It is important that you have a clean, warm and secure place in which to live while you are studying here. You may make your own choice of the type of accommodation you want or we can offer you assistance in finding a suitable place in which to live.

Making your own choice

Many of our students live in rental accommodation that they have found themselves. This we call "flatting". You can live alone or share your accommodation with someone else. Sharing rental accommodation with other students is often the cheapest way to live.

There are many flats, apartments, and even houses available for rent in Christchurch. Some are especially designed for students with common areas for cooking and socializing. Most flats are unfurnished. All have an oven. Some may have a refrigerator and a washing machine. Furnished flats are available but rental costs per week are higher.

Prices vary depending on the number of people sharing a room or whether you have a room of your own. You can expect to pay $85 - $150 per week for a room in a flat.

Remember that you will have to pay your share of the food, power, telephone and any Internet connection in addition to the rent. This could add a further $50 per week or more depending on your personal diet.

Pages of places to rent appear in the local paper, The Press, every Wednesday and Saturday.

The city has a good public transport system. All suburbs are within easy reach of the College which is near the central city bus exchange.

Useful websites are www.flathunt.co.nz, www.webrent.co.nz, www.trademe.co.nz, and the websites of the many real estate firms in the city that offer rental service.

The student notice board at the College regularly lists requests for flatmates while word of mouth is another useful source of information once you are here.

You may of course decide to stay with relatives or family.

On your arrival, you may need to seek temporary accommodation with friends, or in a motel (about $100 a night) or in a backpackers hostel (around $20 a night).

Asking the College for assistance

We have access to the following types of accommodation: fully furnished houses and apartments with both single and shared rooms.

The cost for these includes the cost of power, phone, Internet and TV; food is extra.

The cost for this accommodation ranges from $85 per week per person for a shared room. It costs more for a room of your own.

Accommodation suggested by the College is regularly inspected by the Pastoral Care Officer and is used only with her approval of the standard of accommodation being offered.

Enquiries

Any enquiries about accommodation or applications for assistance should be made to Rhonda whose email address is Rhonda@canterburylink.com

The College needs to know where you are living and the type of accommodation you are in at all times. Please let us know if you change your place of residence.

A guide to living costs in Christchurch

These prices, in New Zealand dollars, are given as a guide; they may vary from place to place.

Bus fare is $2.80 a single trip; bus cards are available at discount rates. Taxi fares vary depending on distance traveled or shared cap from $5 - $30 in city limits.

Rice is 42 per kilo; milk is $2.40 for 2 liters. Cigarettes cost around $12 for a packet of 20. Beer is $5 a glass or $12 - $20 a dozen, wine ranges from $5 a glass to bottles costing from any price above $8.

DVD's can be hired for as little as $2, movies cost about $10 - $15 to see.

A Big Mac costs $4.80, a combo costs $8 and coffee is $3.50 a cup.

How to pay for goods and services

Payment by credit card or Eftpos is very common in New Zealand.

Most popular cards are Visa, and Mastercard.

There is a Goods and Service tax of 12.5% included in the price you pay for all gods and services. If the tax is not included in the price and is extra, the firm must tell you this.