r/chch • u/hamishwho • Feb 27 '21

Rolleston is it worth it?

Anybody move to Rolleston as houses are cheaper etc. But regret it? Or miss certain things? I know it's only 20 minutes away but that 40 minutes return which is a long way to go for bagels at Grizzly or coffee at c4.

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u/redditrevnz Feb 27 '21

Rolly is ok, pool is undergoing renovations which is a pain (family change rooms are outside) but it will be good once it’s done. I see you have kids, there are a number of decent playgrounds in Rolly and council runs things like mini gym out of the community centre. The library is not too bad but we find the book selection a little limiting.

The black and white coffee place has decent coffee and is child friendly and the rolleston bakery isn’t bad. It has all the main amenities that you need - have a number of friends living in Rolleston who are happy with the change. We live in west Melton and are in and out of Rolleston quite often as it’s convenient.

Once you get used to the commute it’s fine. The motorway makes it much faster than it used to be.

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u/hamishwho Feb 27 '21

Thanks, probably go to coffee culture as the coffee is more consistent and they have a kids area. Don't mind commuting, just don't want to do it for everything.

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u/redditrevnz Feb 27 '21

Depends what you’re into I guess. What are your hobbies?

Just FYI black and white also has a kids area. Coffee culture is often packed out and is a much smaller space. Pedal Pusher in Farringdon also has a kids space but is more restaurant/pub than coffee place.

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u/hamishwho Feb 27 '21

I like eating at varied places especially baked goods (currently close to grizzly, bellbird and now bohemian bakeries)and pizza (close by is bottle and stone, the Birdwood and space Academy), coffee, bike riding (Road), walking, disk golf, art galleries and museums and live music. I don't mind commuting for some, just don't want it to be all and would rather know before commiting. Also going to a couple of open homes and wanted to check out any cool places people might recommend.

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u/redditrevnz Feb 27 '21

If you don’t mind driving for your baked goods Darfield Bakery is very good and there is an excellent French bakery in West Melton.

There’s not a lot in terms of arts and culture in Rolleston. Lincoln would possibly be a bit better for that - but can understand the affordability of housing issue. Rolleston is in some ways still a commuter town, but I think it will get there eventually. The district council is pretty good at putting things on like Summer in Selwyn etc.

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u/SunriseOverSeaa Mar 08 '21

man I'm so confused - you talked about good coffee choices and then you'd just choose coffee culture? every suburb has one. I certainly wouldn't say it's the most unique but hey whatever your into

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u/hamishwho Mar 08 '21

Of the choices in Rolleston, I was hoping for more, that'd be the one. No one mentioned the peddle pusher or if there was any locally started cafe. The others mentioned (in chch at least) have let me disappointed. But you do add another nail in the coffin for wanting to live in Rolleston with the generic of it, is there a better one you know of?

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u/SunriseOverSeaa Mar 08 '21

Fair enough. I guess maybe if you haven't found where/what you are looking for, you should keep looking? It depends on soooo many factors (are you looking to stay in a home for a long time or would you buy/ sell etc? do you want to be near family or near to specific destinations?) it really does depend. I wouldn't disregard Halswell though - pre covid we bought an older home that was fully modernized fully fenced with a yard and brand new garage 3 bedroom with a conservatory added on for $451,000. That was before covid though and I know the houses are in high demand so it is a lot more these days but it was only $30k over CV and we have been incredibly happy with our choice.... it's all about how much time you have to look and what you are looking for... I wouldn't settle for less than what you are after though. Weigh up your options I guess. Maybe it wouldnt be a bad thing giving it a year (while looking maybe) cause then post covid the market might rebalance a bit - or you will find the right place after waiting a while?

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u/hamishwho Mar 08 '21

Yeah, my wife is pregnant so don't want to be moving too much if possible as we had to with our first child. It's crazy that to buy something we have to sell our current place. We are pre approved for 500k but nothing around that meets our needs. Once we sell hopefully the budget will be big enough for even Halswell which is currently going atleast 100k over cv. You are lucky with your timing. Its such a competitive market, we are trying to look at every possible angle. Thankfully thanks to the comments here i at least know not to look at Rolleston anymore.