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Some days, living in the city can be a real chore. Dealing with traffic, noise and light pollution, throngs of people in the CBD, and busy, often unreliable modes of transport are enough to drive anyone to despair. It's times like these that our mind can wander, dreaming of a life in the beautiful and isolated countryside New Zealand is famous for.
When you're considering your next property purchase, whether for relocation yourself or as an investment, maybe fleeing to the countryside and the sanctuary of a lifestyle block is something you should consult your real estate agent about.
If you're willing and able to put the time in, New Zealand is a great country for increasing your self-sufficiency.
Business is booming
If you're entertaining the thought of escaping the city for an idyllic semi-rural life, you wouldn't be the first. Figures released in November by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) show sales of lifestyle blocks across the country in 2015 have reached record highs, totalling $5.726 billion for the year to October.
Speaking to Radio New Zealand, REINZ Rural Spokesman Brian Peacocke noted that the median price for lifestyle properties in New Zealand is showing continual growth, reaching $525,000 nationally. That's a $20,000 increase on the same time last year, although he pointed out that not all areas of the country are alike.
"As you get further south the numbers drop back and what we are seeing in the Canterbury region is the impact of the Christchurch rebuild is starting to wear off now," Peacocke said.
Why move out of the city?
In addition to the day-to-day frustrations above, there are plenty of compelling reasons to make the transition to a semi-rural lifestyle. For those who are able, working remotely from home is becoming more achievable all the time, as the government's ultra-fast broadband rollout continues.
While moving out to a lifestyle property is not usually a career move, there are some potential financial benefits. Having the space to grow your own food, anything from a beginner's vegetable garden up to a small-scale livestock operation, can be great for both your health and your wallet. If you're willing and able to put the time in, New Zealand is a great country for increasing your self-sufficiency, and the country's relatively small size means you're never too far from a city's amenities should you require them.
As metropolitan space becomes increasingly rare and the fabled quarter-acre dream becomes a part of New Zealand's history, looking at land for sale outside of the major cities can be an attractive option. It's a great time to speak to an expert about rural and semi-rural real estate options.
