Three Months in Wānaka

Philly Powell
Aug 21
4 min read

The Highs, Lows, and Lessons of a Brave Move

Back in May, I packed up my life in Wellington, loaded the car (with Goldie in shot gun), and drove south to start a new chapter in Wānaka.

Three months in, the honeymoon phase has softened, and reality has settled in. But what I’ve experienced has been more rewarding than I ever imagined.

This move has stretched me, grounded me, and reshaped how I live and work.

This article is to share my reflections so far: the highs, lows and lessons of a brave move.

The Positives: What I’ve Gained

Living in Wānaka has been nothing short of transformative! Here's some of the highlights:

Nature on tap – from snow-capped peaks to frosty mornings and endless trails, the landscape has become my playground for snowboarding, hiking, and long walks with Goldie. Nature here isn’t just beautiful, it’s been a spiritual anchor, helping me live more mindfully and in alignment with my “wellbeing first, work second” mantra.
A creative spark – photography has shifted from a casual hobby to a regular photo shoots and joining the local camera club that feeds both my creativity and wellbeing.
Community and connection – moving here solo could have been lonely, but instead I’ve built new friendships through the gym, running club, yoga, local business groups, other dog owners, on the chairlift and random encounters.
Confidence and courage – making a bold move on my own has given me pride in my bravery and a deeper belief in my ability to create the life I desire.
Life-work freedom – self employment and remote work allows me to support businesses across Aotearoa while choosing lifestyle first, work second.
Fresh perspective – slowing down, tuning into the seasons, embracing nature, meeting new people and exploring new scenery have all deepened my sense of what truly matters.
Exposure to new ideas – joining groups like the Sustainable Ladies and Camera Club has given me fresh perspectives, inspiration, and learning opportunities.
Connection opportunities – being in Wānaka has connected me with old and new contacts and the introductions through mutual friends.
The seasons – experiencing the tail end of autumn and the depths of winter has given me a new appreciation for seasonal living (and for the luxury of a warm home!)
Adventure still to come – I’ve barely scratched 1% of the landscape and am so excited about mountain biking, trying out splitboarding and snowshoeing, and exploring more of the South Island.
Hosting loved ones – friends and family visiting has given me joy from sharing new experiences together.

The Challenges: What’s Been Hard

No big move comes without its stretch points. For me, the hardest parts have been:

Distance from family – being far away while my family members face health challenges has been emotionally tough. And also the feeling of “not doing enough” when loved ones are struggling.
Missing deep connections – whilst I've met more than 100 people here, nothing beats the deep friendships I have with my oldest mates. However it will only be a matter of time before my Wānaka relationships develop.
Financial pressure – Wānaka is one of the most expensive places in the country, and with business being slower and being a landlord and a tenant not being as cost neutral as one might think, the uncertainty has been uncomfortable.
Not living in my own home – renting for the first time in 14 years has reminded me how important my living environment for feeling grounded. I also miss being able to potter and make changes to the decor.
The end of the honeymoon – around the three-month mark, the initial euphoria faded, and reality set in. That shift has brought tears, but also growth.

Despite these challenges, I keep coming back to gratitude: the privilege of being able to make this move, the support I have around me, and the perspective gained through both the highs and lows.

Lessons Learned

Three months in, here’s what I know for sure:

I haven’t lost anything by moving – only gained courage, perspective, and new experiences.
The only real “cost” is missing family and friends – which makes time with them even more precious.
Growth comes in the stretch – not the comfort zone
The importance of gratitude – grounding yourself in gratitude helps shift focus away from worry and back to what’s abundant.
Life is precious and short – when my parents visited, it reminded me why taking time off to be with loved ones matters more than any to-do list.
Community grows when you show up – making a commitment to connect with at least one person a day helped me quickly build friendships.
Decisions create momentum – once I decided to move, the pieces fell into place within months.
Same same but different – much of life actually stays the same when you move; you just find a new version of it in your new location.
Don’t overcomplicate it – fears about renting out my house, moving solo, or not knowing anyone turned out to be easier to manage than I imagined.
You just need to say yes — then create a plan and take the leap!