Zeezee2384

We are considering a move to wanaka. Family wirh young childremSecured a job and would be interested if someone could give me a insight into
1) medical facilities ? Where is the nearest hospital ? Chemists?doc's?
2) eateries ?
3) I believe the cost of living is high but could someone explain further with an example
4) In the winter I understand it's cold but is it dry? Little rain my husband has been told but when I look at forecast recently it's had a lot of rain.
5) clubs for the children
6) schools?
7) is getting to and from Queenstown a difficult drive ? Any public transport ?
8) is it more aimed at tourism then residential?
I'm just worried it may be remote and quiet
Feel v lucky for this opportunity but my husband is adamant we don't need to visit beforehand as it looks beautiful but I feel a visit would be the best as it affects us all and a huge transition.
Many thanks

MrsFychan

Hi and welcome,

weather - https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/reveali...r-and-seasons/
hospitals - https://www.hospitalby.com/new-zeala...naka-hospital/
health centres - it would depend where you are in Wanaka as to which one you would come under
house prices - https://www.qv.co.nz/suburb/wanaka-2395/sold
rentals - https://www.realestate.co.nz/residen...lct=d301&ql=20
https://www.trademe.co.nz/property/r...naka/view-list
driving to Queenstown - The Good South - Driving Wanaka to Queenstown
public transport - https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/plan-your-trip/getting-to-wanaka/buses-to-wanaka/#types%5B%5D=6&categories%5B%5D=121&view=list-view

People obviously live there but the main source of income, I believe, is from tourism

Zeezee2384

Thanks
I'll give these links a good view. :-)

Justcol

I would definitely recommend a visit first, you can only glean so much from photos and google maps.

Its around an hour from Queenstown, however in winter the Cardrona road can often be dangerous /closed due to snow / ice so not an easy drive

mooshroom

Hi

Wanaka is a great place to live. Nowadays it can get very busy with tourists all year round, but is still a small place with fewer facilities than most towns- however this often can be quite good.

1.There is a medical centre housing 2 medical practices (GP'S). There are xray facilities on site, good specialist GP's with additional Knowledge. They do act like an A&E unit on a very small scale. There is a small hospital 45 mins away- Dunstan, mainly for appointments and some medical tests with visiting specialists. A small ward area. No A and E. Nearest full hospital is Dunedin 3.5hrs drive away.
2.So many different eateries, bars etc. spoilt for choice often depending on your food preferences.
3.Cost of living is high. Very high rental/House prices and a major lack of rental properties available as so many houses are Holiday Homes and not let. Petrol and Food-Wanaka is probably the most expensive place in the country for these. There's only 1 small supermarket that gets extremely busy, although they are about to start building another one.
4.The climate is great. Very little rain, sunny although cold in the winter, but clear/sunny and crisp days. Occasionally there is snow in the town, but may be only once or twice each year. Hot in the Summer and very dry.
5. There are so many opportunities for children with lots of different sports clubs and other activities. If there are any in particular you want to know about let me know and I can be more specific.
6.Schools: Wanaka Primary School and Hawea Flat School yr0-6, Holy Family Catholic School yr0-8 (usually a waiting list so have to get your name down). One high school (yr7-13). A new primary school is about to be built in Wanaka. Schools are quite big, smallest approx. 250 pupils, others 600 at primary and 1000 at High School.
7.Queenstown is approx. 1 hour drive with two routes- over the Crown Range that can be affected by ice and snow and may be closed whilst they clear it some days in winter for short periods. Alternative route via Cromwell approx. 1hr 20mins. Not a difficult drive, although often there are a lot of tourists driving these routes which can make for interesting encounters!!!Public Transport is not really available anywhere in the area or to Queenstown, although there are timetabled (occasional) buses tot he airports run by a private company.
8./9. It certainly is not a remote, quiet place however it depends what you are looking for. It doesn't have big shops, they are mostly tourist orientated so you buy online or go to Queenstown. There are traffic Jams, but no traffic lights and may be 3 roundabouts.

Employment wise: There are a considerable number of tourist related jobs, people running their own business' or remotely working for companies outside of the Wanaka area. Unemployment is very low. Professional/Career jobs are not as plentiful as in a major city as there is a limit to how many people are needed in certain professions in a small Town.

Any other questions just ask!!!

carcajou

This.

Wanaka is nice, but your post makes me think that you are going to be working in Queenstown and you are looking at commuting. Think twice about that.

Scout it, and drive that road repeatedly, in winter conditions if you can.

Princess_Buttercup

Family brought land in Alexandra - cheaper and quite lovely.

James Alex

Just relocated after 5 years in Gisborne and considered Wanaka but for me its the transient nature of the population to consider. Absolutely stunning place and nowhere near as bad for tourists as Queenstown but only 7k residents in the town. We didn't feel the population was big enough as Gisborne was around 30-35k and this was noticeably small which anyone who has lived in rural NZ can attest to! Think every time you go supermarket knowing multiple people ha ha

James Alex

Oh and yeah the drive from QT to Wanaka is likely one of the best in world but as noted above id not want to do it everyday and doubt its even possible in winter!

Justcol

There are only around 460 of us in my little slice of NZ (no there isn't a 0 missing )

James Alex

Whatever floats yah boat matey ;-)...Got a pal in Tuatapere...he got sick of QT life so bought a 3 bed with veg garden for 70k. Suspect its not far off 500 mark there!

Welshbird

Where are you moving from? We moved from London just over a year ago, we have 2 children in primary school here.

1) medical facilities ? Where is the nearest hospital ? Chemists?doc's?
There is a Medical centre here and a chemist but no A&E and the closest hospital is in Dunedin.

2) eateries ?
There are a few family places to eat. Francesca's, Jack Rabbit, The Cow, Amigo's, Speight's Ale house. Lots of great cafe's.

3) I believe the cost of living is high but could someone explain further with an example
Yes it is very high and we came from London. Houses and rent very high, rent for a 3 bedroom house is around $500-$600 per week. Average house price is around $1m I think. Weekly grocery shopping is very expensive, we only have the 1 store in Wanaka, New World. Spend will be around $300-$400 per week for a family maybe more. They are building another store but it's another New World owned by the same people. Petrol is also expensive here.

4) In the winter I understand it's cold but is it dry? Little rain my husband has been told but when I look at forecast recently it's had a lot of rain.
The climate is amazing, hardly ever rains and it is very dry. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are cold but with lots of clear sunny days. We do get an inversion layer mainly in May/June time..

5) clubs for the children
Loads to do for the kids, so much on offer!! Skiing, swimming, rugby, soccer, cricket, ballet, jazz, gymnastics, hockey, netball. There is a clip n climb with a climbing club. Also lots of amazing bike tracks/trails for the kids.

6) schools?
Primary schools in Wanaka are Wanaka Primary and Holy Family Catholic school. They are currently building a new primary school. There is only one secondary school, Mount Aspiring College.

7) is getting to and from Queenstown a difficult drive ? Any public transport ?
No public transport, getting to Queenstown will take an hour over the Crown Range. Can be a bit hairy in winter and you will need chains in the car. My husband drives over most days.

8) is it more aimed at tourism then residential?
It is quite touristy here, especially in summer and winter but there are lots of residential/families living here. No shopping, most people shop on-line I think. More shops in Queenstown. It depends what you are after I guess. I find it very remote and quiet but we moved from South London!! It’s great for the kids, a wonderful lifestyle. It is such a huge transition.