Moving to Blenheim, NZ – the Ultimate Guide

Anybody who has a soft spot for New Zealand wine will know the district of Marlborough, home of many of New Zealand’s best tipples.

The busiest and most populous town in that area is Blenheim, just a few kilometres from Cloudy Bay and blessed with one of New Zealand’s sunniest climates. Locals enjoy around 2,400 hours of sunshine every year.

With around 30,000 residents, Blenheim is a pleasingly compact town with a friendly atmosphere and strong community connections. It also has a big emphasis on enjoying the great outdoors.

If this is appealing to you, you want a relatively slow pace of life, and you have experience in the wine sector, Blenheim is a great place to move to.

And if you just want to retire here and enjoy a glass or two of the local Sauvignon Blanc on the porch, that’s a very appealing option too.

This guide covers all bases and has useful information for everyone from families and retirees to those seeking employment.

Cost of living in Blenheim

Your money goes a little further than you might expect in Blenheim. Recent reports say that living costs are slightly lower than the national average.

Your budgeting requirements very much depend on your family situation and your expectations, of course, but a reasonable sum for a single person to live on is around $2,800 per month, including rent.

Here are some typical living costs for a single person:

Rent: $1,500/month

Groceries: $500/month

Transport: $75/month

For a family of four, these increase as follows:

Rent: $2,500/month

Groceries: $1,400/month

Transport: $200/month

Total living costs should work out at least 20% lower than living in Auckland.

Housing and property market

Compared to New Zealand’s biggest cities, your pot of gold goes significantly further in Blenheim. The average house value is around $600,000, and these prices have been reasonably steady for a year or two.

Median rent is around $550 per week. If you’re investing in property, expect a rental yield of around 5%.

The predominant housing style in Blenheim is single-storey homes, often bungalows from the 1950s. Take a virtual stroll on Google Street View and you’ll see few buildings higher than three or four metres.

There are also modern subdivisions in areas such as Omaka Landing.

If you are renting in Blenheim, average monthly prices are as follows:

One-bedroom apartments: $1,400+ per month (though there are few of these available)

Three-bedroom homes: $2,200+ per month

Roughly a third of Blenheim residents rent their homes, and the most popular property type is a three-bedroom house. Rental properties are much thinner on the ground than those that are for sale.

Best neighbourhoods to live in

As Blenheim is only a few kilometres from side to side, most neighbourhoods are pretty similar. Some popular areas include:

Springlands: close to local schools, and the setting for some of Blenheim’s loveliest homes

Witherlea: family-friendly with good access to local parks and nature

Renwick: close to the vineyards and a good location for anyone working in that sector

Grovetown: a peaceful spot on the edge of Blenheim

Central Blenheim: popular with those looking for a more upbeat pace of life

The best way to get a feel for which side of Blenheim you’d most like to settle in is to spend a few days there. The town is awash with small hotels and inns, many of which are available from as little as $100 per night.

The upmarket Hotel d’Urville gets good reviews on Google, as does the ultra-modern 14th Lane Urban Hotel.

Employment and local economy

One thing that is readily evident if you start touring the local area is that this is very much wine country. If you have credentials in viticulture, finding work shouldn’t be too difficult.

The rural and coastal economies prevail, meaning there’s potential work in agriculture, mussel farming, salt, olive growing and food processing.

There are tourism jobs too, and as with all towns, there are often opportunities in local government and healthcare.

If you’re able to work from home, setting up shop in Blenheim may be very appealing as it has an attractive year-round climate and an emphasis on enjoying the outdoors.

However, as with Bordeaux in France and Piedmont in Italy, everything comes back to wine in many cases. There are more than 150 wineries in the region, producing 75% of New Zealand’s wine.

Schools and education options

With around a dozen schools to choose from, newcomers with families arriving in Blenheim are well looked after. Primary schools include Springlands School, which is highly rated, Whitney Street School and Redwoodtown School.

Secondary schools include the two local boys and girls colleges, as well as Richmond View School.

Further education is available at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), which has four campuses, one of which is in Blenheim. It caters to local and international students and has study options ranging from viticulture to aviation.

Healthcare and essential services

Blenheim residents are well looked after, with a range of GP practices, including Wairau Community Clinic and Civic Family Healthcare.

Wairau Hospital is where you are likely to be treated if you need surgery, and it also has a 24-hour emergency department. The hospital offers maternity services, too.

