New Zealand for Beginners !

Where would be a good place for beginners to start in New Zealand.

I believe I might just have to avoid Auckland because of the relatively higher costs of living.

For those who are already in NZ, where would be a good place to live ?

Queen Seok Duk said:

Where would be a good place for beginners to start in New Zealand.

I believe I might just have to avoid Auckland because of the relatively higher costs of living.

For those who are already in NZ, where would be a good place to live ?

Click to expand...

Please define good place to live.

I prefer close to bus stop, shops and must have asian grocery shop within 5 mins drive.
It will be good if the Chinatown is within 15mins drive.
But I do not want to live too close to high Asian population suburbs.
If possible, a park with lake nearby.
Easy access to motorway.
Low crime and property prices high enough to deter funny people buying/renting.

No need good school or uni nearby.
The local council rate reasonable.

Thanks in advanced

I'm not familiar with the different cities.

I'm looking to purchase a house, with scenery and near town where I can get my groceries easily.

Other than Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, the rest of the names sound pretty alien to me.

I need to start from somewhere.

Queen Seok Duk said:

I'm not familiar with the different cities.

I'm looking to purchase a house, with scenery and near town where I can get my groceries easily.

Other than Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, the rest of the names sound pretty alien to me.

I need to start from somewhere.

Click to expand...

I am trying to be helpful.
Perhaps, this book may help. It will help if you can get the latest 4th edition, if there is one.
Living and Working in New Zealand, Third Edition: A Survival Handbook (Living & Working in New Zealand) (Paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Working-New-Zealand-Third/dp/1901130290

Thanks, but not about to get a book yet.

I'm looking for a house, but don't know which city to start.

Queen Seok Duk said:

I believe I might just have to avoid Auckland because of the relatively higher costs of living.

Click to expand...

The cost of living in Auckland is lower compared to the smaller towns and cities because large cities enjoy economies of scale.

Houses in Auckland can be expensive in the established swanky areas but are very affordable in the new suburbs. EG: http://www.realestate.co.nz/1295514

While you can definitely find cheaper housing in the small towns, the potential for capital gain is limited because small towns don't grow very quickly. In fact, there is a distinct possibility that the town may shrink and housing prices would then go south. Chances of this happening in Auckland are remote.

Queen Seok Duk said:

Where would be a good place for beginners to start in New Zealand.

I believe I might just have to avoid Auckland because of the relatively higher costs of living.

For those who are already in NZ, where would be a good place to live ?

Click to expand...

Different people have different taste, needs and expectations. You cannot do your research simply by sitting in your chair in Singapore listending and reading bias posts.

Best advice is to go take a vacation (FREE & EASY) and 'RECCE' the cities that you know first (eg Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), followed by the satellite provincial towns near these major cities.

Only You can decide what suits your tastes, needs and budget.

kiwibird7 said:

Best advice is to go take a vacation (FREE & EASY) and 'RECCE' the cities that you know first (eg Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), followed by the satellite provincial towns near these major cities.

Click to expand...

Vacations don't provide an accurate assessment of what day-to-day living is going to be like.

I know of two families who decided, after a tour of NZ, that Queenstown was paradise on earth and they settled down in a nice cosy home overlooking lake Wakatipu.

Neither lasted more than a year there. They have both since moved to Auckland.

Kiwibird and Leongsam are right. You need to live at one place for at least a couple of months to find out if you really like living there long-term.

Auckland has the highest concentration of Asians, so it is relatively easy to find Asian shops and food. You can also easily find pockets in Auckland where the Asian population percentage is very high (sometimes 50% or more). This is much less common in Wellington and Christchurch would probably be worse. For new immigrants from SG, I would generally advise them to try Auckland first as it would feel most like home unless they have relatives or good friends elsewhere. The drawback is that property prices in areas favoured by Asians tend to somewhat higher as these are usually near the good schools.

littlefish said:

Kiwibird and Leongsam are right. You need to live at one place for at least a couple of months to find out if you really like living there long-term.

Auckland has the highest concentration of Asians, so it is relatively easy to find Asian shops and food. You can also easily find pockets in Auckland where the Asian population percentage is very high

Click to expand...

