Coast Vs Country: A Guide to Your Holiday Home Style
Looking for an out-of-town escape to fall in love with? This guide will help you decide on where to go
Although nearly nine out of ten New Zealanders live in cities and suburbs, in our hearts we think of ourselves as people of the land, living beside beaches and lakes, in the bush or atop mountains. Here’s how to decide whether you’re a coast/beach person, or country/farm type (lake-lovers can choose between the two) before you venture into the holiday home market. Take our Yeah/Nah test to find the house to help you make your dream decision.
YEAH: Country escapes mean you’re likely a long way from noisy neighbours.
NAH: if you’re the gregarious type, it’s also a long way to shout out to next door for a catchup.
NAH: if you’re the gregarious type, it’s also a long way to shout out to next door for a catchup.
Hunkering down
We’re on an island at the bottom of the world’s most changeable ocean, the Pacific, so wind and fast-changing weather systems are a fact of life. A country house tucked into the lee of a hill or stand of trees, as architects Mason and Wales have done for this Cardrona river house, is the perfect place to spend your downtime while remaining cosy and protected.
We’re on an island at the bottom of the world’s most changeable ocean, the Pacific, so wind and fast-changing weather systems are a fact of life. A country house tucked into the lee of a hill or stand of trees, as architects Mason and Wales have done for this Cardrona river house, is the perfect place to spend your downtime while remaining cosy and protected.
YEAH: This style of retreat will provide unmatched view of the wilderness.
NAH: Wilderness often comes with wild weather; you’ll want a strategy for staying protected from it, even in the summer.
NAH: Wilderness often comes with wild weather; you’ll want a strategy for staying protected from it, even in the summer.
Mountain high
The closer to the mountains you get, the more the climate gets continental, with freezing and snowy winters and hot dry summers. Head further towards the centres of both North and South Islands for more rugged and spectacular landscapes. Just be sure that whatever dwelling you set your mind on has solid insulation and a good heating system.
The closer to the mountains you get, the more the climate gets continental, with freezing and snowy winters and hot dry summers. Head further towards the centres of both North and South Islands for more rugged and spectacular landscapes. Just be sure that whatever dwelling you set your mind on has solid insulation and a good heating system.
YEAH: With a mountainous escape, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of rugged peaks and tussocky highlands.
NAH: We don’t do ski-in (or hike-in) mountain towns, so you’ll still have to drive to those beckoning mountains in your 4WD.
NAH: We don’t do ski-in (or hike-in) mountain towns, so you’ll still have to drive to those beckoning mountains in your 4WD.
Southern splendour
There’s something truly special about the landscapes of the South Island, be they wild and untamed mountain ranges such as The Remarkables, or the perfectly reflective expanse of Lake Wanaka. Local authority building regulations are strict on form and colours that reflect and retreat into the rocks and tussocks, so be aware that the architecture in these areas is strictly Kiwi.
There’s something truly special about the landscapes of the South Island, be they wild and untamed mountain ranges such as The Remarkables, or the perfectly reflective expanse of Lake Wanaka. Local authority building regulations are strict on form and colours that reflect and retreat into the rocks and tussocks, so be aware that the architecture in these areas is strictly Kiwi.
YEAH: The whole world comes to the international playgrounds of Queenstown and Wanaka, so there’s loads of action in town.
NAH: Country living just got a lot less simple, more expensive with drop-dead gorgeous builds, and much, much bigger budgets.
NAH: Country living just got a lot less simple, more expensive with drop-dead gorgeous builds, and much, much bigger budgets.
Traditional farmhouse
South of Auckland, the rolling dairy and horse country of Waikato invites a quiet, rural lifestyle that appeals to those tired of the fast lane. Here, the houses reflect New Zealand’s proud farming tradition, with pitched roofs, pleasing symmetry, and modern twists on rural outbuildings such as barns and sheep sheds. Board and batten and painted brick is rural vernacular here too; it’s easy on the eye and won’t date.
