For attractive coastal living and a warmer climate, you might want to head to Porirua or further north to the Kapiti Coast.
Porirua
Porirua, also a harbour city, is celebrated for its multi-cultural community and easy access to the outdoors. Situated 20 minutes drive north of Wellington, it has a busy central business district and its malls make it an important shopping destination.
Some Porirua communities offer very affordable living. There are also several planned residential neighbourhoods, with large homes that offer million dollar views.
Kapiti Coast
The Kapiti Coast is a long, thin piece of coastline, about an hour's drive north of Wellington. It stretches from the small beach village of Paekakariki in the south to the beach and rural township of Otaki in the north, a distance of about 40km. It consists of rural lifestyle, urban and beach properties.
Older properties often owe something to the Kiwi beach bach/holiday home style - a unique New Zealand style of family holiday home. Nevertheless, the majority of housing in Kapiti is more recent as the coast is one of the fastest growing regions of New Zealand.
Several of the Kapiti communities have their own village shopping centres, and a growing range of cafés, art galleries, antiques shops, restaurants and bars. The coast's main shopping area, including a large mall, is in Paraparaumu, on State Highway 1.
The district provides a casual outdoor focus, ideal for those who want to relax away from the central area of Wellington city.
Both Porirua and Kapiti have bus and train services linking them to Wellington.
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