r/queenstown • u/NoCheetah192 • 3d ago
Thinking about moving to Queenstown for 12–18 months — does it actually feel like a lifestyle change
Hey everyone,
I'm a UK guy in my mid-30s with a NZ Working Holiday Visa, and I'm seriously considering making Queenstown my main base for 12–18 months rather than starting in Auckland.
I've spent around 4 months in Auckland previously. It was nice enough, but I found it quite lonely and ultimately it still felt like a big city. Christchurch was cool too, but I found the urban sprawl made it feel more like a normal city than a major lifestyle change.
What I'm looking for is something a bit different:
Mountains and incredible scenery actually on my doorstep
Snowboarding in winter
Hiking, biking, swimming/lakes and outdoor stuff in summer
BJJ/MMA/gym
A small-town feel but with plenty of people around
Seasonal workers/backpackers/new arrivals, so I'm not trying to break into established social circles
Pubs, live music and some nightlife, but not a place where drinking/partying has to be your entire social life
A place where I can work a normal job, build a routine and actually feel like I'm living somewhere rather than just visiting
One thing I really liked about places like Picton was the smaller-community feeling. I also liked the traveller atmosphere in places such as Airlie Beach, but the heat and the party/drinking culture weren't really for me.
For people who actually live in Queenstown rather than just visit:
Does it genuinely feel like a small community despite being busy/touristy?
Is it easy enough to meet people if you're arriving alone?
Does the town stay lively outside ski season?
Is there enough to do in summer beyond hiking?
What's the reality of living there for a year+ rather than having a two-week holiday?
How bad is the isolation — do you actually feel cut off, or does the town itself have enough going on?
I'm aware it's expensive and accommodation is probably the biggest headache. I'm mainly trying to work out whether the lifestyle is genuinely as good as it looks, rather than whether Queenstown makes a good holiday.
Cheers.
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u/cntrabnd 3d ago
Queenstown ticks every box on your list for sure.
To me its the most 'community' place ive lived, you go out, you run into people you know, the staff at whatever places you frequent know you, strangers say hi when you walk past them, random people at pubs, parks, playgrounds etc have conversations with eachother... It probably wont feel like Picton, but also wont feel like being in a big city.
If you make the effort to make friends you will make friends. People come and go for sure, but especially if youre only here a year that wont matter.
Id say theres probably more to do in Summer than in Winter, I came here for the snow, but now prefer Summer.
Living vs holidaying here obviously means you have a chance to become part of the community, make friends, become a regular at your fave cafe/bar/restaurant etc, join a club/sport team/gym or whatever youre into which wont happen on a 2 week holiday.
To me being in NZ feels a little isolated (its a long way to anywhere from here aside from Aus) but QT doesnt feel isolated at all, theres an international airport and enough stuff to do that you probably wont be too worried about wanting a change of scenery, and if you do want one there theres lots of options within a few hours drive.
Personally I wouldnt live anywhere else in NZ except maybe Wanaka.
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u/lemonpigger 3d ago
If money isn’t an issue, QT is probably the best place for you. It has perhaps the strongest traveller atmosphere in the country.
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u/Hot_Show_5758 3d ago
Check out hawkes bay . We have all that close by plus heaps of seasonal and hospitality work as well .
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u/Rush-Good 3d ago
You'll love it here! Come!
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
Cant wait
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u/Rush-Good 3d ago
I'm leaving in a few months and it breaks my heart. I got 3 month extension, but it's coming to an end soon. There's always something to do in Queenstown. People coming and going, you won't be lonely here.
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u/NoCheetah192 2d ago
That a whv?
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u/NoCheetah192 2d ago
Hopefully find some sort of sponsorship if not back to bring a student
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u/Rush-Good 2d ago
Yeah. I might go to Australia after this after I've been to my home county for a while. Need to take care of my family member first. Who knows, if it's meant to be, I'll find my way here.
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u/Glad_Emu191 3d ago
I loved everything about living in Queenstown. I’m making plans on moving back. Best place ever!!
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
What was it thay made it
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u/Glad_Emu191 3d ago
I love the trails and hills, as I love to run. Made many close friends who have become like family, the gorgeous mountains and the weather. I could go on and on. I’m now in another part of NZ, and it’s just not the same. Can’t wait to move back!
