lbw

Hi there

Just wondering if anyone has made the move to Queenstown with their family? We are strongly thinking about moving to QT, from Perth, WA and have 2 kids, 7yrs and 12yrs. Just wondering what the schools are like, education compared to Oz and UK.

Any thoughts or advice would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers
Lucy

perthfamily

Hi Lucy,

We are thinking same thing, kids 15 and 12, let us know how you go

crap coffee

Why?

well,,, Queenstown to Perth,, I can understand...

Perth to Queenstown... ... ?

bourbon-biscuit

What a helpful post, CC.

I've no idea what it's like to live in QT but I do know it's a heck of a lot of fun to visit and incredibly beautiful! I guess you are in to skiing?

As for education, again I have no local knowledge but I think you'll find the NZ schooling system quite favourable in comparison to WA's.

Hopefully someone will be along who lives thereabouts to give you some advice, good luck

waikatoguy

I know you can't live off the scenery, but it could be one factor.

waikatoguy

I know you're after a British perspective, but this is what I reckon might be the pros and cons of Queenstown, even though I have never lived there.

Pros
1) Remoteness
2) Probably the highest number of rich people per capita of any town in NZ.
3) Upmarket tourist resort.
4) Freezing/snow in winter/30 degrees plus in summer.
5) Scenery.
6) Adventure/skiing.
7) Great Pinot Noir produced there.


Cons
1) Remoteness
2) Probably the highest number of rich people per capita of any town in NZ.
3) Upmarket tourist resort.
4) Freezing/snow in winter/30 degrees plus in summer.
5) High cost of living, especially housing.

hazeandsteve

We've kiwi friends, him from Invercargill, her Ngati something from the east cape, who are doing the reverse.
The financial gains of going to Aus are immense, and they intend to rent their house here out and come back later.
If money isn't a great concern, then I reckon you're doing the right thing. If you need to work for rent/mortgage......Queenstowm ain't cheap.
Best of luck.

(Dave and Andrea, enjoy the hoobie doobies!)

luvwelly

The scenery's fine but the place itself totally lacks character.

crap coffee

I believe Dunedin better,,,, overall.

northumberland

Queenstown is a good holiday destination - as for living there, our friends lived there for 18 months the remoteness drove them mad! They found schools ok - slightly behind UK achievement levels. There daughter's literacy and numeracy levels way above her age group in her class here. She found it very difficult to fit in too.(daughter = age 8)

jmh

You forgot the mozzies.

Mind you there are few round my way right now.