When in Wellington: Top Places to Live in New Zealand’s Capital

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My last post gave you some pretty cool reasons (in my humble opinion) to come and check out Wellington, New Zealandโ€™s capital city.

 

 

However, what happens if you arrive in Wellington, and then decide that you donโ€™t want to leave? Trust me, itโ€™s not such a crazy idea. Itโ€™s exactly what happened to me.

 

 

For my next few posts, Iโ€™m going to give my advice on how to get set up in the city, and ready to start living the life of a Wellingtonian. Today, Iโ€™m going to talk about finding somewhere to live.

 

 

Wellington is broken up into many different suburbs; each one with its own culture and vibe. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest things about the city: thereโ€™s a place for everyone!

 

 

City Lights

 

If youโ€™ve got a decent budget and want to experience true city life, then head for the CBD (Central Business District). Whatโ€™s not to love about being right in the thick of the cityโ€™s restaurants, theatres and nightlife? Oh yeahโ€ฆ the rent. Expect to pay anything from NZD 130 all the way up to around NZD 250 if you want a really swish pad.

 

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Wellington City Night downtown

Wellington CBD at night.ย 

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Hipster Vibes

 

I live in Newtown, which is a suburb about a twenty minute walk from the city centre. Itโ€™s got a really arty/hipster/student vibe, which is cool as long as you like that sort of thing and arenโ€™t easily annoyed by painfully stylish people with flamboyant moustaches. Rent is pretty reasonable and there are a good number of shops, bars and restaurants dotted around. It used to have a reputation for being a bit rough, but I reckon it must have cleaned up its act a lot in recent years, as Iโ€™ve personally never felt unsafe here.

 

 

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coffeeshopswatermark

Newtown also has a lot of good coffee shops

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A Room with a View

 

If you want a quieter environment, and a classier pad with views across the harbour, then you might want to try Mount Victoria. Itโ€™s a little more expensive again, but there are some really lovely Victorian-style houses to be found here (as long as you donโ€™t mind walking up and down hills).

 

 

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The view from a Mount Vic apartment.ย 

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Lifeโ€™s a Beach

 

If you canโ€™t decide between seaside or city life, then head for Lyall Bay. It has a nice beach and is a popular place for water sports, as well as only being about a 15-20 minute bus ride away from the city centre. Rent is also still cheap here compared to other suburbs, so itโ€™s a win-win combination for many people.

 

 

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20070415a LyallBaywatermark

Lyall Bay:ย 

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If none of these areas suit your personal taste, donโ€™t despair! There are a lot more suburbs to choose from. Those listed above are just the ones I know most about (through living there, having friends there or visiting, mostly) but if you want to research more heavily then this site lists a lot more!

 

 

 

So when in Wellington and looking for a place to live, Trade Meย  is going to be your best friend as far as flat listings go. Itโ€™s pretty much the New Zealand version of eBay. The website is easy to use, and you can buy and sell almost anything! Itโ€™s the go-to place for tenants to list rooms for rent, so make sure you check it out if youโ€™re planning a move to the capital.

 

 

 

If anyone has any more tips on where to live in Wellington, then please feel free to comment. Iโ€™d love to hear them!

 

 

 

 

For more info: Visit Trade Me and Rental Results

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Photo credits by:

bestawards.co.nz

sharky.bluecog.co.nz


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When in Wellington: Top Places to Live in New Zealand’s Capital