Info on Ashburton/Methven area please
 

I have been offered a job based in Ashburton and I am wondering what its like living there with young families? Are there a range of shops, cinema, shopping mall for teenagers to hang out in? What are the most popular areas to live and the most popular schools from primary to high schools?
We have a 2, 10 and 14 year old too please so just trying to get a bit of info from anyone in the know!!!

Re: Info on Ashburton/Methven area please
 

Having spent a few weeks in the area back in late 2013 - what a wonderful area. Gets very cold in Winter - lots of snow but a very gorgeous area. You're about an hour or so away from Christchurch, there are plenty of others on here who can advise you on what CHCH is like.

We stayed not far from Methven in a small village. The people were friendly, its primarily a farming and ski-region but everyone was friendly and in truth, its what I expected NZ to be like (not Auckland). When I have my time again, thats an area I'd consider spending a decent amount of time in.

We got to know a family there, windwhistle was the place I think. Anyway, kids ski, go to school (fairly decent bus system) and virtually everyone has a 4x4.

Good luck!