You have chosen New Zealand to live and study in. Now, you already know that there is a lot to do. From choosing a course that appeals to you to gathering the necessary documentation to apply for your visa and, of course, to finding accommodation in New Zealand. That last step is important to make your adventure a success.
We do not recommend renting permanent accommodation from your country of origin. So, after arriving in New Zealand, you will find lodgings of different categories. Choosing one or another will depend on how much you are willing to spend. It will also depend on whether you prefer to live alone or get a roomie to share expenses.
To help you choose the ideal accommodation in New Zealand, we have prepared this guide! Here, we will tell you all about the types of accommodation available and their costs. We will give you some tips to make your search for a place to stay a success. Make yourself comfortable in your seat and scroll down.
*Disclaimer: the prices given in this article are for reference only and may vary over time.
New Zealand accommodation classification
The accommodation offered in the cities of New Zealand is divided into 4 types. There are hostels for temporary living, homestays, rooms in student residences, and apartments to settle down more permanently. We will explain the characteristics of each type of accommodation:
Hostels
- Average price per night: 13 to 60 NZD.
The first accommodation in New Zealand we want to tell you about is the hostel.
These temporary accommodations are very economical and have shared areas (bathroom, kitchen, laundry, living room…). Here you can share with travelers from all over the world who have come to the Kiwi country.
This accommodation in New Zealand usually has 2 types of rooms. There are the private ones, which have a single bed, closet, and private bathroom (sometimes). And the shared ones, with capacity for 4, 7 or up to 12 people; therefore, they are cheaper. If you don’t mind sacrificing some privacy, this is a good option!
Homestays
- Average weekly rate: 300 to 360 NZD.
A homestay is an ideal accommodation in New Zealand if you are interested in living with a Kiwi family.
This type of accommodation has several benefits. For example, you immerse yourself in the language and culture of the country, as you interact with natives almost 24/7. In addition, the people you live with can help you get to know the city.
Another advantage of this accommodation in New Zealand is that you can rent a 100% furnished room and, in some cases, a private bathroom. You are also entitled to 1 or 2 meals a day; this allows you to save some money per month and makes your life much easier since you don’t have to cook.
Student residences
- Average weekly rate: 100 to 700 NZD.
You have the option of looking for accommodation in New Zealand in a student residence. Some schools manage buildings on campus or nearby where you can rent private rooms or rooms to share with another student that have a bed, closet, and desk. This is a 100% university experience!
You should also know that you have to share the bathroom with other students, as well as the other common areas: kitchen, laundry, living room… That means that there is a lot of noise and not so much privacy, but it is not so difficult to adapt.
And if you would like to travel to New Zealand for studies, don’t miss these experiences that allow you to study and work in the Kiwi country!
Apartments
- Average price per week: 450 to 700 NZD.
The last accommodation option in New Zealand is an apartment, either for yourself or shared with a roommate. This type of accommodation is very attractive for obvious reasons, for example: you have more privacy and space, and you don’t have to follow as many rules as when you live in a homestay or a student residence.
Now, the disadvantage of this type of accommodation in New Zealand is that the rental price is quite high. If you are traveling on a tight budget, the best thing to do is flatting, that is, sharing the apartment with one or several people; that way, you pay less for rent and services.
6 Factors to consider when choosing a permanent accommodation in New Zealand
Choosing accommodation in New Zealand is not something you should take very lightly, since we are talking about the place where you will be living for quite a long time. These are the 6 aspects you have to take into account when you start your search for the best accommodation:
1. Budget
Before looking for accommodation in New Zealand, ask yourself how much you can and want to spend.
Keep in mind that, in addition to paying the rent, you must pay utilities, buy food, treat yourself…, so it is important to set a budget to pay the cost of living and find the right housing.
2. Location
When it comes to accommodation in New Zealand, location is crucial!
If you have the possibility, move very close to your school or university. This way, you can reach it by bike or on foot. In case you can’t, choose an area that is very well-connected by public transport.
Something else you can consider when choosing the best accommodation in New Zealand is the lifestyle and characteristics of the area. There are very active neighborhoods with bars, museums, parks, restaurants, and theaters…, while other suburbs are much more residential and less bustling.
In these articles you can find detailed info about the life in the main cities in New Zealand:
3. Amenities
If you want to get the best accommodation in New Zealand, we recommend you to prepare a wishlist, that is, a list of what the accommodation should have: private bathroom, swimming pool, furniture…
With this list, you can make a quick and conscious search, and discard the options that do not meet the requirements.
Be flexible when looking for accommodation in New Zealand.
4. Services
In most cases, utilities (water, electricity, internet…) are included in the accommodation contract in New Zealand; however, some landlords expect their tenants to be responsible for paying these bills. This is what is spent on average:
- Water: 20 to 40 NZD per month.
- Electricity: 100 to 400 NZD per month, although it depends on consumption.
- Gas: 200 NZD per month, although it depends on consumption.
- Internet: 80 to 100 NZD per month.
5. Bond
When you get your accommodation in New Zealand, it is more than likely that you will have to pay a bond. This is equivalent to 1 month’s rent (usually) that is requested by landlords to cover any damages or as payment of overdue rent.
Don’t worry, you can ask for the bond back after the end of the contract (if you deliver everything as you received it, of course).
6. Roomie
From experience, we know that sharing accommodation in New Zealand makes you feel less lonely.
It is a step towards making friends and helps you save money, so do not hesitate to look for a flatmate. Just make sure that your flatmate is compatible with you so that living together is full of peace and harmony.
There are several platforms to find a flatmate, keep scrolling down.
4 Tips for finding permanent accommodation in New Zealand
Surely, at this point, you are wondering how to find accommodation in New Zealand, aren’t you? To help you make the best decision, we prepared some tips that will help you find good, nice and, fingers crossed, cheap accommodation; take note:
1. Surf the Internet
One of the easiest ways to find accommodation in New Zealand is surfing the internet. All over the net, you can find websites specialized in accommodation with offers to rent a room or an apartment! There are even websites to contact New Zealand families:
2. Join Facebook groups
During your trip to the Kiwi country, you should use Facebook for 2 things: to post all the pictures you take (spam alert) and to find accommodation in New Zealand. There are hundreds of groups that post apartments and rooms for rent in different cities; here are some options:
3. Consult the classifieds
Newspapers, both print and online, contain valuable information about housing options in New Zealand. Many landlords and some students looking for roomies post ads in these media, so be sure to look carefully, you may come across some very attractive offers.
Also, take a look at all the boards in your school.
4. Ask your friends for help
Networking is very useful for finding jobs and accommodation in New Zealand! Be sure to tell any friends you make on your trip that you are looking for permanent housing; they may be looking for a roommate or about to move somewhere else.
Another tip? Travel with GrowPro, we advise you to get a house and a job!
Make your trip to New Zealand with GrowPro and study and work!
If you want to live an adventure in New Zealand, GrowPro is your ally!
Not only do we offer you study and work experiences, but we also take care of all your bureaucratic formalities: school registration, health insurance, and application for a student visa, so you don’t have to worry about anything!
Oh, and we are also by your side at your destination too! As soon as you land in New Zealand, our team will welcome you with a big hug and give you advice on how to find accommodation and employment.
With GrowPro, you will never be alone during your adventure.
Get more information about our experiences in New Zealand by clicking on the link or filling out the form below. Leave us your details and we will advise you for free.
We hope this guide will help you find accommodation in New Zealand for an experience that will change you forever. See you on this side of the world, future grower!
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