Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is a city right in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. Famed for its Maori culture, tourist attractions, and hospitality, Rotorua is a place anyone would want to call home. But how expensive or cheap is it living there? To best understand the economics of living in this beautiful city, we should perhaps look at essential aspects of life, such as housing and transportation.
Housing
There is a decent range of housing in Rotorua, including lakeside properties, rural lifestyle blocks, suburban homes, and city apartments. In fact, very few areas in New Zealand can be mentioned in the same vein as Rotorua when it comes to affordable housing. But should you rent, buy, or build your own house? Which option is the best? Well, it all depends. For instance, it would be irrational to build your own home unless you want to live in Rotorua long-term. You may also want to look at your budget and determine what you can afford.
Buying: Thanks to its cheaper properties, Rotorua is regarded as an excellent market for home buyers. Like most provincial areas, the demand for rental property is high here, which means that smart property investors have a great opportunity to succeed in Rotorua.
Building: Want to have your own dream home? With land prices in Rotorua being as affordable as ever, building your own home could be the best decision as far as housing is concerned. The good news is that there are loans and mortgages, which you can obtain to purchase properties.
Rent: Renting costs in Rotorua vary with property location, as well as factors such as the size and amenities of the property. Depending on your budget and needs, you can rent a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-bedroom houses.
Getting Here and About
In Rotorua, you could easily catch a taxi, bus, bike, or just walk to wherever you want to go. You will not have to rely on your car for transportation, and this saves you a lot of money. However, there are those who use cars, and they are still comfortable.
Travel by car: You will find metered car parking throughout the city. Also available are numerous free all-day parking spaces for the infirm, disabled, and the elderly. There is also a public multi-storied car parking establishment run by the city council of Rotorua. Find this public parking at 1222 Pukuatua Street. With lots of free parking spaces around, you will be able to save lots of money which you can use on something else.
Travel by bike: The crux of the matter is that Rotorua is a great international destination for mountain biking, and it is the No.1 biking destination in New Zealand. Whether you want to cycle around the city or in the surrounding suburbs, the landscape is all friendly. Most of the roads leading into the CBD are designed with “Share with Care” facilities or cycle lanes, just to accommodate those travelling by bicycle. So why not try cycling to your workplace? One or two days of cycling a week could just be enough to keep your environment, pocket, and fitness.
Travel by bus: The so-called Reesby Buses runs bus services in Rotorua. The buses operate on 11 routes, running from the central Arawa Street. Also, run by Reesby Buses are services from the city to Tauranga and Murupara and back. So you won’t need a chopper to travel between Rotorua and these places. A plus is that the fare is as fair as it sounds.
Travel on foot: With lots of attractions and facilities, such as the Energy Events Centre, the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, Aquatic Centre, libraries, and museums, located in the city, you may not need a bike, a car, or a bus to explore Rotorua. There are plenty of footpaths on the local roads for pedestrians. And walking is not just a way of saving money; it is also an exercise in itself. Keeping fit keeps lots of things at bay, including medical conditions. So you may not have to spend a buck treating exercise-related conditions such as obesity.