Christchurch, or Ōtautahi in Maori, offers the perfect blend of epic natural landscapes and vibrant city life. As the largest city on the South island of New Zealand, Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region is a popular relocation destination for Aucklanders looking to enjoy both the spoils that city life and the great outdoors have to offer. However, an inter-island move isn’t without complication!
Fortunately, our Auckland movers and Christchurch moving team has helped many Kiwis and their families successfully make the move from the North island down to the South island. We’ve created this comprehensive guide to ensure that you are well-equipped for your inter-island move. Using our expert knowledge, we’ve included everything from what life will be like in Christchurch to how best to prepare for your relocation.
Life in Christchurch
Christchurch has seen a significant transformation since it was devastated by the 2011 earthquakes. Following these challenging times, Christchurch has risen from the ashes and continues to rebuild and expand as a modern city. We break down what everyday life is like Christchurch and how it may compare to Auckland.
WORK & CAREER
Historically Christchurch has been known for its agriculture, tourism and manufacturing industries, however it continues to diversify its economy and expand into new exciting sectors including aerospace, health and technology. The construction industry is seeing a particular increased growth with many of New Zealand’s biggest firms headquartered in Christchurch. You can find employment in Christchurch by contacting employment agencies, or by browsing job sites such as Seek and Jora.
HOUSING
While the housing market is much more affordable than most New Zealand cities, Christchurch has struggled to meet growing demand for housing especially following the subsequent damage to thousands of properties following the earthquakes. According to Reinz’s (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand) Regional Property Report, the median house price in April 2023 was $660,000 compared to Auckland’s price of $1,100,000. Renting in Christchurch is also cheaper, with the average monthly cost of a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averaging to be $2,485 compared to Auckland’s $3,865.
If you are looking to be close to the city, some recommended suburbs include Merivale, Sydenham, and Philipstown. For families who are looking for an abundance of parks and schooling options, it’s best to look around Spreydon, Redwood, St Martins, and Halswell. The eastern suburbs, such as Sumner and Redcliffs, are ideal for those looking to be close to the sea and a quieter lifestyle.
TRANSPORTATION
When it comes to getting around in Christchurch, you’ll be using a car, the bus system or by cycling. The public transport infrastructure in Christchurch is more limited than in Auckland, however you’ll find that the comprehensive bus network and ferry system is sufficient. To use the Christchurch buses, you’ll need a Metrocard which you can top-up to pay your way. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in Christchurch, with many locals enjoying the various cycleways and the local councils encouragement such as tracked cycle counters and heat maps.
CLIMATE
Christchurch enjoys a temperate climate and experiences less rain than other New Zealand cities. In the winter months, you will experience average daily temperatures between 2℃ to 13℃. Unlike in Auckland, Christchurch experiences frosty mornings which are followed by enjoyable sunny days. In the summer, temperatures reach an average high of 23℃ and a low of 11℃.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
One of the major reasons that Auckland residents decide to relocate to the South Island is due to the abundance of incredible outdoor activities and exciting nightlife. There’s no shortage of hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding trails available close to Christchurch. In the warmer months, you’ll find many Christchurch locals surfing and enjoying the beautiful beaches.
If you are looking for bustling nightlife and a thriving arts scene, then Christchurch won’t disappoint. Stroll through the iconic food and farmer markets, numerous art galleries or catch the latest release at the various cinemas. If you are seeking a great pub, quirky restaurant or interesting bar, then you’ll find something excellent in the suburbs of Merivale, Riccarton and Addington.
Planning your move to Christchurch
Now that you have a good understanding of life in Christchurch, it’s time to begin preparing for your inter-island relocation!
PACKING BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
Moving from Auckland to Christchurch means your belongings and furniture need to travel over 1,070 kilometres to reach their new home. Because of this, it’s not enough to simply throw all your items into a bag for the move. Instead, you’ll need to take a more methodical and careful approach to your packing and try not to leave the bulk of your packing to the last minute! Start with packing less frequently used and seasonal items. It’s best to use a moving checklist so you don’t forget anything! We recommend using a professional packing service so you can ensure your belongings are safe for the journey.
MOVING A CAR OR VEHICLE
As having your own car or vehicle in Christchurch is highly useful, you will need to decide whether you bring your current car with you from Auckland, and how you’ll transport it. You can either choose to drive your car yourself or use a professional vehicle transportation service. Driving from Auckland to Christchurch will take at least 16 hours and you’ll also need to take the ferry, so using a transport service can be a better option as it will take the stress off of you and enable you to focus on settling into your new home.
RELOCATING WITH PETS
We know that pets are part of the family, but moving with pets can be difficult even at the best of times. Before you relocate, take your pet to the vet for a check-up and let them know about your move. Because of the vast distance, you may want to consider using a pet transportation service. The professionals will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to their new home in Christchurch, safe and sound!
STORAGE
When packing for your move, you may feel unsure about which belongings and furniture will work best in your new Christchurch home. Using a secure storage service is an ideal way to ensure that your items are safe while you settle into your new home. You can choose between short-term shortage which provides you with much needed flexibility during the move, or longer term storage can enable you to store items for as long as you need. Choose a storage provider, such as Allied, who is able to deliver your stored items to your new home in Christchurch when you are ready.
PROFESSIONAL MOVERS VS DIY
Every inter-island move means facing the big question - do you use a trusted moving company or try to tackle the relocation yourself? For many people, the major deciding factor is whether it’s more affordable to use movers or go the D-I-Y route. You may be surprised to learn that it can actually be more worthwhile to use movers when relocating inter-island. This is because handling the move yourself involves a large amount of different costs including petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses. Using a moving company also gives you the benefit of being able to provide a quote on your specific relocation so you can easily budget for your move and aren’t shocked after adding up the totals.
You’ll also have more time and energy to settle into your home if you use the professionals. Movers will have the right experience, training and equipment to handle your inter-island relocation and carefully look after your belongings, not to mention they will be significantly more efficient.
In the case of using multiple moving services, using a company who can offer a variety of services such as pet relocation, storage, and transit insurance can help give you a more competitive deal than compared to using numerous service providers.