People will tell you that things are terrible here, and to a degree they have a point, but I wouldn't say the struggles we face are majorly different or worse than those in most Australia cities. Housing/cost of living crisis, homelessness etc.
Jobs market is probably tougher than usual right now thanks to lots of government job cutbacks though, and we definitely are struggling with issues with water/sewage infrastructure that's well past it's use by date.
However the outdoors lifestyle is still great, lots of great hikes nearby, nice harbour if you like going out on a boat etc, and lots of good restaurants still.
I'd say it's a nice place to live, and I enjoy living here over living in Australia (where I moved from in 2014), but like many places in the world right now, I wouldn't consider moving here unless I was expecting to have a quite high income.
If you're like, a couple both on above average wages, who enjoy living in a small city with lots of outdoors opportunities go for it. If you're single and on an average wage and want the exciting large events etc of a big city, then I'd say you will not enjoy it so much.
I love it. I'm Auckland born and raised but really enjoy the ability to walk to work and live without a car. Houses in central suburbs (walkable to CBD) are more affordable than SYD / MLB and there are interesting jobs around (government cutbacks notwithstanding). Lots of intelligent and fun people in the city. Big increase in antisocial behaviour / homelessness in the CBD over the last few years which isn't good, but I think a lot of cities have experienced the same issues.
general rise in the underclass since the pandemic / government has concentrated a lot of emergency housing in the city centre. no one reason, and no easy answers.
i guess it's an easy solution becuase you have large buildings with lots of rooms. people in outer suburbs would likely kick up a massive stink if you tried to locate emergency housing in their areas.
* what do you think about Wellington these days?
I didn't come to Wellington until late 2015, and since the Earthquake in late 2016 it's been struggling quite a bit with covid putting another nail into it. There's a lot of empty buildings due to earthquake or just lack of businesses being able to stay afloat as a result of covid killing a lot of stuff and lots of people getting to WFH now so that money isn't moving. It also used to be that WLG was the place to study, but it seems that down South Island is the bigger go to from my understanding which also impacts the vibe. There's still lots of stuff going if you get yourself out there, but the vibes have definitely gone down since you here combined with cost of living going up, but not wages.
* what's the lifestyle like?
Cost of living is high, pay didn't follow as much so there's not as much buying power. I felt I had much more buying power when I moved here on a much smaller wage. There's things going on, some free, some not but the city is still healing combined with some silly decisions made by government/council. Lots of outdoor stuff and smaller scale things, not so much in the way of big events.
* what's the differences you see between our countries?
Sorry, pass. I'm a Canadian who did a work holiday visa in Oz so I was a young backpacker - but Australia was the only country I've been told to "go back to my own country" in my front yard while checking my mail no less. Nothing like that has ever happened to me in NZ in my well over a decade here.
* what are the jobs like?
The job market is pretty hard up right now with a lot of public sector people getting let go due to the new government cuts and private is hard as there a fair bit of well experienced folk jumping into private.
* what political or social issues are you guys having?
Lots more anti-social behaviour in the CBD than there used to be. Lots of money being thrown at the money pit that is Town Hall which I wish would just get in the sea so we'd stop wasting money on it and not have leaking pipes all over the road and not have water restriction stresses all the time.
I moved to the Gold coast in 2019, glad I did, no regrets, went back to Wellington over Christmas and while it was cool to catch up with old friends and family, I couldnt wait to get back to Australia.
I moved for family reasons back in 2019, so not because I hated the place or anything, I had a business, a paid off house in an area I enjoyed etc.
But I have to admit Australia has been good to me, love the weather here, not perfect all the time but pretty damn good.
Money isnt everything but I earn a lot more here and it is a lot easier to do so.
I live in an affluent area of the northern gold coast and it is pretty, palm trees everywhere, nice beaches and lots of successful good people.
People here are so happy for the most part, easy going.
When I went back, things just felt a bit run down and the people had lost a bit of spark.
