The best suburbs in Christchurch to buy: Cashmere

Cashmere is on the northern side of the Port Hills, approximately 5 km south of Christchurch City centre. The suburb covers an area of roughly 4.71 square kilometres, and much of its area is dominated by green space, and in particular the beautiful Victoria Park.

In June 2023, it was estimated that Cashmere is home to about 6,720 people, giving it a population density of roughly 1,427 people per square kilometre.

At the time of writing, according to our data, the average property price in Cashmere is $1,149,550.

We’ll start with the obvious: the views. With a lofty position in the Port Hills, properties in Cashmere boast amazing views over the rest of Christchurch, and this is one of the key reasons why people buy homes in Cashmere.

After all, who wouldn’t want to look out over this every night?

We’ve already mentioned Victoria Park, this large green space has everything from play parks to mountain bikes and walking trails, and enjoys panoramic views over Christchurch city. However, this is actually just one part of a large stretch of green belt that runs through the Port Hills, directly behind the residential part of Cashmere. Within the formal boundaries of the suburb, you’ll also find Bowenvale Park and Christchurch Adventure Park.

These parks offer heaps of great places for weekend walks, mountain bike missions and, in the case of Christchurch Adventure Park, adrenaline pumping adventures like zip lining. All of this means that you don’t need to go far from home to be out into nature, or for some fun freetime activities. If you’re a keen twitcher, you’ll also find Cashmere’s green areas home to native birds including korimako (bellbird) and tūī.

Looking to go a little further afield? The absolute slice of heaven that is Akaroa, is only 1 hour and 20 minutes’ drive from Cashmere, thanks to the suburb’s location at the southern edge of Christchurch.

One of the marks of a great suburb is when you see a lot of local business owners choosing to live where they work, and this is certainly true of Cashmere. Many of the owners of local cafes and boutiques have decided to make the suburb their home.

If, however, you have to make your way into Christchurch city centre for work, this is also a breeze from Cashmere. According to Google Maps, to get into the heart of Christchurch from the far south of Cashmere will take only 14 - 26 minutes on a Monday morning if you’re driving, or 38 minutes by public transport - with one bus taking you the whole way.

In the immediate area in and around Cashmere, you’ll find a range of school and kindergarten options, including:

• Cashmere Primary Te Pae Kererū
• Kidsfirst Kindergartens Cashmere
• Cashmere High School
• Thorrington Primary School
• Pebbles Montessori Cashmere
• The Celebrant School

Another thing that Cashmere is famous for among Christchurch locals is its fantastic array of cafes and eateries, offering plenty of opportunities for occasions ranging from date nights to large family gatherings. There are honestly too many to choose from, but among some of the favourites are:

• Emperor's New Clothes – this cute little cafe is a great place to grab a snack with a view out over the city.
• Cashmere Cuisine – this is a local favourite, renowned for its butchery and deli counter.
• Zeroes – fancy a great cuppa by the river? Zeroes Coffee has got you covered (also check out their great vegetable samosas and slushies!).

*All figures and statistics true at the time of writing, please note that these are subject to change over time.