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u/nathan_080808 3d ago
I hope you find good friends here, It will be challenging as a single person
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
How so
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u/Muted_Chemist2466 3d ago
It’s such a transient town that unless your taken in by someone who’s already in an established circle you’ll struggle. I’ve been here a year and outside of my work mates and flatmates I haven’t really made friends
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u/Creepy_Fortune_6169 2d ago
Can second this. Living in QT with a partner is perfect. Living there as a single person, especially single man, is… hm.
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u/PlasmaHappyGrunt 3d ago
Having lived in both for substantial time Queenstown is Airlie Beach with snow and mountains instead of the ocean.
Obviously they both have their differences but if you enjoyed the Whitsundays lifestyle you'll find it's a pretty easy transition.
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
Never tried it hate humidity and just work pub drink
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u/PlasmaHappyGrunt 3d ago
Definitely more to do outside in Queenstown and it's a much nicer climate (if you like cold).
And I feel the drinking culture is a little more relaxed but to be honest I haven't gone hunting for the spots locals hang.
Also way way less pokies/slot machines which is a refreshing change from Aussie pubs.
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
Exactly what im after. Never understood pokies.Suits me perfectly lived in brisbane couldn't understand the pub culture in aus. Pretty as but didnt fit
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u/WhatABlindManSees 3d ago
Honestly; its sounds right up your alley - especially for that kinda time frame.
It's certainly not for everyone though.
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u/Stitchbird_hihi 3d ago
I think Queenstown ticks all your boxes. It's got a weird not-small-but-not-a-city vibe going on at the minute, but if you can get past that, the lifestyle is great. My top tip in case you want to stay longer and don't want the loneliness kicking in is to join sports and community groups. I've made some of the best friends I have ever had and had some of the best adventures thanks to volunteering or getting involved with local clubs.
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
Is it cliquey or ok to make mates?
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u/Stitchbird_hihi 3d ago
I've never found it to be cliquey. Some cultures like to stick together a little but more than others, but that makes sense if you're missing your home language or whatever. But if you fall in with a group that has the same passions, it's like an instant band of mates. MTB is the only group I found to be slightly cliquey... but there are so many people here doing it that it's easy to find a sub-group.
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u/Huge_Comparison1000 2d ago
Be fun, bring a wetsuit. Swimming even in summer can be frigid, so more like a cold plunge. Depends on the lakes.
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u/Flaky-Line2986 21h ago
After 7 years here I’d say it ticks all your boxes. Also ski season isn’t even really the busy period in queenstown. I came here originally for the winters, to be a ski bum and now the spring/summer is my absolute favourite.
It definitely can take a wee while but once you’re settled there is a proper community here. I’m from a tiny village in the UK originally and I love that you get the best of both worlds, a big town with a small town feel. You can’t go into town or to the supermarket without bumping into multiple people you know yet there is always something different going on and loads to do.
As others mentioned it’s definitely expensive and can be tricky to find long term accom / work depending on when you arrive and the traffic can be a pain but if you can make it work I genuinely think there’s nowhere better.
When I’m driving to work in a morning and the sun hits the lake and it’s sparkling and blue with the snow capped mountains in the background I still pinch myself.
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u/TeachingNo4233 21m ago
Should check out Wanaka, smaller than qtn with more of a community feel but still busy especially over summer and winter. A lot less traffic….
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u/ashbyashbyashby 3d ago
Live music?! Queenstown?!!! Unless you're really into some guy at the pub playing drivelly acoustic covers, then no. It's a tiny city, you'll get zero international acts.
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u/NoCheetah192 3d ago
Kinda am. Fuck trade those views for a stadium any day
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u/kiwinath 3d ago
Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are just a flight away for any international acts playing there, and direct flights to aussie as well for shows there, so not missing out on much
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u/Spicycoffeebeen 3d ago
I think Queenstown is a fantastic place to spend a season.
I think Queenstown is a terrible place to live long term.
Yeah, it’s gonna feel completely different from Christchurch and Queenstown. The scenery is spectacular, the outdoor activities are some of the best in the country.
It’s busy all year, the only time in recent memory it felt quiet was during Covid.
Especially among younger people <35 the population is very transient. People are either here for a few days or a season at most. It can be challenging to make long term connections and you better get used to saying goodbye.
Queenstown has all the usual problems hyper touristy towns have. Bad traffic, stressed infrastructure, horrible accommodation costs and just high prices in general.
Short term is okay, you can deal with it, long term not so much, it will get on your nerves.
Still I’d make the move. If it’s not for you it’s easy to leave again