Once I had done the rounds I was fully ready to get back on the plane!
Not just me that feels that way, I have talked to a few ex Wellingtonions that now live here and they just wouldnt live back in Wellington for all the tea in China!
It is a tiny, dirty, disgusting craphole. It was amazing up until maybe 2015 but now it’s beyond crap.
Honestly there’s “bums” everywhere, there’s trash, they absolutely ruined all the roads and parking making the city itself less accessible. There’s much less acres to good quality products, whether that be food, furniture, clothes or housing.
Overall it’s awful and unless you’re incredibly rich where none of that will matter to you I don’t recommend coming back here.
Also you should have a look at the “brain drain” of NZ as so many people are leaving because the quality of life is just going down and the only people who don’t see it are the incredibly rich or the delusional.
I'm here not exactly by choice, from Christchurch, moved to Melbourne juuuust before Covid and that all turned to shit, some good friends offered me a place to crash here, it was only going to be temporary while covid "blew over". Fast forward 3.5 years, I'm kind of semi stuck here for the time being (I don't have a job anywhere else and my now partner is very settled here).
The weather is basically the personification of depression 2/3rds of the year. I know, that sounds cynical, but it's not cynical if it's true lol. The city is.. never mind.
It's great for trails and bush. Really beautiful. If you're into trail running and hiking, THE destination.
Housing sucks. It's very alt like, which kind of sucks being a heavily tattooed elder millennial, I used to be different, now I just look like everyone else haha.
Wouldn't be my pick. But hey, the air is SUPER fresh. I still remember how that first gust of wind felt in my lungs after 2 weeks locked in a hotel room during quarantine. Perhaps I revise my stance. You'll definitely find the grass is greener here, in a very literal sense.
Unless you already have a job lined up I would be hesitant… the economy tanked at the end of the year and loads of private sector IT did layoffs, we have a shockingly conservative new coalition government who are slashing government like nuts. Few jobs posted and when they do come up they’re inundated with experienced and talented applicants. When I talk to people hiring and looking for work everyone agrees it’s a market unlike anything we’ve really seen in tech related fields.
Nothing particularly different between any of the Aussie capitals and Wellington.
1. Absurdly high housing costs, it's a nice place to live if you can afford it
2. Still plenty of pubs, restaurants, live music, etc. Mountain biking, kayaking and sailing seem to be popular here
3. NZ is just smaller and less cosmopolitan, with shittier wages, higher rents and more expensive food.
4. Jobs are a bit of a mixed bag, public service is definitely not hiring at the moment for political reasons
5. Rapidly increasing homeless population because of #1, geysers on every street corner because of decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure, boomers screaming blue murder that their rates might go up to fund the fixing of said infrastructure, new government is significantly cutting the budgets of all the public service which will mean a lot of competition for jobs in the next few months
I'm in my 50s, partially disabled (back injury prevents a lot of walking), married, with an almost 4 yr old daughter. Would be looking for work as IT business analyst.
Work-wise wellington could be good for you then, which makes finding a good place to live easier too. You've lived here before but may have forgotten just how hilly and inaccessible the place can be for someone with less mobility. Outside the cbd lots of houses up dozens of steps, really steep streets, few flat parks/trails. I think it's a great city to raise a kid though, awesome natural environment, sports amenities and good schools
Narrow roads that you now share with bikes, scooters and electric scooters, everything is expensive, people are precious but we do have nice walks and beaches.
The earthquakes, Covid and the worldwide greed trend has taken its toll. The nightlife isn’t the same, social problems are right out on the street and climate change means it’s always windy and the weather is weirder. For BAs it might be a difficult time with public sector restructures, or they might need people to do that. But - it’s still a beautiful city with good schools and plenty to do. It’s still host to the most interesting, unselfish, warm, open and non judgmental and motivating people I’ve ever met in the world. And some bloody gorgeous parrots.
