With thousands of ski and snowboard bum hopefuls heading to New Zealand for a southern hemisphere winter, finding suitable accommodation in the resort towns of Queenstown or Wanaka may prove to be a challenge.
After numerous winter seasons of living on couches, in sheds, garages, combi vans, overcrowded apartments and overpriced and underheated houses, here are a few tips for the uninitiated.
Arrive early
Getting to town at least a month before the season starts can dramatically increase your chances of finding a nice winter pad at a reasonable price. Latecomers will usually be disappointed by fewer available properties, higher prices, poor quality houses and slum landlords looking to cash in on the winter demand.
This is often a double edged sword as the typical ski or snowboard bum is working the long hours back home for as long as possible before the start of the winter so as to finance their winter dream. Pre season and even early season in New Zealand is likely to be pretty slow on the work side of things so you will need to factor this into your ski or snowboard bum budget. As long as you don’t mind washing dishes, cleaning toilets or working on a construction site there may be opportunities for casual work with temp agencies before the season kicks off in June.
Come prepared
Rental agencies and landlords want to be reassured that the properties they lease won’t have a rock band playing in the lounge five nights a week, or your own version of the winter X games going on in the back yard every weekend. This might take a bit of convincing so leave your latest Kidrobot hoodie at home and dress conservatively when doing the rounds at the rental agencies and when meeting with landlords and agents.
Come prepared with copies of written references from your last landlord, employer, personal referee etc. Include contact details and information on your current or future employer if you have one.
A landlord or agency will usually require a bond of a month’s rent, at least two weeks rent in advance, and maybe a letting fee on top of that. All this considered, be prepared to lay down some serious cash to get yourself in the door.
Find some house mates
It’s likely that the more people you can share a property with the cheaper it will be. Larger houses are sometimes better furnished and provide better amenities. The downside is that they are usually located further away from the centre of town and may be difficult to get to if you are car free.
If you are on a solo mission it is likely you will meet similar minded people in one of the many hostels and backpackers you are likely to stay at when you first arrive. This is a good opportunity to get talking with people and see if you can put together a good group of housemates for the winter. The backpackerboard forum is another good place to start. Have a few backups as well in case people’s plans change or someone’s rent money fails to materialise on signing day.
A team of three or four people looking for a house rather than just yourself may greatly improve your chances of finding a cool winter pad.
Know where to look
A little bit of online research prior to your arrival will put you in the picture in regards to what is available, what you should expect to pay and what you will get for your money. Local newspapers and accommodation agencies are the first stop. Try www.scene.co.nz for newspaper listings in Queenstown. For rental agencies try Executive Accommodation (www.executiveaccommodation.co.nz) and Queenstown Accommodation Centre (www.qac.co.nz)
Once you arrive in New Zealand, a mobile phone with a local number is going to be essential when leaving details with agents and potential landlords. You can pick one up cheaply at the local New Zealand Telecom or Vodafone store and easily get connected on a pre pay plan.
You may even wish to try and organise your accommodation prior to your arrival in New Zealand, however most agencies prefer to deal with you face to face before handing over the keys.
It’s a Kiwi thing
Kiwis (New Zealanders) are a hardy breed, especially those from the South Island. They are willing to endure cold wet conditions more so than the northern hemisphere folk. It may not be surprising then that insulation and double glazing are relatively unfamiliar concepts to Kiwi architecture.
It is therefore likely that your typical Kiwi “batch” will resemble the inside of a refrigerator more than the inside of a cosy Swiss chalet during the winter months. Be prepared for astronomical utility bills and only three channels on the TV. Luckily the pubs are numerous and well patronised with warm friendly bodies and a seemingly endless supply of excellent cold beer and Jägermeister, - every night of the week.
Enjoy the experience
Don’t worry too much if your house mate comes home at two in the morning and eats your last packet of two minute noodles. Or that your bedroom is so cold that you go to bed wearing your socks and beanie, that no one has done the dishes in three days, and you spent the money for the electricity bill at the pub. The important thing is that there is plenty of fresh snow and that you are having fun. In a few years time you will remember the good times and the bad, but mostly the good, I have.
