Every New Zealand town has its cliche. Christchurch's is that where where you went to school matters - both public and private.
So it’s no surprise that house prices in zone for Christchurch Boys’ or Girls’ high schools for can easily go for over $2 million in the city, Merivale or Fendalton and surrounds.
Or you could dig around for some family-suitable homes of three bedrooms in zone for under $600,000. While they’re not huge spreads, they have enough of a yard to seperate grown ups from teens, easy proximity to public transport to town or other places. Here is our selection:
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Springfield Cottage is 80 square metres of Victorian cuteness, well sited on 473 square metre section. The 1870s cottage has been modernised with vintage-look kitchen and bathroom, polished timber floors, heat pump and gas fire. The classic garden of clipped box hedges around a paved terrace is enough for charming outdoor living, and it’s in easy walk to Abberley Park and Edgware village.
Price by negotiation. Marketed by Sara Ashcroft, Bayleys.
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A 2001 plaster and tile roofed property with a refreshed roomy kitchen and bathroom, new carpet and paint, double garage and off-street parking on a private 453 square metre section. It’s sunny and open plan, there’s room for outdoor living and scope to add value with landscaping, within easy cooee of Riccarton Mall and the University.
Asking $455,000. Marketed by Matthew Heazlewood, Bayleys
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Asking only $479,000 this brick townhouse has also had a good facelift, with great open plan kitchen and north-facing open plan living. The house is on the rear half of a 672 square metre section, Edgeware village is just around the corner. The house has already had one price reduction, so is a good buy for entry into the zone.
Asking $479,000. Marketed by Kate Lamont, Ray White
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For city-edge living it’s hard to beat this apartment in a block of townhouses right across the road from Hagley Park - who needs lawns when the city provides the best lawns ever though there is a courtyard for the required indoor-outdoor flow. There’s a smart kitchen and open plan living downstairs, three bedrooms upstairs, two bathrooms and an internal garage, all in the right zone for schooling.
Asking $520,000. Marketed by Amanda Blair, Ray White.
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Another super modern townhouse, this one on Broadbent Street, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and garaging spread over 138 square metres. The courtyard garden is a blank slate as the owner lives out of town, so a chance to add value and enjoy the indoor-outdoor thing.
Asking $590,000. Marketed by Marie Crampton, Harcourts.
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Another townhouse, this one in St Albans, has super stylish cedar and plaster with a striking stacked stone chimney breast, very modern kitchen and two bathrooms. It has been running as an AirBnB in the heart of town. Asking offers of over $599,000 (well below its $680,000 cv) this is worth a closer look.
Marketed by Lance Farrant, Bayleys.
