Christchurch?
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25723
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Topic: Christchurch?
Posted By: newmum
Subject: Christchurch?
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 3:37pm
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Hi Guys!
I haven't been on here for aaaaages as life has been mad for us. To cut a long story short Dh was made redundant about 2 months ago and we have come to the conclusion that it's best for us if we move to Christchurch for him to study and upskill for 3 years or so. Question is... Where is good and not so good to live in Chch? We'll hopefully buy down there so I'd love to start to get some idea about where NOT to look and where are good areas. The uni is in town I think? around Riccarton and Ilam etc. Any schools etc. I should look out for, any info would be great!! We'll be coming down early May to start having a look I think. Thanks ladies! :) ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 3:59pm
The great thing about ChCh is that there are not many dodgey areas. The only areas I would really recommend avoiding are Linwood, Aranui or New Brighton. Everywhere else is nice, particularly on the Port Hills eg Cashmere, Mt Pleasant (depending on how much money you are coming with!) Uni is in Ilam. Have fun house hunting 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 4:06pm
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I know a really good real estate agent if you are wanting one (she is my Mummy!) so PM me if you need.
I personally really like Harewood, Bishopdale (two really good primary schools) and St Albans (2 good schools but you have to buy in zone). The reason I like them are because they are really family friendly community type places. They all have really good schools, parks and shopping areas to pop to to grab that last minute stuff. -------------  
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Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 4:14pm
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When we were looking at buying we were mostly looking Hornby way cos DPs mates are all out that way (and some streets were no's there) but depending on your budget Fendalton, Ilam, Burnside or Avonhead arent bad and aren't too far from the Uni. Riccarton has some nice streets but there are some dodgy areas towards Church corner. Id suggest driving around a couple of blocks either side of any house you look at and driving past at night to get an idea if you feel safe in the area. There are lots of areas that are half nice half dodgy. They really need a map that shows you what streets to avoid!
Schools im unsure about Josh's cousin goes to Russley School and his mum really likes it and the others i knew with kids were at Rangiora cos they lived out there. -------------   
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Posted By: surfergirl
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 4:35pm
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Ow! I object! Personally I believe you should come down and have a drive and see what places 'feel' good for you. Even Linwood, which was also not recommended has some very beautiful and affordable homesteads which would rival the mansions in Fendalton (one of the 'old money' suburbs). In regards to schools as i don't have kids (yet!) I can't really speculate and I went to private school so can't really help with perosonal experience either. But isn't there ERO reports available? Another option is to PM Emz on these forums, she is a qualified primary teacher and might be able to give better advice. Best of luck! I think Christchurch is a lovely place to live. |
New Brighton is GREAT. I have lived all over Christchurch (Merivale, Riccarton, Inner City, Ilam, Waltham and New Brighton) and I think Brighton is amazing. It is one of the few places in NZ that offers affordable seaside living. Although there are 'rougher' streets I believe you can find them anywhere. New Brighton has a great cross section of people - young families, older folk, hippies, surfers, and well-off beach lovers (this is evident by the $1m plus homes on the parade). Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 5:19pm
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we are in bishopdale and highly recommend the area...but like any area it has its dodgy streets.
I would go harewood, bishopdale, avonhead, ilam, all good for schools and close to uni. Avoid woolston, linwood, aranui, city and also a lot of hornby and islington is dodgy. Avonhead and Ilam can be expensive which is why bishopdale and harewood are good because they are really close but a little bit cheaper. Riccarton is ok, very busy though and heaps of student flats etc so just be careful where you go. |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 5:22pm
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Sorry surfergirl, I should have said "in my personal opinion".
