Please do not rule out Christchurch. Dispite the name and a bad rep from back in the 80s-90s with skin heads, we are a reasonably liberal place. Benefits of Chch. Housing, is much cheaper. The main hospital is right in the middle of town, next to a beautiful large park. The town centre is basically brand new (due to earthquakes from a while ago). If you live in the town centre, everything you need is within walking distance.