Buying guide
The best suburbs in Christchurch to buy: Burnside
Green spaces abound in beautiful Burnside.
Last updated: 30 May 2024
Located to the north-west of Christchurch city centre, Burnside is a sprawling suburb that contains everything from residential areas to large open spaces to the entrance to Christchurch International airport.
Like the other Christchurch suburbs we’ve explored in this series, it’s been among the most popular areas among those searching for homes on Trade Me Property in 2024. This comes in the broader context of growing demand within the Christchurch property market, which has experienced rising property prices, due to increased interest among Kiwi home buyers. Trade Me Property’s April Property Price Index, showed that Christchurch city property prices had increased 4% year-on-year, reaching an average asking price of $711,450 in March 2024.
If buying a home in Christchurch is on the cards for you, this article series will equip you with the intel you need to decide which suburb will suit you best. As well as property affordability, you need to learn what amenities are easily available, including schools, public transport links and recreation and retail opportunities.
So, with that in mind, let’s dive into why so many people are interested in buying a home in Burnside.
Burnside, Christchurch: key info
In some ways, Burnside is relatively young for a Christchurch suburb. It wasn’t until the 1950s, with the return of soldiers from World War II that the area experienced substantial development and growth. This meant that this formerly somewhat separate suburb became fully integrated into the city.
Today, Burnside is home to 9,420 residents, according to the 2023 census, and has a population density of 2,061 people per kilometre square.
It now features a nicely self-contained community, with a range of great amenities that we’ll discuss in more detail below. According to the most recent Trade Me Property data, the average cost of a house in Burnside is $742,200.
Why do people want to buy homes in Burnside, Christchurch?
1. Education options
One factor that has proved irresistible to many families is the fact that Burnside boasts a number of great schools both within and around its boundaries, meaning the suburb has a reputation for academic excellence. These include:
- Burnside High School – this school also features a large purpose-built performing arts centre.
- Cobham Intermediate
- Burnside Primary School
- Roydvale School
- Christ the King School
- Allenvale School
- Wairakei School
- Harewood School
- Westburn School
- Isleworth School
Burnside is also conveniently located to the University of Canterbury which is in neighbouring Ilam. This means that uni students living in Burnside, happy to stay local, have a great tertiary institution on their doorstep.
2. Diversity and community
Burnside shows a substantial degree of both age and ethnic diversity. While the majority age bracket in the 2018 census were people aged 29 and below (40%), there’s also a lot of families in the community, as well as 15.6% who are 65 and older. This demonstrates the suburb’s broad appeal, with families particularly drawn by the education opportunities mentioned above. There’s a similarly eclectic mixture of ethnic backgrounds, giving the suburb a vibrant dynamic.
There’s a strong sense of community in Burnside, bolstered by initiatives such as the LINK programme hosted by the Burnside Elim Community Church, which aims to support ethnic diversity within the suburb. There are also 17 community groups in the Bryndwr/Burnside area, ranging from niche interest groups to sports teams and much more.
3. Recreation activities
Burnside offers great leisure opportunities to its residents, come rain or shine.
In terms of green spaces, Burnside has plenty to choose from. Whether you’re playing a game of tennis at the Burnside Tennis Club in Burnside Park, enjoying a stroll around the pond at Jellie Park or taking the kids to the Nepal Reserve Playground, you won’t run out of options any time soon. Keen on a round of golf? Consider joining the Russley Golf Club, which is right on your doorstep.
If the weather isn’t playing ball, you won’t have to sit at home! One of Christchurch's most popular indoor activities is right on your doorstep, the International Antarctic Centre. Learn about life at Scott Base, get up close to adorable blue penguins and meet the team of huskies – it’s one of those places you’ll find yourself going back to time and again (particularly if you have kids!).
4. Airport and city access
If work has you jetting around the motu, or overseas, Burnside is a great place to base yourself. The suburb is quite literally right next door to Christchurch International Airport
And if you’re simply heading into town for work, you’ll find that the average Monday morning commute will only take you 15 - 30 minutes by car or roughly 30 minutes on a bike. If you’re jumping on the bus to work in the city centre, you can expect this journey to take you around 40 minutes.
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