Relocating clients to Queenstown or Arrowtown from Australia is a scenario that we assist with on a daily basis.
Up to 30% of our clients have lived in either Sydney or Melbourne. The most common scenarios are young families relocating for the perfect location in which to raise a family, or late career professionals looking to ease out of roles and work towards an active retirement in New Zealand.
30% of our clients are from Sydney or Melbourne
The Wakatipu basin is such an international community that fitting in is as easy as turning up to Friday drinks at The Fork and Tap, or joining up to be a member of the volunteer coastguard group as one of my clients did. We always act as an expat guide and put some thought into introductions that we feel will be fun & beneficial matches.
Expat living in Queenstown and the wider Wakatipu Basin seems really easy to kick off. Usually it is just a case of us shoulder tapping and facilitating a couple of introductions and they’re away. There are so many varied groups and activities to be part of, and locals are used to welcoming newcomers into their lives.
Many of the “locals” were at some stage new to our region as permanent residents too.
Relocating to Arrowtown is like moving to a vibrant super friendly village
There are many small communities within the Wakatipu Basin. For example, relocating to Arrowtown is like moving to a vibrant super friendly village.
Arrowtown has life which revolves around the numerous golf clubs, café and restaurant culture plus the vibrant arts scene. Throughout the greater region there are numerous festivals celebrating the arts. There is a constant array of exhibitions and concerts to attend, not to mention local productions to participate in.
There’s also never a shortage of friends and family streaming in to come and visit either. Often as locals there are peak periods where we don’t see each other as we’re all hosting!
Four distinct seasons and low rainfall
Living in Queenstown is made all the better by the climate. Having four distinct seasons is mentioned by many as a relished feature. The climate has very low rainfall and lacks the sapping humidity that other popular regions have.
Coming and going couldn’t be easier with the numerous daily direct flights to Sydney and Melbourne which are only a maximum of 2 hours different time zone. A meal and movie and you’re there speaking the same language.
Families that play together stay together
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand – leisure activities are all on the back doorstep with the ski fields, mountains, lake and national parks within half an hours drive, at the most! The multigenerational aspect of these activities also adds to the appeal with families all playing together.
Kids LOVE living in Queenstown & Arrowtown. Nicki, who moved back to the region, couldn’t get her boys back to Hong Kong after Covid; the lifestyle here was just too great. The leisure activities available to them within half an hour of home are beyond most kids imagination – watersports, snow sports, golf, biking, fishing, hunting, rowing. Not to mention the ease of having pets.
Locally grown produce
The nightlife and restaurants are of an international standard, with many international award winning chefs working within the region offering both local and ethnic cuisine from produce sourced from within the region. There is a real café culture in Arrowtown with both village and rural options to enjoy. The wineries, breweries and distilleries are world renowned.
Expat living in the Queenstown basin is all about the wide open spaces and fresh air, for expats who trade the fast lane lifestyle and earning capacity for an endless list of activities that are affordable and being able to grow their own herbs and vegetables in their back yard.
Space and fresh air
The ability to be able to be genuinely in the countryside within less than 10 minutes of most of the residential areas has incredible appeal for many expats especially the children. Having pets and being able to recreate in nature is lifechanging. Also within an hour are fantastic day trip opportunities to other resort towns like Wanaka, Glenorchy and Clyde. We are spoilt for choice.
We often get asked about education and healthcare. As you can imagine teachers and health workers que up to be able to live in the region so the standard or professionals is of the highest. The local public hospital has had significant upgrades recently and a new private hospital was opened in 2023. There are new primary schools in some areas, plus a new High School was opened in 2018.
Recreation on your doorstep
The reality of whipping up the hill at sunrise to put in a few turns before hopping on the desktop is a reality now for many of our clients who have relocated to Queenstown. Their dreams, conjured up while sitting around a crackling fireplace over a stunning pinot and delicious meal, did become a reality – one which we were privileged enough to oversee and facilitate unfolding.