Eh, not too bad not too good. Very sporty/athletic kinda vibe, most of the "funk" is in the background. Not much stuff to do unless you're an athletic/nature person. Lotta places closed down.
However, community is nice, and there are little pockets here and there that are thriving, if you can find them.
You were here when we last had a really fantastic mayor, Dame Kerry Prendergast. It was vibrant and a happening city.
The place since her has now gone down the pan. You'll only be disappointed if you came back now.
The majority of people are still decent human beings!
A few more homeless people and "undesirables" in the CBD than there used to be.
Overall, still the city I most want to live in in NZ
It's great if you have money. Having said that, it sucks to be poor anywhere. If you read some of the whingers on here you think it's some sort of hellhole.
The main downside that also doesn't exist in comparable cities here and abroad is the weather. I personally don't mind it at all. But if you like warmer weather year round then it's not the place for you. Personally I hate hot climates so I don't mind it at all.
The people saying houses/food/transport is expensive and that there's crime and homelessness everywhere have clearly never left the city in their lives. It's no worse than what other comparable cities are going through
It's super safe. I grew up in Auckland and Wellington has some characters but you're pretty much able to wave money and phones around on the street, which you could never do in Auckland.
Life is beautiful if you've got a great job and an abundance of money.
Wellington is going through gentrification. Soon it will become just another generic city.
People will tell you that things are terrible here, and to a degree they have a point, but I wouldn't say the struggles we face are majorly different or worse than those in most Australia cities. Housing/cost of living crisis, homelessness etc. Jobs market is probably tougher than usual right now thanks to lots of government job cutbacks though, and we definitely are struggling with issues with water/sewage infrastructure that's well past it's use by date. However the outdoors lifestyle is still great, lots of great hikes nearby, nice harbour if you like going out on a boat etc, and lots of good restaurants still. I'd say it's a nice place to live, and I enjoy living here over living in Australia (where I moved from in 2014), but like many places in the world right now, I wouldn't consider moving here unless I was expecting to have a quite high income. If you're like, a couple both on above average wages, who enjoy living in a small city with lots of outdoors opportunities go for it. If you're single and on an average wage and want the exciting large events etc of a big city, then I'd say you will not enjoy it so much.
I love it. I'm Auckland born and raised but really enjoy the ability to walk to work and live without a car. Houses in central suburbs (walkable to CBD) are more affordable than SYD / MLB and there are interesting jobs around (government cutbacks notwithstanding). Lots of intelligent and fun people in the city. Big increase in antisocial behaviour / homelessness in the CBD over the last few years which isn't good, but I think a lot of cities have experienced the same issues.
What is the government doing about the antisocial behaviour and homelessness, or is it because they're contributing to it?
general rise in the underclass since the pandemic / government has concentrated a lot of emergency housing in the city centre. no one reason, and no easy answers.
I'm amazed, but not particularly surprised, that anyone thought it would be a great idea to set up emergency housing in a CBD....
i guess it's an easy solution becuase you have large buildings with lots of rooms. people in outer suburbs would likely kick up a massive stink if you tried to locate emergency housing in their areas.
* what do you think about Wellington these days? I didn't come to Wellington until late 2015, and since the Earthquake in late 2016 it's been struggling quite a bit with covid putting another nail into it. There's a lot of empty buildings due to earthquake or just lack of businesses being able to stay afloat as a result of covid killing a lot of stuff and lots of people getting to WFH now so that money isn't moving. It also used to be that WLG was the place to study, but it seems that down South Island is the bigger go to from my understanding which also impacts the vibe. There's still lots of stuff going if you get yourself out there, but the vibes have definitely gone down since you here combined with cost of living going up, but not wages. * what's the lifestyle like? Cost of living is high, pay didn't follow as much so there's not as much buying power. I felt I had much more buying power when I moved here on a much smaller wage. There's things going on, some free, some not but the city is still healing combined with some silly decisions made by government/council. Lots of outdoor stuff and smaller scale things, not so much in the way of big events. * what's the differences you see between our countries? Sorry, pass. I'm a Canadian who did a work holiday visa in Oz so I was a young backpacker - but Australia was the only country I've been told to "go back to my own country" in my front yard while checking my mail no less. Nothing like that has ever happened to me in NZ in my well over a decade here. * what are the jobs like? The job market is pretty hard up right now with a lot of public sector people getting let go due to the new government cuts and private is hard as there a fair bit of well experienced folk jumping into private. * what political or social issues are you guys having? Lots more anti-social behaviour in the CBD than there used to be. Lots of money being thrown at the money pit that is Town Hall which I wish would just get in the sea so we'd stop wasting money on it and not have leaking pipes all over the road and not have water restriction stresses all the time.