I agree, there are dodgey streets in nice areas and nice streets in dodgey areas. Probably doesn't make it easy when you move here for the first time now that I think about it! |
Posted By: Muz
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 6:24pm
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We are in Ilam/Avonhead, its fantastic, you can still walk to uni but not close enough to be full of students. The schools here are excellent, my girls go to Westburn which is fantastic, goes to year 8 so you can decide if you want them to continue and get leadership experience or transfer to an intermediate. Its not cheap to buy here, but there is plenty of room for negotiation the way the economy is. Have a drive round and see what you think. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 7:57pm
| I loved Beckenham and the schools there are meant to be good. Its not too too expensive either. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 8:10pm
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Don't go!!!!!! Stay here and both workin the vinnys! lol
I grew up in Bishopdale/Papanui and also went to Harewood School, so lived out that way as well. Bishopdale/Pap are close ish to town and the Uni. Chch has good bus system. My Family all lived in Linwood at some point (cheaper) and while its cheaper, I probably wouln't live there...Thats just me, tho. Linwood has a good mall, but is a bit more, um. Well, yeah. But I'm a snob and you already know that! I can't think of anywhere here that compares. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 8:34pm
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Yeah i grew up in Linwood, went to Linwood from primary to high school and I wouldnt live there again or send my kids there.... and Im not saying that to be snobby or anything cos I lived there for all my growing up years I just wont go back. We have also lived in Hornby and had no problems but a lot of it is really industrial and a lot of it is dodgy.
We loved Redwood too, and Queenspark (Ive moved heaps around chch!) |
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 9:06pm
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I really like Riccarton, Fendalton, Ilam if I had the money I would live there. We live in Hornby/Islington and will say it has a pretty bad rap and it is not that bad and is definitely going places so it is actually a good time to by over here has it is starting to get more expensive so a good place for an invstment aswell we have never had any probs here and James' Daycare is awesome and a real community vibe to it.
Not to sure about schools either has I haven't really looked into thereis a few primary and intermediates to choose from but really only one highschool. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 07 April 2009 at 7:07am
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We are in Casebrook/Papanui, and its really mixed here. Have a minute up the road is a posh new subdivision. have a minute the other way and I always take the dog when I go for a walk.
Mum and Stepdad have just brought a place in Rolleston but they are renting out their homes in Russley and Riccarton Park. Personally I love these areas, walking around the racecourse is beautiful and my brothers love Russley School. There is also back ways to Ilam from here, avoiding alot of traffic. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: emachan
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 8:54am
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Whats wrong with New Brighton??!
I live here and its awesome! Sure, there are a few rough houses in parts of it, but you get that in any suburb! I would recommend New Brighton as its so close to the sea, nice people (like me and all the others I know from groups like plunket), only 10kms from the central city - you can drive to uni in about 20mins in rush hour traffic! I too, have lived all over Christchurch and another area I really loved living in was St Martins - which is over by the base of the Port Hills - not far from Cashmere but rent and house prices are a wee bit cheaper. Awesome school there too! Bishopdale is quite close to uni and if you found a place probably on the airport side of Greers road and towards the airport, there are lots of nice houses over there, but if you're looking for a Housing NZ house - they have some too on the other side of Greers Rd (and you'd be close to Northlands). If you get real close to uni, you might end up paying more for rental (if thats how you're going) as they know houses are at a premium for students! Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD#1 Sept 08 DD#2 Oct 09 |
Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 12:20pm
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hey i live in linwood!!...lol
a home is what you make it.....we have been here just over a year, and have no desire to move. mind you we arent material people...cant buy love and happiness no matter where you live. ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/"> 
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: McPloppy
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 1:52pm
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It also depends on your other interests as you won't live at uni. If you live in the New Brighton, parklands, quenspark , Burwood area you have the forrest, beach and great schools (the reason we moved here) and parks close.
If you go south eg cashmere, beckenham etc there are the hills and parks. Sorry don't know of the schools. Just think of what you want and remember everything else is a short drive or bike away 
However for crime statistics perposes i would avoid Linwood, Phillipstown, Aranui, Hornby and the "hood" area of Shirley. The square of Shirley Rd, Hills rd, Briggs rd and Quinns rd. Sorry if I offend anyone who might live in those areas but they are personally not for me and my family
Good luck and I hope you find what you re looking for. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 2:22pm
I agree with surfer girl New Brighton is incredible! I Just moved to Southshore which is right next door to brighton and this is the view I have across the road
Anyway in my opinion I would avoid Linwood, Woolston and Aranui. I used to live in Linwood and its great for cheaper property but I found a lot of boy racers in that area, also we had to call the police 4 times in the year that we lived there because of dodgy people on our street. I did enjoy the house I was in but you do have to be a lot more careful. Fedalton, Merivale, Riccarton, are all in the more expensive range but have the best schools. I personally favour areas like Sumner, Mt Pleasant, Casmere, Beckenham as they are nice family areas with good schools. I also love New Brighton and Southshore but it's slightly far out so not for everyone. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 3:43pm
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LOL...hows that for helping you..i think you have a suggestion for all areas...good luck ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/">
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 7:17pm
Ana come back to Welly!  We'll join you in about 15 months  ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 08 April 2009 at 10:29pm
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Hiya, if you want to be in walking distance of the uni, then I would look in Avonhead, Ilam, 'Upper Riccarton' (but be careful as sometimes that's Hornby worded nicely), Riccarton, Fendalton, and some parts of Merivale.
