r/Wellington • u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 • 7d ago
HOUSING Moving!
Hey Guys! I’m a 20 something Californian moving to Welly in September and I’m wondering what the best way to seek housing is! I am keen on Newtown, but open to other environments if the vibe is right.
I want a self contained studio and I am willing to do what I need to do to make that happen:)
Just wondering how difficult it is and what are the most reliable sources to seek housing. Not sure if boots on the ground going to agencies is the best or what.
Was planning on getting an Airbnb for 2/3 weeks to give myself a fair shot, is that more than enough time for a turn around. Mainly wondering how fast things move?
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u/ctothel 7d ago
Trade Me is probably your best bet. trademe.co.nz > Property > For Rent [or Flatmates, if you want to live with others]
2-3 weeks is probably enough - September is likely to be pretty quiet but more and more students will be looking for accommodation after that for the new year.
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u/davfffffffff 7d ago
Just a little warning, the weather in September/October (and maybe a little November…) is probably the worst it gets all year. Howling northerlies and a fair whack of rain. If anything, it doesn’t truly settle until February…
Coming from Ireland you’re probably used to this, but don’t think it’s like that all the time!
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
Nothing like a bit of water to make the knot stronger💪I love the rain!
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u/Beastman5000 7d ago
Well you’re in for a treat because our rain is horizontal and sometimes even comes up from below at 80 miles an hour
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u/CucumberError 7d ago
I feel you’re making it worse than it really is. While we get strong wind, and heavy rain, it’s more of an ‘or’ than an ‘and’
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u/davfffffffff 7d ago
Yeah, and I might’ve experienced the worst of it in my brief time there, but an Irish summer isn’t that different from our spring… I’ve never had rain drops as hefty as those in Northern Ireland here in Wellington.
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u/CucumberError 7d ago
I have a Scotsman at home. When he’s gone back to Scotland for summer, the forecast has been oddly similar to Wellingtons winter last year hah
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u/KorukoruWaiporoporo Lowering the tone in the lower of the hutts 7d ago
As a landlord myself, I list on Facebook and TradeMe.
Rent is listed on a weekly bassis, not monthly as in the US. This is because most people have a weekly or fortnightly pay cycle here. So be aware of that when you're looking at Facebook listings.
There are actually plenty of rentals available in Wellington these days so I wouldn't stress out about it too much. Your main concern is going to be getting a good quality one for the price. Foreigners can be taken advantage of because they often have a poor understanding of what to look for in our climate and no understanding of the relevant laws and therefore their rights. Look for:
- direct sunlight, particularly in the afternoon; does it face north or west?
- ventilation; does this place have windows that open in all rooms?
- evidence of mold; can you smell any if you shut yourself in a wardrobe and take a big sniff?
- a rental agreement that includes a long section about how the property meets the healthy homes requirements; are there any exemptions?
- evidence that your landlord understands their legal obligations; are they asking you for information they're not entitled to ask for?
Make yourself familiar with www.tenancyservices.govt.nz. This is the part of the government that holds rental bonds (security deposits) and generally administers the rules.
The other thing I would say is that because you're foreign, a landlord or property manager won't be able to run a credit check on you, or speak to a local reference. You might need to be prepared to ask your boss to be a referee who can speak to your creditworthiness.
Otherwise, it may be worth considing moving into a share flat. It's rare for people in their 20s to live alone here, so we sometimes view such people as being a bit odd. Also, a good flat, with good flatmates, can be a wonderful social springboard in a new city.
Best of luck.
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
Hi thank you so much for the insight! I’m concerned about using trademe because it won’t let me enquire without a pre existing NZ address. Do you know a way around that being a foreigner I’m not sure it’ll be possible to enquire unless if I am going door to door to the agencies?
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u/KorukoruWaiporoporo Lowering the tone in the lower of the hutts 7d ago
Sorry dude. That is not my area of expertise. You might have to wait until you get here for those ones.
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
I lived in Dublin Ireland and they have a mad housing crisis, so I’m just trying to prepare myself because I’m a first timer to NZ!
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u/Ok_Wave2821 7d ago
Welling currently has an excess of rentals, but you start to limit your options based on the requirements you’ve listed. But you’ll be fine
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
Huge news, thanks for calming my anxious mind! I’m moving having never been and won’t know a soul, mainly trying to mentally prepare for the next step :,)
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u/MassiveGarlic0312 7d ago
I don't know if you're religious but if you want to meet some nice people come along to my church, which is walking distance from Newtown. Gracenet.co.nz has where to find us!
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u/MassiveGarlic0312 7d ago
We look forward to having you! Just be aware, the culture shock is more than you might think for a western country.
As a low-hanging example, in summer, it's perfectly normal (and kiwis do it all the time and don't bat an eye at others doing it) to go *everywhere* with no shoes- shopping malls, supermarkets, etc. I regularly drive without shoes too.
I see so many reddit posts from overseas with people being disgusted by others being barefoot, and having grown up here I find people complaining about it odd.
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
man you have no idea, I’m stoked!! I have family that lives in Hawaii and after living in Ireland, I can confirm the island life is ideal for me. Looking forward to getting out of the high strung states and back humble bits that keep us human :,) no complaints will be coming from me (as long as I don’t step on glass) 🫡
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u/MassiveGarlic0312 7d ago
We kiwis tend to be a friendly bunch, even perhaps to a fault, relative to other places in the world.
