what I have been thinking about.
I could get bogged down in the gripes of others – there are plenty of blogs sharing the issues that others found off-putting. There wouldn’t be a place in the world that didn’t have good and bad points.
I really would love to hear from those of you who have a) moved to another country (not because of a job); b) have done this in mid-life and c) moved to Christchurch from Australia. Can we try to keep it helpful and pleasant please?
Hi Vicky, well we moved to NZ just over 5 years ago from Qld. I too love the climate here, love the four seasons and have really felt very "at home". The people are tremendously friendly and helpful.
ReplyDeleteChristchurch is an amazing place. On the one hand you have the biggest City on the Sth Island, but within 10 mins. of the city centre, you have the Country side! I love it! We actually live out of town, but only 20 mins to the airport. Perfect! The best of both worlds. :-)
The health service I have found to be wonderful. Although there is no medicare system here, you pay at the Dr's and for services etc. anything that occurs because of an accident is covered by ACC. At the Dr you pay for the consultation, you get 3mnths prescriptions at a time (which saves you as the cost for 3 months is about equivalent with what you pay in Oz for 1 month!) so it evens itself out. :-)
Shopping centres.. Christchurch has plenty! Something for every taste! Grocery stores are "Pack n Save, Woolworths, New World and Countdown". There are KMarts, but no BigW's. No Targets or Myers, but there is a shop similar to Myers called Farmers. I've found most things very comparable to be honest, including prices.
We live near Lincoln University on the outskirts of Chch, there are suburbs around here I would recommend. Rollestone being one. It's a "new" suburb, but very nice. Lovely homes, nice shops, and a lovely dog walking park they have just opened up there. There are lots of community based groups like Walking groups, and I would think craft groups. Do a search on Trade Me, on the Community message board under the Craft and Hobbies section. You will find people who share similar interests to yourself I am sure. It's a country full of talented creativity.
Over 50's can join a group called "Grey Power", and they have quite a bit of information for people over the age of 50.
If you are interested in suburbs IN Christchurch itself, I wouldn't know really where to recommend, but out of town, I like Lincoln, Leeston, Springston, Rollestone, Prebbleton, and Templeton.
Hope this is of some help.
Anne :-)