Buying guide
The best suburbs in Christchurch to buy: Merivale
Does Merivale appeal to you?
Last updated: 23 May 2024
Next in our series of popular Christchurch suburbs is Merivale. We’ve been exploring what’s making Christchurch so attractive to Kiwi homebuyers right now, as the Garden City is seeing rising property prices, due to its increasing allure. Our 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.
So, we’re taking a suburb-by-suburb approach,, looking at the most in-demand areas of Christchurch for Kiwi homebuyers, to give you the intel you need when deciding where to buy your next home. We’ll examine everything from schools and public transport options, to the recreational activities on offer in Christchurch’s diverse suburbs.
Merivale has been the second-most searched suburb so far in 2024 on Trade Me Property, so let’s take a look at what’s drawing in all of the would-be buyers.
Merivale, Christchurch: key info
Merivale is a central suburb, located five minutes’ drive north from the heart of Christchurch. As of June 2023, it was estimated that 5,170 people call Merivale home, and has a population density of approximately 2,318 people per km2.
The southern boundary of the suburb borders onto the picturesque Hagley Park (more about what this offers later), and Merivale is known for its combination of chic architecture, with both modern and historic homes nestled side-by-side.
At the time of writing, according to our data, the average property price in Merivale was $1,388,500.
Why do people want to buy in Merivale, Christchurch?
1. Convenience and tranquillity
Merivale is a stone’s throw from the Christchurch city centre, making it a highly convenient place to put down roots. If you decide to buy a home in Merivale, you’ll have everything that Christchurch city has to offer right on your doorstep: think restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, museums and so much more – we’ll get into the specifics of some of these later.
In many places around the world, proximity to a city centre comes at a price. Central locations usually mean noise, pollution and a lack of green spaces. However, Merivale has a secret weapon that provides a buffer from all of this: Hayley Park.
Hayley Park is the largest open space in Christchurch, measuring 1.64 square kilometres in area. The park area was set aside early in the city’s modern history to provide Christchurch residents with a green space in the heart of the city. And it still fulfils this role today – from dog walkers to runners to Sunday strollers, it’s a firm favourite for locals.
What’s more, the park is directly between much of Merivale and the city centre. This means the suburb’s residents can enjoy the convenience of proximity to the city’s amenities, without any of the potential drawbacks.
Merivale offers easy access to Christchurch city centre.
2. Great schooling opportunities
If you have children, or are planning on starting a family while living in Merivale, you probably want to know about the schooling opportunities on offer in the area. There are several excellent educational institutions in and around this Christchurch suburb, including:
- Elmwood Normal School
- Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
- Heaton Normal Intermediate School
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
- St Margaret’s College
- Ferndale Te Ahu.
- Selwyn House School
3. Retail and hospitality options
As well as the plethora of shopping opportunities on offer in Christchurch city centre, Merivale boasts a fantastic local shopping precinct, bustling with unique local stores and high-end boutiques. Christchurch is known for being a city of malls, and part of Merivale’s shopping precinct is its very own, Merivale Mall. And, after a spot of shopping, residents can always head to one of Merivale’s many great restaurants or bars. Among some favourites are:
- Aikmans: perfect for an afterwork drink, or a great steak.
- Gatherings: looking for a boutique restaurant with a curated menu that focuses on local produce? Gatherings is the place for you.
- Strawberry Fare: an upmarket restaurant focussing on organic, local produce, with delicious desserts up the wazoo.
- Table Of Munchies (TOM): a must-visit for foodies, Table of Munchies is influenced by Asian cuisine and offers small plates that allow you to sample from its expansive menu.
4. Varied housing stock
Another reason why so many Kiwi want to buy a home in Merivale is the variety of housing stock available there.
Merivale seamlessly combines elegant Victorian and Edwardian mes with modern housing developments creating a distinctive blend of old-world charm and present-day convenience. This juxtaposition serves as a magnet for discerning buyers who value the harmonious coexistence of history and modernity.
All figures and statistics true at the time of writing, please note that these are subject to change over time.
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