But basically anything's a go-er. I personally wouldn't live in New Brighton if one of the two was attending Uni full time - it's a big commute across town and it used to take friends of mine almost an hour (as they were against traffic so could never turn etc) in the morning, whereas I lived 30km out of town and got there in 20 mins! I'll be a bit more specific about suburbs we didn't even consider when looking to buy: Hei Hei (Hornby side), Linwood, Woolston, Opawa (but there are some nice streets there), Shirley, Dallington, Islington, Addington (too commercial for my liking and pretty dodgy having lived there before and had a murder 2 houses down from me), Bexley, Bromley. Um that's all I can think of. If we didn't have to be on the south side of town for DH's work we would have looked at Casebrook/Papanui (again, you need to buy in the right area), St Albans, Harewood, Bryndwr, Halswell (that's where we'll move next lol). We are in Hoon Hay which used to take me 15 minutes to get to to Uni, it takes 15 mins to get into work which is in the central city (that includes finding a park lol), we have everything close but it's still suburbia. As for schools, it really depends on where you are looking to buy as everything's zoned now. Someone mentioned Russley school - I think it's great. Kendal School (Burnside) I've heard mixed reviews about, Riccarton Primary mirrors the racial makeup of Avonhead - there's a vast majority of Asian students going there which is sometimes good, sometimes bad (number of students needing ESOL teachers, leaving class for other lessons etc). Just thought I'd mention it as it's not everyone's cup of tea. Avonhead Primary is lovely. Basically if you look up ERO reports, the higher the decile the better the school is supposed to be, teacher-wise and resource-wise. Obviously there are exceptions, some lower decile schools I've been to are amazing and some higher decile schools are crap, but it's the general rule, and proven that children in the higher decile schools come out with higher educational status overall. It doesn't tend to work for the middle decile schools though for some reason so you have to be careful there. PM me if you have any questions and I can probably get some dirt for you
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 10:14am
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Emz, not to argue with you but high decile schools are not suppose to be better teacher wise! I know lots of really good, qualified teachers that work in low decile schools purely to help and encourage students. Most of the people I know that are teaching in lower decile primary schools are head hunted by high decile schools for numerous reasons so I would def not judge the quality of teachers on a decile rating. Also wouldn't judge resources on a decile rating as often lower decile schools get extra funding from other sources so often have options that higher decile schools need to get parental funding for.
My husband works in lower decile schools so it is something I am slightly passionate about. The main advice I have when looking for schools (I am a secondary teacher and DH is a primary teacher) is to def read the ERO report and def visit a school a couple of times before deciding. My top schools at the mo are: St Albans Russley Cotswold Waimari Burnside Harewood But again that is my opinion only and probably because of the areas I grew up in and want DS to grow up in. -------------
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 11:41am
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I would have to agree with Aquarius... 'A home is what you make it'
We have just bought our first home in Shirley.. yes it is in what we openly call 'the hood' but for the money we paid we got a great deal.. our immediate neighbours are nice, keep their properties nice and we haven't had any problems (oh I lie, other than the boyracers). Prior to this, I have lived in one of the 'posh' streets in Merivale where all 3 of our cars were broken into and trashed... I've also lived near the Uni and wouldn't recommend it whatsoever - the drunk students are a%&$holes! (Sorry) And I haven't lived in New Brighton, but I would totally recommend it - Its awesome there! What a great lifestyle! And the lower prices are a bonus! Anyway, good luck and I hope your move goes smoothly! 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 4:46pm
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Peanut - totally know what you mean. I was very much generalising there. Unfortunately the majority of great teaching graduates in Chch prefer the high deciles due to the (overall) better support provided by the community, parents and other staff. But like you said, I also know of schools where this is completely untrue and there are some wicked low decile schools. As for the resources, yep they get the extra funding but my god you see what some decile 10 schools can buy with fundraising money and it leaves the extra funding to shame! There'll always be that inequality there though unfortunately. The way the world works. (PS I actually love low decile schools just like I love high decile schools - but I detest a lot of mid-decile schools cos they get stuck in the void and slip through the cracks).
