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A long, long time ago Christchurch was a suburb of Lyttleton, because Lyttleton was founded first and for a few decades the bigger place. Now it is the otherway around. Because Christchurch has grown into a city of 400,000 it has absorbed what were once independent villages and founded new suburbs. We lived 12 km (7 miles) from the center in Sumner; even further out our way is Taylor's Bay.

Our impression is that most of the people in Christchurch live in single-family homes, although apartment buildings are easy to find. The single-family homes range from modest old cottages without central heating to the most modern, all facilities glass buildings.

Modest plaster home in Central Christchurch

Hilltop mansion in Clifton Terrace