Arriving to Christchurch
Settling in New Zealand after a thrilling move can be quite a challenge. Each country has its unique way of doing things, and New Zealand is no exception. But don’t worry; with a little bit of patience, we’ll be able to adapt to the new environment in no time.
Upon arrival in Christchurch, I received a bag with 3 COVID self-tests at the airport. The instructions were clear: take one test on that day and another in 5 days, then report the results. Luckily, I didn’t have to quarantine for 14 days.
It can be challenging to ensure the accuracy of reported results. Relying solely on someone’s integrity may not always be the most reliable option. I wonder how many people gave false results.
Acquiring a Car
We were lucky enough to find a great used car through a friend of my husband’s ex-coworker who retired in beautiful New Zealand. After searching high and low for a car to buy or lease online, we finally found one that runs like a dream.
Looking for Rentals
Finding a place to live in New Zealand is difficult without local contacts. A valid New Zealand address and phone number are mandatory when contacting homeowners or realtors for property information. Emailing realtors directly may not work, as not everyone will respond before you arrive in the country.
Where to Find Housing
Two websites where you can find rental or homes for sale in New Zealand are Trademe and Harcourts. Trade Me is similar to Facebook market or Craigslist, where you can buy, sell, and look for properties and vehicles. However, you need an NZ address and phone number to register if you want to contact anyone.
The real estate process in this country operates differently from that in the US. Rather than a realtor conducting a search for properties with your specific criteria and providing options for you to choose from, agents here only showcase listings from their own company. Should you desire to view properties outside their list, you must reach out to other real estate agents. It appears that communication and collaboration among agents is lacking.
The Process of Renting
Once my husband arrived, we went over the website for available properties, and he proceeded to view them. Unfortunately, we were ineligible for renting in New Zealand due to our insufficient credit score, inadequate rental history, lack of previous addresses, absence of proof of earnings, and lack of references. Once you have filled out the online application, you can expect to receive a notification of your selection through email.
What To Look For
You can find a variety of homes and apartments, ranging from modest to modern. Some older homes have charisma and are in good condition. When choosing a place, ensure it has a good heating system, such as a heat pump, because houses in New Zealand aren’t as well-insulated as they should be.
Market Prices for Rental
When choosing a home, keep in mind that some older homes may only have one bathroom. Certain rentals have a no-dog policy, but most allow cats. All units are non-smoking; some come with appliances, while others do not. We had to buy a fridge and washer/dryer as they were not provided. Additionally, note that electrical currents may differ from those in the USA or Europe, so a converter may be necessary.
Officially Settled
The site of our home was once an airfield, but it is now located in a city that has undergone expansion following the 2011 earthquake. Our neighborhood is full of new and modern homes.
We came home to a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with an office, living room, dining room, kitchen, garage, backyard, and plenty of storage. Our fence separates us from five neighbors. Although we wanted a home with more green space away from the city, our non-national status made it difficult to qualify, so we took the first option available.
Now it’s time to get your utilities sorted. You can look into companies that can help you find better deals on gas, electricity, and internet services and even send you the contract if you’re happy with it. When we were setting up our internet, we went with our cellphone provider at first, but we found out that Vodafone had faster internet and even had the modem ready for us to set up.
I am uncertain about the payment process as we have not received our bills yet.
Our household items arrived three days ago. It felt like Christmas because the last time I saw my things was in September 2021. Today is May 5, 2022, and I couldn’t remember what I had coming and what I left in storage for my son. I felt overwhelmed, but I’ve become a pro at moving.
Today, we are installed and happy in our new home.
“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends.” by Shutterfly Community