Expats may be surprised that you have to pay for a GP consultation in New Zealand – it costs around $30-$60 for adults. It is, however, free for under-14s.

To enrol with a GP, contact one directly. It is worth investigating the Community Services Card scheme if you are on a low income, as it can reduce healthcare costs significantly.

 

Transport and getting around

Around half of all Blenheim residents are employed full-time. While some make use of the town’s public transport system, car ownership is high.

Blenheim’s three bus routes serve much of the town, though they are relatively infrequent. Single bus tickets cost $2.40 for adults. Given the compact nature of the town, many people choose to walk instead.

The town is also served by a regional InterCity bus service, which runs twice daily buses to Christchurch. It takes around five hours and costs from $50. It is much quicker to fly to Christchurch from the local airport, 7km away.

Like cycling? Good news: the town is easy to get around by bike.

Lifestyle, culture, and community

Take a visit to Blenheim and you will be instantly struck by how open the surrounding countryside is. There are cycle paths and hiking tracks at every turn, and a great place to start is at Wither Hills Farm Park.

Another good place to take your bike or rucksack is along the Taylor River Trail. Also well worth exploring is the Whale Trail, a walking/cycling track along the coast between Picton and Kaikōura.

The Marlborough District has a strong gastronomic culture and hosts an annual wine and food festival in February that attracts thousands. Wine tastings are available at many of the 150 wineries in the region, while in town, there is a farmers’ market every Sunday morning at the local showgrounds.

Cultural attractions include the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre for vintage aircraft displays (and an annual airshow), and the Blenheim Riverside Railway. Here, you can take a short trip next to the Taylor River in a miniature train.

Other local activities/clubs on your doorstep include fishing, wild swimming, basketball, squash, golf and water polo.

Is Blenheim a good place to live? Many of the people posting on the r/Blenheim subreddit certainly seem to think so!

Moving logistics and services

Several local companies cater to those moving to Blenheim, including the Marlborough Moving and Storage Company, located in Park Terrace.

Prices can vary dramatically from one removal company to the next, so it always makes sense to get quotes from two or three before committing.

If the property you are moving into needs refurbishment or is smaller than your old address, consider self storage in Blenheim as a stopgap solution while you work out what to do with all your goods.

Blenheim storage units are a safe and affordable solution, and come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.

Choose a provider with a good reputation and high-quality security so you know your goods in storage are well looked after.

To ensure your move into Blenheim goes smoothly, speak to your real estate agent about setting up electricity and gas before your arrival, and start shopping around for Internet suppliers. Expect to pay around $50 a month for coverage.

If you want to work in Blenheim, you need to have an IRD (tax) number and a bank account. Several well-known High Street banks have a branch in town.

If you are moving to Blenheim from overseas, the Marlborough Multicultural Centre in Henry Street offers advice to newcomers. Email them at info@mmc.nz

Pros and cons of living in Blenheim

Let’s take a look at the key factors that might influence your decision:

Pros

• Relatively affordable housing and living costs

• Excellent dry climate and access to the great outdoors

• Family-friendly and community-oriented town

• Potential for lots of working opportunities in the wine trade

Cons

• Relatively remote compared to some other towns

• Not all industries are covered, which may make job-seeking problematic

• Fewer transport options than in major cities

Who is Blenheim ideal for?

Blenheim ticks all the boxes if you have a valuable skill in the winegrowing industry and are looking for a new start. If you have a family in tow, even better, as this is a relaxed, safe part of New Zealand that benefits from an excellent climate and a breezy outdoor lifestyle.

It is also popular with retirees who come for access to the coast, golf, find wine and the good life.

The town attracts fewer young single professionals moving from cities, as it offers comparatively fewer rewards than the likes of Wellington or Auckland.

However, everyone is different – and no matter what your age or background, Blenheim could be for you.

Conclusion

Nestled at the top of the South Island and three hours away from Wellington by what has been described as the most scenic ferry route in the world, Blenheim is awash with charm. It has lots going for it.

Before relocating to Blenheim, it obviously makes sense to be fully aware of the lifestyle that awaits you. It is always a smart move to connect with Facebook groups well in advance – and ideally pay one or more visits to the town to ensure it meets your expectations.

If you plan on using a removal service and or self storage centre, it’s always a good idea to start your enquiries early so you’re not disappointed when the time to relocate draws near.

Thinking about moving to Blenheim, NZ? Get the facts on housing, jobs, lifestyle, and start planning your relocation with confidence.