In this article, we will try to figure out how people live in New Zealand, how expensive housing is for newcomers, how much is real estate and also discuss the cost of renting and buying housing by region.
Content
- Homestay
- On-campus student accommodation
- Hostel
- Apartment
- Unit
- Townhouse
- House
- How to search for the accommodation
- How to safe on rent
- Buying property in New Zealand
Homestay
A financially profitable option of residence is when a student settles in a house of an English-speaking family. This option is also good for English practice. A separate room with a simple set of furniture, a shared shower and toilet, plus internet access is provided. And also, the price usually includes two meals a day on weekdays and three meals a week. Thus, the student does not need to worry about the issue of food and focus on their own affairs.
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $250 per week. The cost in other cities will be about the same, or slightly lower. Availability of families should be requested at the school of your choice, the cost of selection services NZ $ 250.
See options at Airbnb, Homestay, Auckland Homestay.
Accommodation in student hostels (on-campus student accommodation)
Not all, but some New Zealand schools have their own student hostels. Sometimes with shared rooms for several people, sometimes with separate rooms. Typically, with a simple set of furniture: bed, desk, chair, wardrobe. The shower and toilet are usually shared. There is a kitchen, a laundry, a common entertainment room, and internet access. This option is convenient for students who came alone and do not want to spend time travelling to the school.
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $ 120 per week for a shared room, from NZ $ 160 per week for a separate room. The cost in other cities will be about the same, or slightly lower. Availability of the place must be requested at the educational institution.
Student apartments
There are budget apartments aimed at accommodating students and travellers Auckland City Student Accommodation. It includes three building complexes located in the very centre of the city:
Cost in Auckland: from $ 308 / week., Upon conclusion of a long-term contract, discounts are provided.
Hostel
An inexpensive accommodation option, something reminiscent of a hostel, but not located at an educational institution, and is independent of it. A separate room is provided, in which, as a rule, there is a small bed, a table for work, a bedside table and a TV. Shared shower and toilet, per section of rooms or per floor. In rooms that are more expensive, a shower and toilet can be your own. There are shared kitchens and a small cafe. In the kitchen, you can prepare your own groceries, or you can order ready-made meals in the cafe. The Internet is paid separately.
Cost in Auckland: for short-term accommodation from NZ $ 45 per day, for long-term (from 2 months) from NZ $ 190 per week. The cost in other cities will be about the same, or slightly lower.
See options at Booking.com, Hostelworld.
Apartment
In New Zealand, people rarely live in apartments on an ongoing basis, preferring individual houses. Nevertheless, to live in the city centre, within walking distance from the educational institution, is a rather convenient option. In the centre of the city, you can always find apartments for living to your taste. The most inexpensive option is a studio where one room is both a bedroom and a living room. Or one-bedroom apartment, when the bedroom is separate. Living separately is always more comfortable and easier, but somewhat more expensive. In addition, we must not forget that in addition to the cost of rent, it will be necessary to pay bills for electricity, water and the Internet.
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $ 350 per week, electricity from NZ $ 100 per month, water from NZ $ 30 per month, internet from NZ $ 50 per month. The cost in other cities is lower by 20-50%.
See the options on TradeMe
Unit
The key difference of the unit from the apartment is a separate entrance to a whole house and sometimes a small private yard. It looks like a house divided into several sections – apartments. Also, it can be an extension to the house or a self-sufficient part of it (granny flat).
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $ 350 per week, electricity from NZ $ 100 per month, water from NZ $ 30 per month, internet from NZ $ 50 per month. The cost in other cities is lower by 20-50%.
See the options on TradeMe
Townhouse
The townhouse is a stand-alone house of 2-3 floors. But, often, with a common wall with neighbours. Quite a comfortable place to stay. Townhouses look like separate houses glued together. Often they have sunny lobbies and small private yards.
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $ 450 per week, electricity from NZ $ 120 per month, water from NZ $ 30 per month, internet from NZ $ 50 per month. The cost in other cities is lower by 20-50%.
See the options on TradeMe
House
Houses in New Zealand can be very different. The older the house, the more likely it is to get damp and cold. New and warm houses can be harder to find, but they are there, it’s just that you will have to search a little longer. In addition, at the moment, landlords are obliged to gradually insulate the housing that they rent, but this will not happen immediately.
Cost in Auckland: from NZ $ 500 per week, electricity from NZ $ 120 per month, water from NZ $ 30 per month, internet from NZ $ 50 per month. The cost in other cities is lower by 20-50%.
See the options on TradeMe
How to search for accommodation in New Zealand?
Since the cost of renting a house in New Zealand can vary greatly depending on the city, the area, and the quality of the building itself, we recommend that you first study the details. We strongly recommend that you spare a good amount of time in searching for a warm, dry and comfortable home, as this may affect your overall impression of New Zealand as a whole.
How to save on housing in New Zealand?
When you are a student or just arrived in the country, we recommend renting a house together with other people (sharing, flatmates). This will help you save significant costs, which is important, especially at first. In addition, utility bills will also be divided proportionately, which also leads to savings.
- Search for neighbours for a joint lease on TradeMe
- We also publish housing ads and the search for flatmates in our Facebook group
Buying Property in New Zealand
The purchase of a real estate in New Zealand is open to foreigners and extremely profitable, thanks to the constant growth of value and low inflation in the country. Therefore, if you have enough funds to purchase housing, this will save a lot of money from the very beginning. In this regard, the advantage is given to the regions of the country, not the largest city of Auckland. There have been cases when visiting families bought inexpensive housing in one of the smaller towns, where family members were studying. Thus, they saved money for rent, and upon completion of training, if they needed to move, people sell their homes and go without any losses.
Unfortunately, mortgages for students are not available, so this option is not possible for everyone. Nevertheless, we recommend that you read the useful information in regard to this option.
