The 9 best suburbs in Wellington: Ranked by locals

Median HomesEstimate - $895k

Newtown is as quintessentially Wellington as Cuba Street; the difference is, it’s a great place to live. It’s easily walkable, full of life, and incredibly diverse. Locals love the cafes, the incredible density of great coffee (Baobab, Black), the market, tool library, and the independent, artsy shops. There are great bus routes and bike lanes in the area, and it’s closer than almost any other suburb, so getting to the CBD, airport or beaches is easy peasy.

If renting or buying in Newtown, start your search in the South Eastern corner from Constable Street downward. Locals say it's sunnier and more sheltered here compared to the rest of the suburb (and trust us you want sheltered in Welly).

Median HomesEstimate - $860k

If you want to be near Newtown, but live somewhere a little quieter and more family friendly - definitely look at Berhampore.

It’s a tiny suburb surrounded by parks and hills about 10 minutes walk away, with great transport, quality schools, and possibly the best coffee and croissants in Welly at Gramercy.

Median HomesEstimate - $1.08m

Mt Victoria is Wellington’s version of a leafy inner-city suburb, with hundreds of charming historic homes, and a great location right near the city and Oriental Bay. Houses here are expensive and they’re tightly held because once people move here they often don’t leave.

There’s great eating here, good cafes, scenic walking tracks up Mt Vic, and if you’re lucky you might find a home with ocean views.

Median HomesEstimate - $950k

Peter Jackson - arguably the most famous Kiwi film director of all time - lives here, but cool as that is, that’s not why this suburb is so popular. It’s more about the friendly village vibe, the great local shopping centre, Roxy Cinema, and the cool creative energy - which to be fair might have something to do with the presence of Jackson and Weta Workshops.

Locals tip: there’s one way in and out of this suburb so traffic at peak times can be a bit gnarly.

Median HomesEstimate - $1.22m

Roseneath is barely a suburb - there are about 1,700 permanent residents, no shops at all, and fewer than a thousand homes here. That said, it’s beautiful here, and because it’s so tiny - people tend to know each other.

It’s located on the slopes of Mt Vic above Oriental Bay, with mainly older homes; think villas and bungalows on steep streets. Most properties have views, and it's just a short walk down to Oriental Bay (your local shops if you live here), or a quick drive to the city centre. There’s a lot to like about this place, which is why property here costs a bomb.

Median HomesEstimate - $980k

There’s a lot to like about Brooklyn, a little suburb perched on a hill walking distance from the CBD that’s named after the New York Borough. It’s got its own Central Park, which is great for dog walking or getting out in nature - and there are plenty of family friendly walks, including trails up the iconic wind turbine.

The town centre isn’t big here, so it tends to be slightly quieter than most city central suburbs, but there are still great local restaurants (the Salty Pidgin), plus good coffee, and Penthouse, an awesome historic cinema. Plus there are great views of the city and harbour from plenty of homes here if you’ve got the budget - what’s not to like?

Median HomesEstimate  - $1.29m

Some of the best schools in the city, lots of greenery, stately old homes, panoramic views, and a five minute commute to the city (via car or cable car). Kelburn has a lot going for it.

Despite its proximity to the city it’s quiet and safe, making it great for families. Plus it’s right next to the botanical gardens, which is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the entire city. There’s a great selection of shops including a great second hand store, a wine bar, and more, and the streets with views feature some of the city’s fanciest homes. If you’ve got the budget, this has got to be one of the best places to live in the windy city.

Median HomesEstimate - $1.76m

Oriental Bay is a bit like Wellington’s version of a Riviera - just windier, smaller, and with way better coffee. It’s technically a suburb, but functions more as a waterfront promenade, with homes wrapping around the ocean (most of which have stunning panoramic views). If you want seaviews, cafes, and a stunning beach close to the city - this is your best bet.

There’s so much to like about this little suburb, but it’s worth mentioning that traffic can be hectic along the waterfront during peak times - and while the walk to town is lovely on a nice day, it’s a nightmare when the wind is blowing.

Median HomesEstimate - $1.08m

Lots of locals call this little semi-central suburb Wellington’s best kept secret, and with good reason. It’s got a quiet, village-like feel, but it’s only a 12 minute bus from the CBD or a 14 minute cycle. Plus it’s got a charming heritage centre, great schools, and you can still buy a four bedroom home with a little land here - making it great for families.

Locals tip: look for homes on the west side of the ridge in Hataitai. The ones on the other side can lose the afternoon sun very early, making them freezing cold in winter.