What is the Southland region like?

Question

I know it is impossible for me to understand without having visited it myself, but I am probably moving to New Zealand next year and was wondering what the region of Southland is like. I am interested in living in a rural location and I love very cold rainy climates. Would one find that in Southland, or are there other areas in New Zealand that better fit that description? Any help would be most appreciated!

Answer 1

I agree with Picola.  I've lived in Western Southland since 1982 and I like it.  Some of the local people are as thick as pigshit because of all the inbreeding, but otherwise it's a nice clean, green, inexpensive, peaceful place to live.

Answer 2

I think the Southland region, or perhaps further north on the west coast of the south island would suit your wants perfectly!

The southland region is actually Beautiful and is in the vicinity of Fiorland national park where you will find some of the best walking tracks and scenery in New Zealand, notably the world famous Milford sound.

The largest Urban centre of Southland is Invercargill with a population of approximately 50,000

see:

http://www.invercargill.org.nz/About-Inv...

for a bit of info on the climate that Invercargill experiences

Invercargill gets a bit of a bad wrap amongst us kiwis, mainly because of our perception of its dismal climate but its actually a pretty cool city. Has all modern conveniences and some nice restaurants and you could easily live rurally down there but within a closeish proximity to the city

http://www.tourism.org.nz/regions/southl...

this link will give you a bit of idea about the region aswell

this is also another good site to check out regarding living in Southland http://www.southlandnz.com/LiveinSouthla...

Good luck with your move :-)

Answer 3

southland is not always the coldest you may want south canterbury like Farlie it is cold im not sure about rain but it snows alot so does Twizel or if you want otage theres alexandra cold snowy but it summer it gets warm but if you like rain the west coast is the best place to live i've previously lived in greymouth and it rained alot and quite hard but doesnt get cold unless you go futher south like Fox glazier cold rainy no place better for what you describe