Christchurch relocation tips from the hire truck specialists at u-save - helping you plan a smooth move.
Living In Christchurch
Thinking about moving to Christchurch? u-save have compiled some useful information about living in Christchurch, population numbers, climate and transport options. We hope this will help you when planning on relocating to New Zealand’s Garden City.
Geography
Christchurch is located near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Canterbury Plains to the west. Christchurch stretches from the Waimakariri River in the north to the Banks Peninsula in the south.
Climate
Christchurch has a dry, temperate climate, with mean daily maximum air temperatures of 22.5°C in January and 11.3°C in July. Christchurch is located on the east coast and during the summer regularly receives coastal breezes, which moderate the hot temperatures.
Living Costs
The cost of renting a 3 bedroom house in Christchurch is around $400-$500 per week depending on the suburb. The New Zealand average is approximately $525 per week. The majority of housing located within the CBD are apartments or townhouses rather than houses with sections.
House prices vary considerably depending on the suburb and location in Christchurch but average house prices are sitting around $500,000. Find out more about the cost of living in New Zealand here, including a cost of living calculator.
Christchurch Suburbs
Inner Suburbs
Mairehau, Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Avonside, Linwood, Woolston, Opawa, Waltham, St Martins, Beckenham, Sydenham, Somerfield, Spreydon, Addington, Riccarton, Ilam, Burnside, Fendalton, Bryndwr, Strowan, Merivale, Papanui, St Albans.
Outer Suburbs
Marshland, Burwood, Parklands, Waimairi Beach, Avondale, New Brighton, Bexley, Aranui, South Brighton, Southshore, Bromley, Mt Pleasant, Redcliffs, Sumner, Ferrymead, Heathcote Valley, Hillsborough, Murray Aynsley, Huntsbury, Cashmere, Westmorland, Hillmorton, Hoon Hay, Halswell, Oaklands, Wigram, Middleton, Sockburn, Hornby, Islington, Templeton, Yaldhurst, Russley, Avonhead, Harewood, Bishopdale, Casebrook, Redwood, Regents Park, Northwood, Belfast, Spencerville, Brooklands.
Satellite Towns
Lyttelton, Tai Tapu, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Rolleston, West Melton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Akaroa, Motukarara.
Working and Studying in Christchurch
Christchurch has a thriving business centre with a range of large companies and small businesses offering a full and part time employment. Agriculture and dairy farming are key industries and tourism has become a significant sector due to Christchurch’s position as the hub of the South Island.
Education
Schools in Christchurch are among the best in the country, with a good selection of primary, intermediate and secondary schools. These include both government-funded (state) and private schools, many of which have a traditional English “public school” feel. There are also a range of private and partially funded day care centres and kindergartens for pre-school children (age 2 – 5).
State primary schools are co-educational while some high schools are single sex. Admission to state schools is usually by residential zoning, so it pays to check out your preferences for schools before buying a house in Christchurch. House prices in areas close to popular schools can be higher than expected. View a list of Christchurch schools here for more details.
Study Options
Christchurch is an educational hub with 2 major Universities within 20 minutes of each other and an estimated 60 further study institutions. Canterbury University has around 2,000 students, while Lincoln University is much smaller with around 6,000 students and a focus on agriculture, viticulture and science.
Christchurch Transport Options
With an estimated 381,000 inhabitants, Christchurch is the academic and economic hub of the South Island. Transportation is an important part of making the city of Christchurch operate efficiently.
Cycling
Christchurch is the only city in New Zealand that allows bikes to be carried on suburban buses. The area is predominantly flat, making it ideal for cycling. The council places a high emphasis on cycling and operates a number of mountain biking tracks and cycle paths. The popularity of cycling can be seen every weekend with hobby cyclists flocking to the parks and tracks around the city.
Buses
There are a number of bus companies operating in Christchurch, all connecting from within the hub called the Bus Exchange Lichfield Street. Regular bus routes run throughout the city and the nearby districts including Selwyn and Waimakariri as well as the wider Canterbury region.
Taxis
Auckland City has around 40 different taxi companies serving the region. This many taxi companies results in a highly competitive environment, which benefits the consumer in driving down prices. The council has designated many taxi ranks in and around the CBD and has introduced night time taxi ranks to make it easier for people to get taxis at night.
Trains
There are no trains servicing the Christchurch area for public transport; however it is possible to take a train through the national train network to places such as the West Coast and Kaikoura. Trains are used extensively in the Canterbury region for freight purposes e.g. exporting coal from the West Coast and transporting goods to and from Lyttelton Harbour.
The most famous train route from Christchurch is the TranzApline. This tourist orientated rail trip takes passenger across the Canterbury Plains, through Arthurs Pass and on to Greymouth.
Christchurch Tram
Operating as a tourist attraction, the Christchurch Tram commutes around a one-way circuit in the inner city area. The Tram is seen as more of a tourist attraction than public transport, but it is still a great way to do a spot of sightseeing around the central city.
Air Transport
The Christchurch International Airport is located just 10 km from the city centre, roughly a 15 minute drive dependent on traffic volumes. This close proximity makes travelling by air convenient and easy for all visitors to Christchurch. The airport is open 24 hours, and contains various cafes, shops, access to free WiFi and charging points for your devices.
Regular flights depart daily all over New Zealand including Auckland, Nelson, Greymouth, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tauranga, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hamilton.
Christchurch Demographics
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and the third largest in New Zealand, its population is quite diverse and it attracts immigrants from around the world.
Population
Around 392,100 people usually live in Christchurch, which equates to around 8 percent of New Zealand’s total population. The median age is 38.64 years for people in Christchurch compared to 38 years for New Zealand as a whole.
Ethnicity
Around 83.9 percent of the Christchurch population identify themselves as being European compared to 74 percent nationwide. 8.5 percent of the population identify themselves as being Maori, while 9.4 percent identify as Asian and 3.1 percent as Pacific peoples.
Education
80.45 percent of people aged 15 years and over in Christchurch City have a formal qualification, compared with 79.1 percent of people nationwide.
Vehicle Ownership
16.9 percent of households in Christchurch City have access to three or more motor vehicles, compared with 16.1 percent of all households in New Zealand.
Christchurch Truck Hire
Are you about to relocate to Christchurch? u-save has a range of hire trucks to cater for small apartment moves right up to large family homes so contact us for your truck & van hire
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Relocating To Christchurch
u-save offers affordable truck and van relocations from Auckland to Christchurch for as little as $89.00 per day. Just enter in your dates and locations into the search box to check availability, pricing, and to make an instant booking.
Christchurch is located in an area of immense geographical contrast, offering a diverse range of activities within a short distance. Within a 3 hour drive you can go skiing at a top alpine resort, try surfing on the east coast, head out to sea to watch dolphins, whales and penguins, float high above the Canterbury Plains in a hot air balloon, hike through rain forests, see spectacular glaciers and crystal clear lakes, or head to a national park for trekking and biking.