A couple of months at the height of summer is a lot different than a couple of months of deep winter especially in the South Island.

My advice is for Singaporeans to stay away from areas where there are a high concentration of Asians. If they like being with Asians, they should stay put in Singapore.

littlefish said:

Auckland has the highest concentration of Asians, so it is relatively easy to find Asian shops and food. You can also easily find pockets in Auckland where the Asian population percentage is very high (sometimes 50% or more).

Click to expand...

My uncle is toying with the idea of buying a martial art school in Auckland.

The white owner wants out because he sees more asians than whites everyday and he wants to move to another town where there's fewer asians around.

Is it legal to turn part of the martial art school into living quarters in Auckland?

littlefish said:

Kiwibird and Leongsam are right. You need to live at one place for at least a couple of months to find out if you really like living there long-term.

Click to expand...

Some people in their 20/30s who have no relatives in NZ may choose to take up a university course. Because, that is the quickest way to find friends, get accomodation and possibly a part-time job.
It is also possible to get the neccessary references for banking, future property rental, work and possibly recommendations.

I'm glad that this thread is beginning to attract quality posts

Frankly, I agree with Sam on a few issues. That Auckland might be more expensive, but the potential of property gains is there compared to smaller towns. I'm also not keen on moving into a community where there is a high Asian concentration. I've lived in Thailand and Taiwan, so I've had enough of Asians. I'm not worried about Asian food, as I'm able to cook.

My plan is to stay 3 to 6 months in NZ every year, since my Singapore passport is Visa exempt for 90 days, up to maximum of 180 days per year.

I'm trying to run away from the hot weather in Asia. At the moment, Thailand is hovering between 35 degrees to 39 degrees everyday.

I'm looking for a house, preferably below NZD200K for a start and located near a big supermarket. That would take care of my daily groceries.

Okay, you're probably pretty keen on moving to New Zealand. New Zealanders have been moving too though. We discover where New Zealanders prefer living in New Zealand. The results will probably surprise you.
We're Leaving
New Zealanders have been on the move during the last few years. Most of the movement has been focussed on better weather, better prospects or lower house prices.

The three regions people have been keenest to leave are:

• Auckland, North Island
• Manawatu-Wanganui, North Island
• Southland, South Island

Auckland's house prices have risen to extraordinary heights in recent years. Although falling prices and falling interest rates have improved affordability in 2008, most people benefit financially from leaving Auckland, provided they don't lose too much income. Retired people can often release a large capital sum by leaving Auckland and moving to a cheaper location. Many retirees move to the Waikato, a region to the south of Auckland, or Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.

Southland is a rural area with no large cities that has suffered from depopulation. Thankfully, owing to a revival in the fortunes of the dairying industry, there is more optimism in New Zealand's rural areas than there was a few years ago. Export prices for dairy products in the first decade of the twenty-first century have been substantially higher than they were during much of the depressed 1990s. As a result of this, farm incomes and the value of dairy farms - and agricultural land in general - have risen substantially. Prior to the revival, many rural regions had been depressed and people had been moving elsewhere in New Zealand or moving to Australia. New Zealanders enjoy automatic residence rights in Australia, so it is an easy move to make.
Would the last person to leave please switch off the lights?
Between 1998 and 2000 more people left New Zealand than arrived. Around 450,000 New Zealanders currently live in Australia. The flow of departures for Australia was stemmed for a few years because of the improving economic situation in New Zealand, particularly increased job opportunities. The flow then increased again, before falling as the recent worldwide finanancial crisis reduced opportunities in Austalia. In 2009, net migration to New Zealand increased, mainly as a result of fewer New Zealanders moving overseas.

The average working family from New Zealand is around NZ$5,000 p.a. better off living in Australia than in New Zealand. Australia's economy has continued to do well relative to most Western economies because of continuing demand for its mineral and mining exports.

