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Top 5 Tips on Relocating to a New Neighbourhood

by | Feb 11, 2021 | Silverstream News

Moving to a new neighbourhood can be nerve-wracking and you may have questions racing through your mind such as; Will the neighbours be nice? Where’s the nearest supermarket? And how will you meet new people? Worry no more with Silverstream’s top 5 tips on relocating to a new neighbourhood!

1. Join the Facebook community group & join Neighbourly

One of the best ways to stay up to date with what’s happening in your new neighbourhood is to join their Facebook community group. Here in Silverstream we have our own community group, Silverstream Kaiapoi Community Group, where our residents and businesses can post about the latest deals, queries and advice. Neighbourly is another great platform to keep updated on the latest news and events in your neighbourhood. We also post regularly on Neighbourly so you can keep posted with what’s happening in Silverstream Subdivision and around Kaiapoi/North Canterbury.

2. Attend local events & classes

Attending community classes and events is a great way to meet new people in your neighbourhood who have common interests. In the Silverstream retail village, there is a community noticeboard which is a great place to find out about events happening around the area such as the Annual Duck Race, Christmas Picnic in the Park and community garage sales.

3. Go the old-fashioned way & take baking to your new neighbours

Whether it’s scones, brownies or bickies, baking is a sure way to get on the good side of your new neighbours, and it’s a great excuse to go and introduce yourself! You can even get your kids in on the baking fun, plus you can make some extras for yourself because who can resist a good bit of baking. If baking isn’t your thing let our local cafe, Urban Revival, do the job for you and invite your neighbours out for a coffee.

4. Take a tiki tour around the neighbourhood

Moving to a new neighbourhood is the perfect opportunity to get the family in the car and take a tiki tour around. You could pack a picnic, go to the local park and make a day of it! Driving around is great for getting oriented to your new community, plus you can find out where all the cafes, medical centres, supermarkets and pharmacies are. In Silverstream, we have all the essential amenities in our retail village in the centre of the subdivision. This includes Urban RevivalNaya SupermarketSilverstream PharmacyLe Plaisir, and many more! If driving isn’t your thing you can go for a lovely walk or bike ride by the stream where you’ll see our resident ducks, as well as having the chance to meet a lot of your new neighbours. While you’re out make sure to register at your local doctor, Silverstream Medical Centre, and dental practice, PAG Dental, then book the children into the local preschool, Best Start Silverstream.

5. Volunteer in the community

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your new community and meet new people. In fact, there are quite a few organisations doing great work in North Canterbury such as:

If you want to get involved in planning the events around Silverstream, apply to join the Silverstream Social club by emailing [email protected].

 

If you’re still feeling nervous about moving to a new neighbourhood, feel free to pop into the Silverstream sales office for a cuppa and we’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have!

Best Hedging Options
  • Griselinia varieties especially Griselinia Canterbury (extremely hardy, fast-growing, perfect for shelter)
  • Pittosporum varieties especially Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ (attractive, dark green foliage and a reliable hedge option)
  • Teucrium fruiticans – Silver Germander (excellent for low hedging, providing silvery foliage all year round with pale blue bee-attracting flowers)
  • Lonicera nitida – Box Honeysuckle (rapid growth rate, makes excellent hedging)
  • Corokia Geenty’s Green (yellow flowers in Spring followed by red berries in Autumn)
Native Options
  • Coprosma (many varieties, attracts native birds)
  • Carex (numerous varieties for all conditions from dry to wetland—excellent for mass planting, bulletproof)
  • Marble Leaf (good for underplanting)
  • Poa cita/Silver Tussock (ideal for revegetation)
  • Manuka (attracts bees)
  • Kanuka (hardy native option)
Reliable Colour Shrubs
  • Nandina/Heavenly Bamboo varieties (attractive year-round foliage):
    • Gulf Stream
    • Lemon Lime
    • Firepower
  • Lavender (attracts bees, thrives in dry conditions)
  • Camellia (good winter/early spring flowering)
  • Escallonia (can be grown as either shrub or hedge)
  • Hebe Wiri Mist (popular, reliable, and low maintenance)
  • Hebe Red Edge (a robust plant with lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white)
Trees That Work
  • Paper Bark Maple (hardy variety)
  • Norway Maple (reliable performer)
  • Prunus /Flowering Cherries (beautiful seasonal display)
  • Malus/Ornamental Apple (excellent for gardens)
  • Weeping Pear (sturdy branches handle local conditions)
  • Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (smaller variety, good for gardens)
“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach.”

Plan Smart, Plant Smarter

Careful planning is the key, says Paul Saunders, Nursery Manager at Sublime.

“Soil preparation is a foundation that’s particularly important in new developments where topsoil may have been scraped away during construction, leaving less-than-ideal growing conditions behind,” he says.

“Then, rather than rushing to fill every corner with plants, I suggest taking an observational approach.”

There’s often the temptation to rush in and quickly plant everything straight away, says Paul, but the key is to take your time.

“Start with your hedging and shelter first,” he says. “This foundational step will create beneficial microclimates throughout your garden and an initial shelter belt that not only protects against Canterbury’s winds but also helps manage frost patterns across your section”.

Indeed, careful attention to sun exposure and positioning should help you decide which plants should go where.

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach,” says Jo.

“Plants on your north face need to be the ones that don’t mind full-on sun, which can be quite harsh, especially along with those easterly winds. Good fencing can help in that respect.”

“Think of your garden as a blank canvas—just with some unique factors you have to take into account to get the best result.”

Simply put, success comes from working with the unique Canterbury environment rather than against it. By choosing locally adapted plants and taking the time to understand your property’s specific conditions, you can create a garden that not only survives but thrives through our region’s dramatic seasonal changes.

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