ABOUT
Alison is an events assistant from the UK, and speaks English and some German.
Why did you move to Wellington?
New Zealand had always appealed to me as a place to live because of the amazing nature. I am not a big city person but still like to have something going on around me. Although Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, it is very small (only 200,000 population) so it’s a good balance for me.
Moving to Wellington
How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)
I set up my phone plan by just walking into a phone provider shop in town (I chose One NZ). Bank account was a bit more difficult for me to set up as when I first moved I did not have a permanent address and they couldn’t accept letters from temporary accommodation. I found a way around this issue by first applying for my IRD tax number and from there I got a letter which was accepted as proof for the bank.
What did you bring with you?
I bought the bare minimum as I figured I’d be able to get anything I didn’t have when I was there and I was right. The Warehouse and Kmart are great for buying most things you need, and they’re affordable too.
How did you find an apartment?
I used Facebook groups to find a house. I didn’t have much luck on rental websites but Facebook groups were the most responsive. You have to be quick and flexible though, there was lots of competition.
What surprised you about life there?
Everyone is quite relaxed and I get the feeling that most people there don’t revolve their lives around work. It is a nice environment to live in for this reason.
Living in Wellington
What should people consider before deciding to move to Wellington?
It is definitely pricey, New Zealand in general is very expensive so be financially prepared!
What specifically is Wellington famous for?
Wellington is vibrant, open, accepting and there’s so much art and music. It is a great place especially for young people to live. You have the city, the beach and the mountains all within walking distance. The best of all 3 worlds combined!
What are your favorite places in Wellington?
My favourite place to walk and chill out on my day off is at Red Rocks. There are beautiful views of the South Island and you can always spot seals sunbathing on the rocks. It is really beautiful.
Do you feel safe as a woman living in Wellington?
Yes I feel very safe as a woman here in Wellington.
Final Thoughts
What's on your list of favorite restaurants and cafés in Wellington?
I love Nolita! It’s a vegan restaurant on Cuba Street, everything is DELICIOUS. They do great cocktails too.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
I found making friends through my job was the easiest way to socialise at first. My job is a mixture of locals and expats so it’s a nice mix. But I also made friends with housemates!
What are some disadvantages to living in Wellington?
The weather. It is windy and cold, but as the saying goes here, nothing beats Welly on a good day!
What are your plans for the future?
I am focusing on building my Instagram account at the moment, connecting with other expats and people who love to travel!
Thank you Alison for sharing your insights into living in Wellington and enjoying your time there! It definitely looks like a special place. Her IG: Here!
