As
you may know, we loved New Zealand, especially Christchurch
(CHCH), when we were here ringing in the new Millennium.
Now we've returned, and it's just as wonderful as we remembered. Christchurch, Again December 22, 2001
As
you may know, we loved New Zealand, especially Christchurch
(CHCH), when we were here ringing in the new Millennium.
Now we've returned, and it's just as wonderful as we remembered.
On arriving, we had to do our
thing: find a furnished
apartment to rent. Over 3 days we saw several places, but none that were
right. We were planning on staying more than 3 months and wanting
something nice with enough room for friends to visit. As luck
would have it, what is likely to be the best apartment in all of CHCH was available.
It
hadn't ever been rented before, and it wasn't listed in the newspaper, but our
letting agent had
it hidden away for just the right tenants -- us!. 
It's a spacious, 3
bedroom, 3 bath, all-glass penthouse on 2+ levels, with amazing 300 degree
panorama views from its balconies, pretty much in the heart of downtown.
Its light-wood
interiors, laid out in Cubist designs, contrast nicely with the floor to ceiling
aluminum-framed windows. Aside
from the grand views, there's a grand
(11 foot diameter) round window, and the place comes with
a grand piano. (Damn, neither of us can play it.) It's truly a unique
place and has been written up in architectural magazines and the papers. To top it off, the
apartment is actually owned by a real Knight, Sir G. (his sword hangs in
the entry way). What a find!
After moving in -- two suitcases, two computer bags -- it soon became clear that we still adore Christchurch. We love the weather (long days -- not too hot, not too cold), the people (English speaking and exceptionally friendly), the city (parks, gardens, fountains, restaurants, stone buildings, museums, and festivals), the golf (there are courses everywhere, and they are not crowded or expensive), the nearness of both scenic countryside and endless beaches, and especially the exchange rate, which is even more favorable that it was two years ago. Christchurch's only downside, as far as I can figure, are location -- it's 12 hours to from LA to Auckland and then another 90 minutes by plane to CHCH -- and the airfare, which is about $US 1800. These probably mean that friends are not likely to visit often enough.
Still, we've decided to buy 
a
home, planning to spend New Zealand's summers (November
through
March) here. We've been
reading the classifieds and
visiting open houses to check out the local real estate market and have found a
friendly, helpful realtor. Although we'd prefer a city apartment (nice
ones are scarce; Kiwi's prefer homes with gardens), we've also looked at
townhouses as an alternative. Unfortunately, the penthouse has
spoiled us a bit, elevating our
expectations. But keep tuned; we're expecting to
find a place to buy in the next few months. Christchurch may be our first
permanent home in almost 3 years.