In the table below, we show the number of people New Zealand has gained or lost through migration in each of the last fifteen years. Even in the years of outward migration, New Zealand's population continued to grow because births exceeded deaths and departures.
Moving To New Zealand (and away)
New Zealand's Population Gains (and Losses) through Migration
To July of the Indicated Year
Year Population Gains/Losses
1993 +11,000
1994 +19,000
1995 +25,000
1996 +25,000
1997 +10,000
1998 -7,000
1999 -10,000
2000 -10,000
2001 +5,000
2002 +38,000
2003 +42,500
2004 +20,600
2005 +6,900
2006 +12,100
2007 +9,000
2008 +5,200
2009 +14,500


The people of Southland's main city, Invercargill, were very aware of an exodus. In ten years, the city's population had dropped from over 56 thousand to below 50 thousand. But Invercargill has fought back and has managed to reverse the exodus, with a small gain of 500 people in the last few years. Its council launched an innovative drive to attract students to the town by offering them zero-fee education at the Southern Institute of Technology. Economists advised the council that the predicted 1,000 extra students would bring more money to the local economy than the zero-fee scheme would cost.
The Best Places To Live In New Zealand
The 2006 census figures from StatisticsNZ - these are the most recent available - reveal four regions New Zealanders have been keenest to move to. These are:

• Canterbury, (Christchurch)
• Bay of Plenty, (Tauranga)
• Waikato
• Otago

Many are surprised that Auckland does not feature as the main destination for relocating New Zealanders. Auckland's population is indeed growing quickly, fuelled by immigration and births, and half of all migrants to New Zealand live in the Auckland area.

But, as we have seen above, more New Zealanders have been moving out of the Auckland Region than moving in, particularly people aged 30 years and over. Canterbury, Bay Of Plenty, Waikato and Otago are the regions where New Zealanders prefer to relocate to in New Zealand.

Between 2001 and 2006, Canterbury gained more than 8,000 residents from other parts of New Zealand, while Bay of Plenty and Waikato each gained over 5,000 and Otago gained 4,500.

(This continues a trend seen in the previous five-year period when, between 1996 and 2001, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty each gained more than 8,000 people from relocation within New Zealand.) At the same time, Auckland lost about 2,500 people to other New Zealand regions.

The Bay of Plenty, and especially its main town of Tauranga, have become popular retirement areas owing to their warm, sunny climate.

Canterbury is now home to more than half of the South Island's population. Christchurch, the main city, is often said to be the precision engineering and electronics capital of New Zealand.

Waikato has a number of pleasant, small towns close to the city of Hamilton and Otago offers very affordable housing close to or in the university city of Dunedin.

Soul_Reaper said:

Is it legal to turn part of the martial art school into living quarters in Auckland?

Click to expand...

You need to apply to council for resource consent. Whether it will be granted depends upon the details. If the proposed plans do not meet current rules, consent will be denied or you may be asked to resubmit the application after making the appropriate changes. Much depends upon the zoning laws where the school is located.

Queen Seok Duk said:

I'm glad that this thread is beginning to attract quality posts

I'm looking for a house, preferably below NZD200K for a start and located near a big supermarket. That would take care of my daily groceries.

Click to expand...

I would recommend that you settle for rental property first. But then again that would be difficult to sign even a short term contract if you plan to stay for only a maximum of 180 days in a year.

To get a property for NZ$200,000 and be located near a big supermarket is an impossible dream. It would have been possible maybe like 20 yrs ago.

Most of the really run down houses in Christchurch already cost >NZ$200,000 and you will end up in 'bad' neighbourhoods populated by Maori and Polynesians (operating gang houses or 'tinny' houses selling Cannabis).

