URBAN TIPS FROM A GOOD FRIEND

 Ever wondered what it’s like to completely change direction and move into the heart of the city centre when you’ve previously resided in the leafy suburbs?

 I often wonder what it’s like to completely change direction and move into the heart of the city centre when you’ve previously resided in the leafy suburbs.

I have wondered, but I’ve never been brave enough to actually do it – so I talked to a good mate and colleague who has. 

Mark O’Loughlin, well-known in real estate circles for his inner-city presence and enormous volume of sales in this area, has lived in the inner city before and will be back living there again with his family once their new apartment is finished. So, naturally, it was Mark I turned to for answers about living in the city and the thoughts of urban dwellers. 

I asked him why he moved from a home with a stream boundary and relatively large garden to a multi-level apartment close to town. 

“The inner city has its own energy and vibe, quite unlike what we had experienced before. 

Multiple cultural experiences are right at your fingertips, and we found ourselves doing more in the city, for example, making a conscious decision to go to the latest art exhibitions simply because we were regularly walking past the Christchurch Art Gallery. 

There’s also ease of access when attending sporting, cultural or live show events at Hagley Park and simply walking there in mere minutes, then walking home afterwards. 

Those parking stresses became a thing of the past, and you get to like that.” 

Mark has no regrets about becoming an urban dweller. “If you had a younger family and had a yearning for large gardens or a pool, it might not work … although lap pools are becoming more common.” 

The move does present some cons. 

“Noise, from bars, people, emergency services, can be a problem, but like everything, you soon acclimatise yourself to the sounds of your local precinct. 

The sound of construction can also be ever-present, although not so much at the moment. 

Essentially, it’s a fundamental lifestyle shift. You utilise your home’s spaces; you don’t cram them full of things you won’t use or don’t need. 

You don’t need four sets of everything or 30 wine glasses. 

You’re more likely to meet friends out than entertain at home, and our city is full of an incredible diversity of restaurants, bars, and cafés that you get to visit. 

Privacy – and potentially a view – can be compromised, but that’s more than made up for with the community feel and energetic environment. 

It’s been an entirely positive experience personally and professionally for me; hence we are going back to the city after a time spent in Sumner. 

It’s fair to say the city has a stronger call for us than the sea!” 

Thanking Mark for his time and wisdom, I’ve got to thinking. I’m not a convert yet, but one day I very well could  be. 

What about you?