We were happy to see that Wellington made BBC Travel’s hottest cities list, and I don’t mean hot as in heat.
Wellington and New Zealand have been flying under the radar of many travelers and expats for years, but not anymore. New Zealand is seeing a record influx of new expats, nearly four times higher than the country’s 20-year average gain and many of them are headed to Wellington, which is celebrating its 150th year as New Zealand’s capital.
Wellington is located on the southern tip of the North Island and is the country’s political center. As the BBC points out, Wellington is packed with an arts scene, café culture and nightlife much bigger than cities of a similar size, nearly 200,000 people.
The BBC quotes Sarah Melke, director of the Visa Wellington on a Plate food festival on the joys of good living in Wellington: “The city has no shortage of trendy restaurants, bars and cafes. Cuba Street, in particular, located just south of the Central Business District (CBD), is seriously cool.”
Wellington’s funky vibe comes in part from a strong community feel, says Melke. “We say that Wellington acts like a city, but loves like a village.”
One of the coolest neighborhoods is in Kelburn, just north of the CBD. It’s popular with students and families and can be accessed via cable car.
Miramar, just southeast of the CBD, is the home of Weta film studios, where the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was made.
The city also is known for its art galleries and museums, including the Te Papa Museum (the Museum of New Zealand). The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand International Arts Festival are all located in Wellington.
The marine climate of Wellington is mild throughout the year. In January, the average high temperature is 68 F and the low 56 F. July temperatures reach an average 52 F and a low of 48 F. Rainfall is 49 inches annually, the same as Auckland.
If you’re searching for a more balanced lifestyle, you can do no better than New Zealand. Find out more about New Zealand in our Countries section.
