What is christchurch in new zealand like eg climate schools shopping?

Question

What is christchurch in new zealand like eg climate schools shopping?

Answer 1

It can get pretty hot in the summer in Christchurch, and it's more of a dry heat as opposed to Auckland for instance, where it's quite humid. However, the winters are very cold - I don't quite agree with the first answerer's impression that it is 'snowy' - it does snow typically a few times every winter but hardly ever settles, but don't get me wrong, it's cold, and there are lots of frosts.

Schools are pretty good, depends on the area though. Certain areas are very sought after for parents of high school aged children as the public high schools are 'zoned' - ie children living in the direct area get preference on the roll - and there have been some issues in the past with people trying all sorts of things just so their address is in the zone for the right schools.

Shopping's decent, not as good as Auckland but the malls are great, most of them are big and newish but they do tend to all have the same stores.

If you've got any more specific questions I can definitely try to help you out - I have been living in Auckland now for three years but spent my teenage years in Christchurch and still visit very regularly as my family are there - I've been to Christchurch three times in the last three months.

Answer 2

Everywhere in NZ is like the UK 15 to 20 years ago.  Backward, intolerant and generally not a very nice place to be.

Answer 3

Sadly I agree with the person above. If you are of an ethnic race (i.e not white) - it may pay to look outside Christchurch.

CHCH is adapting to the rest of the world. In some ways NZ is very backward. Queenstown would be more of an ideal situation as it has a melting pot of races due to the influx of foreigners (tourism and immigration).

There are only a small number of National Front present however they give CHCH a very bad name. The further South you go - the worse it gets. Queenstown is the exception.

Answer 4

climate is strange one day in summer it can be 34 degrees celcius and next 18 degrees it has sudden drop winter isnt to cold better than dunedin

schools are good some of the best in the country

shopping is pretty good

Answer 5

Nothing much going on down here but warning: it can be freezingly cold in winter and the weather is unpredictable most of the time. Plenty of schools available and shopping is not a prob. Lifestyle is more laidback than the North Island  which although has a warmer clime but is comparatively more expensive .

Answer 6

It's like England... warm and wet in the summer, cold and snowy in the winter. Be prepared though, New Zealand is expensive!