Are you chasing a career? Wanting a more affordable lifestyle? Maybe you have new family members you’re wanting to move closer to. Whatever the reason, moving to Southland is a decision that doesn’t come with regrets. Not only is it cheaper living, the region is known for its prime location and being just a stone’s throw away from incredible scenic destinations, it’s community-feel and growing infrastructure.

Two-odd Hours In Each Direction

If it’s a tramping weekend away you’re craving, Milford Sound doesn’t fall short on tracks and camping spots for the outdoor enthusiast. How about the picturesque Te Anau for packrafting or a wine tour? Maybe you fancy a trip to Queenstown for a night of fine-dining and days full of adventure-junky activities. If any of these experiences sound like a bit of you, you’re in luck. It only takes about two-three hours to get to any of these places from Invercargill. But if you’re wanting to stay close to the city, there’s also no shortage of things to do in your free time, especially if you're a petrol enthusiast. Visit the home of the Burt Munro Challenge, or head to Motorcycle Mecca to take a tour of the museum. Love classic cars? Try a day at Bill Richardson Transport World on for size before exploring highly-acclaimed cafes run on local produce to wind down.

Tight-Knit

Walk into one of Invercargill’s food and drink establishments on your own and you’ll walk out having gained relationships. Because it only has a population of about 57,000, pretty much everyone knows of everyone somehow. It means you’ll always feel a part of something and won’t feel isolated when you’re making the move from another city or country. Community groups and social opportunities are in abundance and there’s an activity to join for every personality type. Surrounding Southland towns are very much the same in that sense - it’s a community-feel that’s tricky to find anywhere else. Whether you’re a farmer, business person or just want to live in a place that’s welcoming as a whole, it won’t be hard to get settled in and feel at home.

Family Focused

When you’re at a point where your priority becomes raising a family, considering where you’ll do that is an important decision to make. Despite the fact the housing market is constantly evolving, Invercargill’s housing prices are a lot more affordable than some parts of the country where the average house price is sitting around the $1 million mark. Wider Southland is very similar and provides a great opportunity for young families in particular. There’s also has a huge range of high-quality education available for children, not to mention the Southern Institute of Technology, which provides zero fees study across a myriad of learning fields. The closeness of the community is also a big draw card for those looking to settle.

Re-building

Watch this space - While Southlanders are full of ideas for growing their districts, Invercargill in particular is right in the middle of a huge revamp with several major infrastructure projects underway. The City Block Redevelopment includes a revitalisation of the city centre with a list of food and dining establishments, as well as retail outlets, boutique shops, a multi-level car park, medical centre and more. Construction is set to be finished by the end of 2022, while The Langlands Hotel project, due sometime in 2021, plans to boost the economy and bring more work to the region. With plenty going on, Invercargill is about to be put on the map as a hotspot for families, young people and businesses alike to call home.

Explore Southland and discover why it is an amazing place to live, work and play by visiting My Southland Story