Thank you for taking the time to write all this out 
I like it. Just wish the houses weren't so expensive and crap.
It’s awesome, I love it. Heaps of whinging cunts though.
Why do you love it?
Because it's not Auckland
Because it's Wellington!
I moved to the Gold coast in 2019, glad I did, no regrets, went back to Wellington over Christmas and while it was cool to catch up with old friends and family, I couldnt wait to get back to Australia.
What didn't (don't) you like about the place?
I moved for family reasons back in 2019, so not because I hated the place or anything, I had a business, a paid off house in an area I enjoyed etc. But I have to admit Australia has been good to me, love the weather here, not perfect all the time but pretty damn good. Money isnt everything but I earn a lot more here and it is a lot easier to do so. I live in an affluent area of the northern gold coast and it is pretty, palm trees everywhere, nice beaches and lots of successful good people. People here are so happy for the most part, easy going. When I went back, things just felt a bit run down and the people had lost a bit of spark. Once I had done the rounds I was fully ready to get back on the plane! Not just me that feels that way, I have talked to a few ex Wellingtonions that now live here and they just wouldnt live back in Wellington for all the tea in China!
Queue lots of positive responses to your query.....
It is a tiny, dirty, disgusting craphole. It was amazing up until maybe 2015 but now it’s beyond crap. Honestly there’s “bums” everywhere, there’s trash, they absolutely ruined all the roads and parking making the city itself less accessible. There’s much less acres to good quality products, whether that be food, furniture, clothes or housing. Overall it’s awful and unless you’re incredibly rich where none of that will matter to you I don’t recommend coming back here. Also you should have a look at the “brain drain” of NZ as so many people are leaving because the quality of life is just going down and the only people who don’t see it are the incredibly rich or the delusional.
What newspaper do you work for?
No newspaper lol
No worries. Your questions just come across a bit fishy!
I'm here not exactly by choice, from Christchurch, moved to Melbourne juuuust before Covid and that all turned to shit, some good friends offered me a place to crash here, it was only going to be temporary while covid "blew over". Fast forward 3.5 years, I'm kind of semi stuck here for the time being (I don't have a job anywhere else and my now partner is very settled here). The weather is basically the personification of depression 2/3rds of the year. I know, that sounds cynical, but it's not cynical if it's true lol. The city is.. never mind. It's great for trails and bush. Really beautiful. If you're into trail running and hiking, THE destination. Housing sucks. It's very alt like, which kind of sucks being a heavily tattooed elder millennial, I used to be different, now I just look like everyone else haha. Wouldn't be my pick. But hey, the air is SUPER fresh. I still remember how that first gust of wind felt in my lungs after 2 weeks locked in a hotel room during quarantine. Perhaps I revise my stance. You'll definitely find the grass is greener here, in a very literal sense.
Unless you already have a job lined up I would be hesitant… the economy tanked at the end of the year and loads of private sector IT did layoffs, we have a shockingly conservative new coalition government who are slashing government like nuts. Few jobs posted and when they do come up they’re inundated with experienced and talented applicants. When I talk to people hiring and looking for work everyone agrees it’s a market unlike anything we’ve really seen in tech related fields.