South of Auckland, the rolling dairy and horse country of Waikato invites a quiet, rural lifestyle that appeals to those tired of the fast lane. Here, the houses reflect New Zealand’s proud farming tradition, with pitched roofs, pleasing symmetry, and modern twists on rural outbuildings such as barns and sheep sheds. Board and batten and painted brick is rural vernacular here too; it’s easy on the eye and won’t date.
YEAH: Here you will find pretty rolling countryside, well groomed farmsteads, original buildings begging for a makeover, and junk shops that have not been picked over and still may carry rare old-school finds.
NAH: Where there’s serious farming, there’s serious money involved. Countryside prices rival the city suburbs, the closer you get to town. And be prepared for a longer hunt for local tradies; there aren’t as many around in the country.
NAH: Where there’s serious farming, there’s serious money involved. Countryside prices rival the city suburbs, the closer you get to town. And be prepared for a longer hunt for local tradies; there aren’t as many around in the country.
Bathe in the view
It’s not true country living unless you can sit in an outdoor tub with a view. Whether it’s from your tree house, complete with mini-deck to hold the drinks, or tucked in the courtyard for a post ski- or hike-soak, there’s no need for privacy screens; clothes optional.
It’s not true country living unless you can sit in an outdoor tub with a view. Whether it’s from your tree house, complete with mini-deck to hold the drinks, or tucked in the courtyard for a post ski- or hike-soak, there’s no need for privacy screens; clothes optional.
YEAH: You can’t do this in town (or a busy beach resort, for that matter).
NAH: Dragging in buckets of water, lighting the fire, waiting for the bath to heat up. But hey, isn’t that part of the romance?
NAH: Dragging in buckets of water, lighting the fire, waiting for the bath to heat up. But hey, isn’t that part of the romance?
Live outdoors
Unless it’s actually snowing or raining, the country house essential is eating outside, watching the sun go down. Here a high-country house uses board and batten and river stone to reflect hard-working local buildings, but adds lots of space for down-time too.
Consider screened porches with insect screens for summer bugs, or pull down plastic windows for colder days to stay in your wide open spaces as long as possible.
Unless it’s actually snowing or raining, the country house essential is eating outside, watching the sun go down. Here a high-country house uses board and batten and river stone to reflect hard-working local buildings, but adds lots of space for down-time too.
Consider screened porches with insect screens for summer bugs, or pull down plastic windows for colder days to stay in your wide open spaces as long as possible.
YEAH: You can settle on a house with a smaller footprint if you have plenty of land, so you and your family can eat, lounge and entertain in the great outdoors.
NAH: Man-eating insects in the summer; lousy weather in the winter. And lots of land requires lots of maintenance, so there’s always that to consider.
NAH: Man-eating insects in the summer; lousy weather in the winter. And lots of land requires lots of maintenance, so there’s always that to consider.
BEACH
Settle in
Here in NZ, we have some of the most incredible beaches and coastal vistas to be found, as well as an abundance of properties – both new and old – built to allow us to enjoy them. You may love the country, but then again, the call of the ocean, with sand right up to your doorstep, is hard to resist.
With coastal properties within a couple of hours’ drive of the city becoming increasingly hard to find, however, coast lovers may have to settle for close-in neighbours and traffic at popular beaches.
Settle in
Here in NZ, we have some of the most incredible beaches and coastal vistas to be found, as well as an abundance of properties – both new and old – built to allow us to enjoy them. You may love the country, but then again, the call of the ocean, with sand right up to your doorstep, is hard to resist.
With coastal properties within a couple of hours’ drive of the city becoming increasingly hard to find, however, coast lovers may have to settle for close-in neighbours and traffic at popular beaches.
YEAH: Nothing lulls you to sleep (or a mid-afternoon nap) like the sound of the ocean right outside your window.
NAH: Popular beach towns turn into small cities in the summer; there’s just no getting away from the crowds. Also, after the mid-naughties lull, house and land prices at popular beaches have reached city real estate levels.
NAH: Popular beach towns turn into small cities in the summer; there’s just no getting away from the crowds. Also, after the mid-naughties lull, house and land prices at popular beaches have reached city real estate levels.