Anyway, as you were ladies! Oh, but one thing I will say re schools is all schools are required to have a School Charter available now too. Ask for one at the front desk. It outlines their goals for the short, medium and long term, what the community offers to the school and vice versa, and the main areas of development (both for teachers and students) in the next wee while, as well as all the usual stuff. Gives you a real feel of what they want to achieve with your kids and it will help you see if you think you will like the culture of the school. |
Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 17 April 2009 at 3:48pm
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Thanks so much Everyone!!
Definitely a great base to get started from! Jenna - I would love to come home to Wellington but Peter really doesn't want to go back. I miss it so much. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 17 April 2009 at 4:17pm
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We live in riccarton which is near to the uni - about 10/15min walk
and I have to say it is noisy! the uni students are always partying and always having bombfires or playing music till all hours or burning sofas in the streets we cant wait to move to be honest! |
Posted By: Aquarius
Date Posted: 17 April 2009 at 4:54pm
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wow this thread is still going...thanks for the support anna-bana, i have found people get offended very easy on this site...i now feel slightly apprehesive in writing what i'm thinking which is a shame as different opinions and views and experiences are what it should be all about....
none of us are out to offend anyone on here...and theres nothing like a great debate!!!
just a word on the decile rating, i am from auck and on arriving in chch enrolled my son in the closest primary school (walking distance) it was a decile one!!!!! but you know what it is a great little school, the teachers are fab and as it is a low decile the resourses are quite plentyful....yes there are parents that should be ashamed of themselves and kids i just wanna take home but i have found myself amongst the parents that care alot about what goes on. ------------- http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/">
mum to mr 16 & mr 10 |
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 19 April 2009 at 1:31am
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Hehe - just to stir things up - ditch Chch and come out to Southbridge lol ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: emachan
Date Posted: 19 April 2009 at 8:55pm
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good on all of you supporting lower decile schools!
I have been working (as a teacher) in lower decile schools and they are great - although some of the kids are a bit more of a handful than the higher decile schools, but I have found (working in both high and low deciles) that there are always going to be great students and bad students, nice parents and not-so-nice parents - whatever school/area you are in! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD#1 Sept 08 DD#2 Oct 09 |
Posted By: becky
Date Posted: 19 April 2009 at 9:15pm
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Hey I live in addington now we have just moved from St Albans it was due to getting a newer place for reasonable rent if we were to have this new place in st albans we would pay heaps believe me ive looked. Two things id like to add is St Albans is a posh place but has its dodgy areas and people we had people behind us that I had to call the police on due to domestics. Also I worked in a youth justice residence and the youth used to tell me they never S#@t in their own backyard, in other words those dodgy areas that people mentioned ie linwood are where alot of these youth reside however they go to the likes of merivale to do their crime.
My cousin lives out in Belfast and just had his place broken into and done over. I have also lived in Ilam and bishopdale and we got burgeled there too. I have to agree with Aquaries also a home is what you make it and you get your dodgy people everywhere. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 20 April 2009 at 7:54am
 ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 21 April 2009 at 10:22am
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I lived in Christchurch for 4 years while I was at Canterbury Uni and lived in Upper Riccarton, Riccarton and Sydenham (because I couldn't find somewhere closer on short notice). Living in Sydenham was a mission having no car, I had to get two buses each way! I found it much easier in Riccarton, I could bike to Uni in 5 mins or walk in 10-15mins. Mind you I was renting. Not much help but wanted to offer my 2cents ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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