Justcol

Which Island, North or south ?
South has far more of what you've listed than the north and apart from central otago lakes region, isn't as expensive as the north. Queenstown, Arrowtown are very expensive. Further afield,Cromwell, wannaka, Alexandra etc are more affordable.
There are mountain ski fields the whole length of the South Island from Rainbow, just outside of Nelson right down to the Remarkables so far more variety and opportunities

BEVS

No need to sigh. We are happy to help and guide.

That would depend where any job offer is & even then if one could uplift a visa.

With regard to homes and housing, it is like anywhere else , some areas cost more than others. What would you consider to be expensive?

With new house builds it is a pic and mix exercise according to your budget. You pick a plan and are given a quote . Then anything extra like more bespoke items or upgrades to the norm are add-ons and you pay for that.

Safe is everywhere. So is the outdoors.

jackinthetree

Thanks Justcol
ls the South island very hard to get around? On paper, it does seem the South might be more suited. Are there any specific areas you can recommend for me to look at? Besides affordability, I'm looking for safety, nowhere in the Tsunami path and isn't a complete pain to travel overseas from. Or is that a bit of a silly list?

jackinthetree

I'm working remotely at the moment, so I guess the key criteria is internet access and a reasonable ability to travel out if I need to do international travel.

jackinthetree

You are too kind BEVS Thank you , I appreciate it. A lot.

I think my questions might be a little silly because I've never actually been, but I don't mind researching from here, particularly house prices. In terms of too expensive, I'm not really sure. Here in Vancouver $1.5M is too expensive for us by far.

I'm glad to hear that safe is everywhere and the outdoors. Those two aspects are extremely important.
I work remotely at the moment, but do need to travel once in a while. My ideal place would be semi rural but not remote. It would have proximity to travel to mountains to ski and hike. It wouldn't be completely decimated by a tsunami or earthquake (if possible) and it would be a family friendly, relaxed atmosphere. And safe.

BEVS

You might well do but that won't get you into New Zealand any time soon or later for that matter. Perhaps it might be better to focus on the ability to gain a visa.

As for the rest, anywhere will be fine outside of the cities which are not monster sized anyway.

jackinthetree

Visa is not an issue. Just researching places in case our Canadian dream doesn't work out

Justcol

South Island is very easy to travel around. Chch had a big quake 10 years ago, it's not a concern now. Might be another, might not be, risk isn't enough to make me not live there in the future.
Top bits warmer, bottom bits colder, west coast gets most rain, middle bit is pretty dry, mountains run all the way from top to bottom
trademe or real estate nz for house prices and guides

LittleGreyCat

International Airports
So you need to have reasonable access (but what are your criteria?).

Two hours drive to the International airport limits your scope.
Happy with 2 hour drive to local airport and local flight to International airport?
Almost anywhere.

Not may public transport options, unlike, for example, the UK.

Rete

We replaced all our 12 windows several years ago with double glazed windows (yes, I know, we live in the south of the US and not NZ) and the cost was $11,000. We have recouped some of that cost in the savings on heat and central a/c. Of course, being an older home (1975 build), we have little insulation and sit on a cement slab, no basement. So $15,000 is not that far out of line with us.

jackinthetree

Thanks so much @Justcol. Do you have any other areas you can recommend on the South for me to research. Probably not past middle half as that'd be too cold for me.

jackinthetree

That's really helpful. I guess 2 hours by car is good but we might have to go with the latter, based on what I'm seeing.

Queenstown and Dunedin look interesting but I hear it's very expensive there. I will maybe start researching around here to see if there are cheaper spots in vicinity.

Justcol

For city's you've got Chch, Nelson and Blenheim.
Regions would be Canterbury, Marlborough or Nelson/Tasman,
Smaller towns I like (which counts for nothing), Picton, Motueka, Amberley, Rangiora, Akaroa, Hanmer Springs, Methven, Ashburton, Geraldine.

jayandbill

We're in a new house with double glazing and insulation, in the central north island, but the system of house building here isn't to the standard we are used to in UK.. Even the brick built ones aren't as well insulated . We have one heat pump in the living area, which is open plan ( harder to heat) as are many new houses here, but in winter the temperature in the bedroom is around 12c at night. The house never really feels warm . We also have a ventilation system installed, which reduces condensation. My advice when looking to buy here is buy a new, brick house. in a sunny position.

jarv5116

I think most of the problem is if you live on the north Island it's hot and humid for 9 months of the year where you dont really need heating so the idea is to keep the house cool without using loads of aircon.
Then for the 3 months it's cold. unfortunately grim and bear and man up with a heat pump which is about as much use as putting my wife's hair drier above my head.