Property

The good life – without the work

If there is one thing thousands of small-block owners have discovered, it is that having a lifestyle does not necessarily mean having a life.

Sunday, July 11th 2004

Townies flocked to buy five-hectare (12-½ acre) lifestyle blocks within commuting distance of their office jobs. But many put their land back on the market after discovering its upkeep left them no time for leisure.

Now a new breed of lifestyler is seeking the good life, aiming to get the best of both worlds, urban and rural.

The new lifestyler lives on a small block, typically less than 3ha, among a cluster of fellow country-lovers. It is not big enough to make any money from, but there is room for the kids to have a couple of ponies or pet lambs, for an extensive garden, and a feeling of peace and quiet.

Read More - Opens in a new window

Most Read

Unity First Home Buyer special 3.99
ICBC 4.25
SBS FirstHome Combo 4.29
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 4.35
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 4.45
TSB Special 4.49
ANZ Special 4.49
ASB Bank 4.49
SBS Bank Special 4.49
Unity Special 4.49
Westpac Special 4.49
TSB Special 4.00
SBS Bank Special 4.49
Kainga Ora 4.49
Kiwibank Special 4.49
Nelson Building Society 4.59
ICBC 4.59
Unity Special 4.65
BNZ - Std 4.69
ANZ Special 4.69
Westpac Special 4.75
ASB Bank 4.75
SBS Bank Special 4.99
ICBC 4.99
Kainga Ora 5.15
Westpac Special 5.29
BNZ - Std 5.29
Kiwibank Special 5.39
TSB Special 5.39
ASB Bank 5.45
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.45
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.49
SBS Bank 5.59
SBS FirstHome Combo 3.29
AIA - Back My Build 3.34
SBS Construction lending for FHB 3.74
CFML 321 Loans 3.95
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 4.99
Co-operative Bank - Standard 4.99
Heartland Bank - Online 5.30
ICBC 5.39
Kiwibank - Offset 5.65
Kiwibank 5.65
ANZ 5.69

More Stories

Record levels of first home buyers taking out low deposit loans

Tuesday, December 23rd 2025

Record levels of first home buyers taking out low deposit loans

About half of all first home buyer lending has been done at a less than 20% deposit in recent months.

Buyers sitting on the sidelines in best time to buy in a decade

Thursday, December 04th 2025

Buyers sitting on the sidelines in best time to buy in a decade

Stable house prices, low interest rates and plenty of houses to choose from are still not enticing buyers.

Differing views on 50-year mortgage

Tuesday, December 02nd 2025

Differing views on 50-year mortgage

US president Donald Trump recently raised the idea of 50 year mortgages; but New Zealand advisers say such long loans won’t take off in New Zealand.

Houses selling at a loss hit a 12 year high

Wednesday, November 26th 2025

Houses selling at a loss hit a 12 year high

About one in five Auckland residential properties (19.3%) sold for less than their original purchase price in the third quarter, up from up from 15.9% in the second quarter.