Your budget could be possible in 2006 only in the Southernmost tip of South Island (INVERGARGILL) the home of most SKINHEADS and run by a 'weirdo' Mayor called Shadbolt

Perhaps this website would give you a REALITY CHECK on real estate prices in NZ

http://housepricenz.com/christchurch-house-prices.html

Christchurch
REINZ Average House Prices For Selected Suburbs

Location Average House Price
July 2006
Christchurch West - Avonhead $320,000 - $340,000
Christchurch West - Fendalton / Merivale / Ilam $430,000 - $460,000
Christchurch Seaside - Redcliffs / Sumner $540,000 - $580,000
Christchurch South West - Hornby / Hallswell / Hillmorton $310,000 - $330,000
Christchurch South West Inner - Addington / Somerfield / Spreydon

South Island
REINZ Average House Prices For Selected Towns

Location Average House Price
July 2006
Nelson $300,000 - $320,000
Timaru $190,000 - $220,000
Queenstown $510,000 - $530,000
Dunedin $240,000 - $250,000
Invercargill $140,000 - $150,000

North Island
REINZ Average House Prices For Selected Towns

NORTH ISLAND
Auckland
REINZ Average House Prices For Selected Suburbs
Location Average House Price
July 2006
Auckland North - Albany $520,000 - $550,000
Auckland North - Birkenhead $460,000 - $490,000
Auckland Central - Eastern Suburbs $670,000 - $710,000
Auckland Central City $330,000 - $360,000
Auckland Central - Mt Eden / Epsom $540,000 - $590,000
Auckland West - Henderson $325,000 - $345,000
Auckland South - Papatoetoe $290,000 - $310,000

Location Average House Price
July 2006
Whangarei $260,000 - $290,000
Hamilton $300,000 - $310,000
Tauranga $330,000 - $350,000
Napier $280,000 - $300,000
New Plymouth $270,000 - $290,000
Palmerston North $230,000 - $250,000

kiwibird7 said:

To get a property for NZ$200,000 and be located near a big supermarket is an impossible dream. It would have been possible maybe like 20 yrs ago.

Most of the really run down houses already cost >NZ$200,000 and you will end up in 'bad' neighbourhoods populated by Maori and Polynesians (operating gang houses or 'tinny' houses selling Cannabis)

Click to expand...

Perhaps it is also about time I plan for NZ.

What would be the realistic price for a 3bedroom 2 bath house in a location near convenience shops/public transport?

How is Auckland divided geographically. I noticed people talking about North, South, Central, etc. Is that a bay or river or rail line separating the different locations?

Are the Pacific Islanders and lower income found all over Auckland or restricted mainly to the South, Central and Southeast?

What are some of the desirable suburbs that comes to your mind? I heard of Hillborough, Mt Albert, Baywater and Burswood.

Eg Burswood in Perth, I associate the suburb with riverside homes, largely middleclass, safe, a casino and a Singapore property developer jailed for fraud.

neddy said:

Are the Pacific Islanders and lower income found all over Auckland or restricted mainly to the South, Central and Southeast?

What are some of the desirable suburbs that comes to your mind? I heard of Hillborough, Mt Albert, Baywater and Burswood.

Click to expand...

