When I stepped off the plane in Queenstown in December 2019, I had a strange mix of excitement and nerves. It was my second time in New Zealand, but this time was different. I wasn’t here for a year-long working holiday. I was here to stay.
Queenstown had captured my heart years earlier with its rugged mountains, turquoise lakes, and the kind of natural beauty that feels almost unreal. It’s one of those places that seems to pull you in—and it pulled me in hard. So when I decided to move back to New Zealand, it only made sense to return to the place that made the biggest impression on me. This town not only has a remarkable nature to offer, but it’s also it’s people that make this place special. I think it is the most multi-cultural town I have ever lived in. Everyone is very open and the sense of community is very strong.
What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to find a place to live.
Landing just a month before COVID changed the world, I quickly discovered that long-term accommodation in Queenstown wasn’t easy to come by. The town’s popularity with both tourists and seasonal workers meant that rentals were snapped up fast, and options were limited. I went from one short-term stay to another, scrolling endlessly through listings, messaging landlords, and showing up to house viewings along with ten other hopefuls.
Eventually, I got lucky. I found a room in a shared house—not a place of my own, but it was stable, affordable (by Queenstown standards), and came with flatmates who made the adjustment easier. Shared living is incredibly common here. Whether you’re a local, a newcomer, or a working holidaymaker, chances are you’re splitting rent and stories with others under the same roof.
Living in a shared house might not have been what I pictured when I dreamed of moving here, but it’s become part of what I love about this place. There’s a sense of camaraderie that comes from sharing space, cooking meals together, and navigating life in a town that constantly hums with energy. Queenstown is full of people chasing adventure, and it’s easy to connect with others who, like me, packed up their lives to be closer to mountains, lakes, and that Kiwi lifestyle.
Now, years later, Queenstown really feels like home. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. This town taught me resilience, patience, and how to build a life one step (and one flat viewing) at a time.