Hide away
A house in a coastal town often invites a glimpse of the sea for passers by, or as you come into the yard says “welcome, and take off your shoes”. If you don’t have direct beach-front property, look for communities where the baches stay open, not locked away behind high fences.
If you like places with open doors to welcome people wandering in and out, walking (make that ambling) or cycling about and places that take a bit of sand or mess, a seaside community is for you.
A house in a coastal town often invites a glimpse of the sea for passers by, or as you come into the yard says “welcome, and take off your shoes”. If you don’t have direct beach-front property, look for communities where the baches stay open, not locked away behind high fences.
If you like places with open doors to welcome people wandering in and out, walking (make that ambling) or cycling about and places that take a bit of sand or mess, a seaside community is for you.
YEAH: You can keep the crowds at bay with fences or trees, and some pretty spectacular modern architecture
NAH: The more town-like the beach house (gates, carpet, high-tech toys), the less traditional Kiwi holiday it all starts to feel.
NAH: The more town-like the beach house (gates, carpet, high-tech toys), the less traditional Kiwi holiday it all starts to feel.
Forget gardening
The country spread may be about show-place gardens, but the closer you are to the beach, the more natural you can be: dock + sand = gardening-free holidays. Here, you’re more likely to fine rolling dunes and tufts of native grasses that need no maintenance. If you prefer clipped lawns and straight lines, then the country estate may be more your cup of tea. If not, beach living could be for you.
The country spread may be about show-place gardens, but the closer you are to the beach, the more natural you can be: dock + sand = gardening-free holidays. Here, you’re more likely to fine rolling dunes and tufts of native grasses that need no maintenance. If you prefer clipped lawns and straight lines, then the country estate may be more your cup of tea. If not, beach living could be for you.
YEAH: No work, that’s the point of a getaway place isn’t it?
NAH: There’s little to no soil by the beach, so if you did want to grow some veges or summer flowers for the table, you’ll have to bring in soil, raised beds and screens to protect from the salty winds.
NAH: There’s little to no soil by the beach, so if you did want to grow some veges or summer flowers for the table, you’ll have to bring in soil, raised beds and screens to protect from the salty winds.
Come on down
The best bit about beach living is being able to step right out to the sand, sea and be part of those views – to gaze longingly out at vistas in the distance. This style of home uses decks and stairs to gain a view, but is not cut off from the beach. Here, rugged sleepers and shell steps merge house and beach at Mangawhai, north of Auckland, so that the beach is only steps away.
The best bit about beach living is being able to step right out to the sand, sea and be part of those views – to gaze longingly out at vistas in the distance. This style of home uses decks and stairs to gain a view, but is not cut off from the beach. Here, rugged sleepers and shell steps merge house and beach at Mangawhai, north of Auckland, so that the beach is only steps away.
Or, even if you are not right on the beach, a covered porch can become a bright outdoor living room perfect for welcoming the beach crowd up to your place. No barriers make for a relaxing place to lounge.
YEAH: House, beach and walkways blend together, in a shout-out to how things were when we were kids.
NAH: Sometimes you just don’t want other people wandering by, looking into your place. Getting away means getting away from other people.
YEAH: House, beach and walkways blend together, in a shout-out to how things were when we were kids.
NAH: Sometimes you just don’t want other people wandering by, looking into your place. Getting away means getting away from other people.
TELL US
Is your dream escape by the coast or in the country? Let us know your preferred getaway spots in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Make your Beach House Work Better
6 Features to Consider when Designing a Coastal Home
8 Popular Country Homes of 2015
Is your dream escape by the coast or in the country? Let us know your preferred getaway spots in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Make your Beach House Work Better
6 Features to Consider when Designing a Coastal Home
8 Popular Country Homes of 2015
Peace and quiet
The best argument for heading to the country is seen right here: rolling paddocks, big open skies, and barely a house in sight. It’s a bonus if there is a wee piece of bush with a stream that still suggests natural New Zealand, before the land was stripped and cleared.