http://www.auckland-suburb-guide.co.nz/
<table border="3"><thead><tr align="center" bgcolor="#00923f"><th colspan="3"><align="center">List of Suburbs & Ratings </align="center"></th></tr><tr bgcolor="#00923f"><th>Suburb </th><th>Location </th><th>Rating </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Albany
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Arch Hill
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Avondale
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Balmoral
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Bayswater
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Beach Haven
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Belmont
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Birkdale
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Birkenhead
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Blockhouse Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Botany Downs
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Browns Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Bucklands Beach
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Burswood
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Campbells Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Castor Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">City (CBD)
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Clendon
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Clover Park
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Cockle Bay
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Conifer Grove
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Dannemora
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Devonport
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Donegal Park
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">East Tamaki
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Eastern Beach
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Eden Terrace
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Edgewater
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Ellerslie
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Epsom
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Farm Cove
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Favona
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Flat Bush
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Forrest Hill
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Freemans Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Glen Eden
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Glen Innes
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Glendene
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Glendowie
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Glenfield
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Glenvar
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Goodwood Heights
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Grafton
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Green Bay
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Greenhithe
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Greenlane
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Grey Lynn
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Half Moon Bay
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Hauraki
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Henderson
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Herne Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Highland Park
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Hillcrest
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Hillsborough
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Hobsonville
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Homai
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Howick
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"><td width="175">Karaka Park
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Not available
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Kelston
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Kingsland
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Kohimarama
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Leabank
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Lincoln
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"><td width="175">Long Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Not available
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Lynfield
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Mairangi Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Mangere
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Mangere East
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Mangere Bridge
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Manukau
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Manurewa
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Massey
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">McLaren Park
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Meadowbank
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Mellons Bay
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Middlemore
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Milford
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Mission Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Morningside
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Mt Albert
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Mt Eden
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Mt Roskill
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Mt Wellington
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Murrays Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">New Lynn
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">New Windsor
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Newmarket
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">North Harbour
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Northcote
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Northcote Central
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Northcross
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">One Tree Hill
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Onehunga
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Opaheke
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Orakei
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Oranga
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Oratia
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Otahuhu
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Otara
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Owairaka
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"><td width="175">Pahurehure
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Not available
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Pakuranga
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Pakuranga Heights
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Panmure
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Papakura
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Papatoetoe
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Papatoetoe West
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Parnell
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Penrose
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Pinehill
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Point England
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Ponsonby
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Pt Chevalier
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Ranui
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Red Hill
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Remuera
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"><td width="175">Rosehill
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Not available
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Rothesay Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Royal Heights
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Royal Oak
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Sandringham
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Shelly Park
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">South Epsom
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Southdown
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">St Heliers
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">St Johns
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">St Lukes
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">St Marys Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Stanley Bay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Sunny Hills
</td><td width="77">East
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Sunnybrae
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Sunnynook
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Sunnyvale
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Target Road
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Takanini
</td><td width="77">Southeast
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Takapuna
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Tamaki
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Te Atatu Pen.
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#fffcdc" valign="top"><td width="175">Te Atatu South
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Te Papapa
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Three Kings
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Titirangi
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Torbay
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Totara Heights
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Unsworth Heights
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">Waiake
</td><td width="77">North
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Waikowhai
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Wai-o-Taiki Bay
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Waterview
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Wattle Downs
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Wesley
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#97db37" valign="top"><td width="175">West Harbour
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Top
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Western Heights
</td><td width="77">West
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Western Springs
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Westfield
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e5f2c6" valign="top"><td width="175">Westmere
</td><td width="77">Central
</td><td width="177">Upper Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e3d696" valign="top"><td width="175">Weymouth
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Lower Middle
</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccb95c" valign="top"><td width="175">Wiri
</td><td width="77">South
</td><td width="177">Bottom
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Thanks, Kiwibird.

And thanks for pointing out the issues involving the quality of the neighbourhood. This is something, as a beginner, I'll not be able to analyze.

I have been looking at this website, recommended by NZ Immigration:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-p...roperty/Houses-for-sale/auction-284130791.htm

There are still many houses within the range of 150K - 300K. The problem is, as you've pointed out, I wouldn't know the quality of the neighbourhood.

Queen Seok Duk said:

I have been looking at this website, recommended by NZ Immigration:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-p...roperty/Houses-for-sale/auction-284130791.htm

There are still many houses within the range of 150K - 300K. The problem is, as you've pointed out, I wouldn't know the quality of the neighbourhood.

Click to expand...

That house is in Invercargill. It's a small town at the bottom of the world. It's a shithole and bitterly cold in winter. If there's a power failure, you could be freezing your butt off for 3 to 4 days before power is restored. In the meantime, you're on your own.

The population of Invercargill was shrinking for many years and house prices dropped along with the population. The recent dairy boom has reversed this trend but that'll only last the duration of the boom before the decline resumes.

The economy of the town revolves around dairy farming. I can't think of a place less suitable for a sinkie. You may save a couple of hundred thousand on a house but your misery quotient will consume all of the financial savings and then some. To thrive in Invercargill, you need to have the disposition of a stoic Scott who is used to the the cold, the wet and the desolate with only a dog for company as you go about your business.

To make matters worse, your $300,000 house could only be worth $200,000 when you finally decide you can't endure the torture anymore and wish to end your misery by moving further north or hanging yourself from the garage rafters.

It's a lot better to spend $600,000 in a good Auckland neighborhood and secure a piece of property that will appreciate over the years. Jobs and money making opportunities abound and the weather is a lot kinder.