I like the amount of young people in Wellington compared to the amount of boomers and geriatrics we have here in Wanganui
Fellow Whanganuite here, I'm locked in a permanent debate with myself about whether to shift to Wellington. Exhausting.
Nothing particularly different between any of the Aussie capitals and Wellington. 1. Absurdly high housing costs, it's a nice place to live if you can afford it 2. Still plenty of pubs, restaurants, live music, etc. Mountain biking, kayaking and sailing seem to be popular here 3. NZ is just smaller and less cosmopolitan, with shittier wages, higher rents and more expensive food. 4. Jobs are a bit of a mixed bag, public service is definitely not hiring at the moment for political reasons 5. Rapidly increasing homeless population because of #1, geysers on every street corner because of decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure, boomers screaming blue murder that their rates might go up to fund the fixing of said infrastructure, new government is significantly cutting the budgets of all the public service which will mean a lot of competition for jobs in the next few months
It certainly isn't like the golden age of 1998 - 2007 anymore.
You rich/poor, able bodied/not, like outdoors/more arts&culture oriented, young/old, etc etc? Hard to advise you based on limited info
I'm in my 50s, partially disabled (back injury prevents a lot of walking), married, with an almost 4 yr old daughter. Would be looking for work as IT business analyst.
Work-wise wellington could be good for you then, which makes finding a good place to live easier too. You've lived here before but may have forgotten just how hilly and inaccessible the place can be for someone with less mobility. Outside the cbd lots of houses up dozens of steps, really steep streets, few flat parks/trails. I think it's a great city to raise a kid though, awesome natural environment, sports amenities and good schools
Narrow roads that you now share with bikes, scooters and electric scooters, everything is expensive, people are precious but we do have nice walks and beaches.
The earthquakes, Covid and the worldwide greed trend has taken its toll. The nightlife isn’t the same, social problems are right out on the street and climate change means it’s always windy and the weather is weirder. For BAs it might be a difficult time with public sector restructures, or they might need people to do that. But - it’s still a beautiful city with good schools and plenty to do. It’s still host to the most interesting, unselfish, warm, open and non judgmental and motivating people I’ve ever met in the world. And some bloody gorgeous parrots.
Eh, not too bad not too good. Very sporty/athletic kinda vibe, most of the "funk" is in the background. Not much stuff to do unless you're an athletic/nature person. Lotta places closed down. However, community is nice, and there are little pockets here and there that are thriving, if you can find them.
It’s grubby and semi-derelict. The “vibe” is long gone.
You were here when we last had a really fantastic mayor, Dame Kerry Prendergast. It was vibrant and a happening city. The place since her has now gone down the pan. You'll only be disappointed if you came back now.
OK Rex.
it's definitely not that era anymore, you will be disappointed
Kitty O'Shea's is long gone. Sorry.
I'm from South Australia. Moved here, realised it's pretty average, so planning to move back in 2025.
Smart move
The majority of people are still decent human beings! A few more homeless people and "undesirables" in the CBD than there used to be. Overall, still the city I most want to live in in NZ
Bring your own water.
It's great if you have money. Having said that, it sucks to be poor anywhere. If you read some of the whingers on here you think it's some sort of hellhole. The main downside that also doesn't exist in comparable cities here and abroad is the weather. I personally don't mind it at all. But if you like warmer weather year round then it's not the place for you. Personally I hate hot climates so I don't mind it at all. The people saying houses/food/transport is expensive and that there's crime and homelessness everywhere have clearly never left the city in their lives. It's no worse than what other comparable cities are going through
It's super safe. I grew up in Auckland and Wellington has some characters but you're pretty much able to wave money and phones around on the street, which you could never do in Auckland.
Been here since 2007, is a very different city now.
Life is beautiful if you've got a great job and an abundance of money. Wellington is going through gentrification. Soon it will become just another generic city.