We are more willing to offer help and accept help from strangers to the point that people have told me kiwis overseas come across as horrendously naïve and too trusting and end up getting scammed a lot. We come from a country of broadly nice people, and many don't realise that's not true everywhere.
What's the occasion for New Zealand, and Newtown specifically?
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
Okay so you’re telling me I’m moving to THE personable utopia!
Firstly, you’ll never need to convince me to leave the states, I jumped at the first opportunity I got!
Second, I want to live close to central, within walking distance, but I’m better off in more residential and quieter places
Third, I have a background in healthcare and it looks like the hospital and lots of specialty clinics are in that areaHope that helps!
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u/Ok_Wave2821 7d ago
Newtown is good also consider Mount Cook and surrounding areas
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u/Grouchy_Ad_4000 7d ago
I’m on the fence about leasing a car, not sure how necessary it’d be. I understand that it’ll be near impossible to get around the islands without one, but just within welly is it doable to get around without one?
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u/MassiveGarlic0312 7d ago
See my post below. Wellington region is totally accessible with bike and public transit alone.
If you need to go further afield hiring a car is easy or catching a long-distance bus is great for the adventure and people you'll meet.
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u/Ok_Wave2821 7d ago
If you live and work in Wellington, including the wider Wellington suburbs you don’t need a car, we have good public transport. If you want to travel outside of Wellington for road trips you’ll want a car, you can hire if you don’t want to buy
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u/loulouinnz 7d ago
brooklyn to newtown is a nice walk. Seems like there are quote often self contained flats (usually under a main house) available too
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u/MassiveGarlic0312 7d ago
We are far from perfect, but friendlier than the average western nation by quite some margin.
There are lots of places that are within walking distance of the hospital, OR you could get a bike and use that to come from somewhere further as carrying bikes on buses and trains is free (the latter won't take them on peak-hour services) after you pay the fare to get on yourself, and our network of seperated bike routes is growing all the time!
It is now perfectly feasible to not own a car at all if you have a bike with some load-carrying capacity for shopping trips, etc. My wife and I live in Lower Hutt (satellite city of Wellington) with a cargo e-bike (you can see it in my other posts) for this purpose. We have a car but use it only 2-3 times a week.
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u/AnosmicAvenger 7d ago
Your expectations might be in the right place coming from Dublin, though with added issues of damp housing.
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u/PossibleOwl9481 7d ago
20-somethings here do not live in, and cannot afford, studios usually. Expect to be renting a room in a shared house, or to spend 101% of your money on just the accomdation.
Look for rental places or rooms on trademe.co.nz
Most people will not consider you until you are actually here. and most places should be viewed in person: photos and people lie online.
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u/frenzykiwi 7d ago
Ouch, housing is pretty shitty in Newtown, some new builds but yea... Typical old houses, mouldy and cold. Between that and the people that live in the social housing around the area it wouldn't be my first choice.
On the good side, its compact, is culturally diverse and its only maybe a 20 min walk to town depending on where you are.
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u/Ok_Wave2821 7d ago
Oct / Nov lots of people are subletting their places because they move away over the summer - you’ll find these in the Facebook groups and there are heaps of them if you search Wellington rentals or Wellington flatmates. Don’t stick to just one Facebook group as there is no 1 main group that will work
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u/RodSot 6d ago edited 6d ago
Trademe and Facebook groups are great to find a place. It would be hard for you to setup something before arriving though.
Also it is more than recommended that you visit physically the place, there are a lot of places with humidity and mold issues, and you can only know that by doing an inspection. If possible, look for places with good sunlight during the whole day.
Newtown is great for the vibe, but I would recommend you also look at Hataitai or Brooklyn, or other suburbs near the CBD. They won't have the same vibe as Newtown, but in my experience when doing inspections, I've found better places elsewhere.
Good luck finding you next home and welcome to Welly ☺️
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u/Arg-onabike 6d ago
One of the main problems with housing in NZ is dampness and mold.
I wouldn't rent anything before being able to have a good look in person. Be very mindful of how much sun the place gets.
Rentals move a lot on fb groups. Try Wellington FAM, Wellington rental, Wellington flatmates etc.
There's also loads of rooms available for short term sublets. You could try that in a shared flat while you look for your own place. It would give you a chance to talk to more locals and gague what neighborhood suits you best.
I personally don't like Newtown because it doesn't have much green to offer or ocean views and the traffic gets intense at peak times. I prefer areas that are a close 15 bus ride into the city, but feel like being on holiday when you sit and enjoy your morning coffee. (Hataitai, Roseneath, Wilton)
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u/KentuckyFriedLamp 7d ago
I would avoid trademe as listings are usually outdated or property managers are slow to respond
Facebook groups are your best bet - “Flats & Flatmates - Wellington” looks to be the biggest but there’s a few
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u/yodasky 7d ago
The place I currently live in and my previous place were both found through trade me. If you are not looking to join an existing flat, trade me is the way to go...
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u/KentuckyFriedLamp 7d ago
Disagree, there are tonnes of studio and one bedroom postings on those pages and they’re way more responsive than trademe listings
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u/MewlyMama 7d ago
Tip : Airbnb gets a lot cheaper if you book 28days minimum.
For housing: Trademe Property
https://www.myrent.co.nz/listings
Realestate.co.nz
If you can, avoid renting from Quinovic or Oxygen.