Canterbury
The Canterbury region is said to have it all: the vertiginous
mountains down which to throw oneself on skis, the unending
Canterbury Plains, the soothing Pacific Ocean, and of course, the
city of Christchurch. Described as the most English city outside
the UK, the cultural city boasts a multitude of parks and
tree-lined avenues, havens of green in the bustling and vibrant
atmosphere. This lively city offers all one might expect from a
cosmopolitan area, including huge architectural variety. The range
of property on offer reflects all elements of taste, but of
particular interest may be the luxury apartment developments that
are springing up across the city, with the overseas investor in
mind. Many come with rental guarantees, and with no capital gains
tax or stamp duty, investment here is attractive. As the tourist
influx to New Zealand looks set to rise for the
foreseeable future, it can be safely assumed that demand for
tourist accommodation can be relied upon.
Auckland
The northern part of the North Island has been partly fragmented
into new islands as the ocean gradually reclaims the land that
emerged from it so long ago. The Auckland region includes an array
of enchanting sub-tropical islands, many that are used solely for
holiday retreats. Auckland City itself sprawls across two harbours,
spreading out over the two land masses both sides and guarded all
around by luscious rainforests. The Polynesian and Maori heritage
pervades all aspects of this city, creating a multicultural
atmosphere with unique experiences for both the tourist and the
resident.
Housing in Auckland tends to be more expensive than the national
average, reflecting the desirable qualities of the location which
are also reiterated through the consistently high rankings of the
city in international lifestyle surveys. The forecasting of the
city's population to double by 2050 confirms the future need for
accommodation, and should guarantee the fluidity of the market in
years to come. In investment terms this translates to one of New
Zealand's most promising opportunities for growth.
Central Otago
The soaring mountain peaks and the deep, cavernous gorges of the
Otago region, forever immortalised in the visually indulgent
Lord of the Rings trilogy, constitute the backdrop
for another of the country's fastest growing regions. Once the
scene of a mighty gold rush, the valleys of the region are now
covered with Pinot Noir vines as the New Zealand 'wine rush' takes
root, with visitors coming from all over the world to visit the
wineries. Queenstown is heralded as the adventure capital of New
Zealand, with everything from snowmobiling, to luge-riding, to
off-roading. The region's strong economic base, due to a year round
industry, fuels consistent demand for accommodation and creates a
lucrative real estate market equating to reasonable investment
potential.
New Zealand's oldest city, Dunedin, meanwhile is competitively
priced, reflecting the quality of housing available. The
architecture, culture and history of the city, with its proximity
to the powerful landscapes nearby, make Dunedin a highly desirable
second home location.
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