Finding a Home

The Wellington region offers a variety of housing options including family homes, apartments and 'lifestyle' blocks - homes with more land in semi-rural areas. Many people choose to rent a house first and buy later. This gives you a chance to become familiar with the city's layout and amenities before you buy.

Housing Styles

• City apartment
  There are many apartment buildings in central Wellington, close to the central business district (CBD). Many are new, and have high quality fixtures as well as good security. They tend to be the residence of choice for a lot of professional people who want to be close to work and the city's cultural life without any parking or transport hassles.

• Inner city home
  There is a ring of inner city suburbs with an abundance of charming one- and two-storey colonial villas, bungalows and cottages which are slowly being renovated back to their former glory.
• Townhouse with a view
  Everyone loves a sea view, and as a city built on the coast it would be fair to say we have a few.
• Suburban household haven
  Featuring anywhere between 3 and 5 bedrooms, these large family homes built on reasonably sized, established sections make up a significant proportion of Wellington housing.
• Lifestyle block
  Small farms of up to two acres have become extremely popular for Kiwis wanting to keep the city (and their neighbours) at arm's length but close enough to enjoy the benefits the city offers.

Special Considerations

Wellington's climate and topography mean a few special things must be taken into account when you are looking to rent or buy a home. They include:

• Sun
  Sun is a critical factor in Wellington where hills may block the sun, particularly in winter. North-facing is best. East and west-facing properties also usually get either the morning or afternoon sun. Lack of adequate sun can cause problems like mildew or damp.
• Access to services
  It is always worthwhile to check the property's proximity to services such as schools, bus and train routes, shops, and other amenities.
• Furnished/unfurnished
  Most Wellington properties for sale or for rent don't come with furnishings except carpets, blinds and curtains, oven and possibly a refrigerator.
• Outdoor space
  Many houses in Wellington are built in close proximity, leaving minimal space for outdoor living. When a property does have features such as a deck/patio, garden or back lawn, this will be reflected in its value.
• Heating
  Most houses in Wellington (and throughout New Zealand) do not have central heating. Properties without central heating are usually heated with gas or electric heaters - fixed or portable. All newly built houses in New Zealand are required to have thermal insulation, but in older buildings insulation is not a standard feature. Retro-fitting insulation is encouraged.
• View
  Many Wellington houses have spectacular views of the ocean, hills or the city. The value of property, regardless of its type, will usually reflect the level of panoramic views it offers.
• Parking
  Not all properties come with garages or off-street parking. If they do, it will be mentioned in the advertisement. Newer properties may have an internal-access garage, which provides a passage from the garage to the house without having to go outside.
• Access
  Part of Wellington's natural beauty is its hills and inclines. These characteristics mean that some houses have awkward access routes such as multiple steps, steep paths and sometimes individual cable cars.
• Proximity to city
  Generally (but not always) the closer a property is to central Wellington the higher its value. It is worthwhile being familiar with the relative distance of different suburbs from Wellington.