Stephs home is the best.
Your close to a Mall/Supermarket/3x Bars/Dairy/Parks/Clothing Stores all within a 5-7min walk.
Riccarton Sunday Markets a must see, 16min drive that way. Family/Solo/Couples/Friends, will be catered to. Fantastic live performances, stalls galore, a definite wind down day out.
New Brighton beach, town 23mins drive. Also check what days the markets open in there. The beach/scenery is gorgeous & romantic, can be a bit windy so take a Parka jacket.
Browns Rd, Merrivale is a high class, beautifully landscaped home away from home, warm, cosey and easily maintained. Basic kitchen & cleaning essentials supplied till you figure out what you need to buy if anything.
Its within walking distance (7mins.true!!) to a small Shopping Mall, First Choice Supermarket & bustling street stores with a lot of interesting & eccletic charm, but also modernised with flare for all tastes in food & fashion. The local dairy/shop is (3-5mins.) away, turn left then left onto St Albans Rd.
The main roads/trunk lines are all easy to drive to 'everywhere' using your Phones Google Maps as a GPS. The Ch.Church City Centre is 'thata- way'. Be careful when driving through, rebuilds are present all over, also be aware of a lot of 'one-way' streets, best to walk around town, interesting sights & friendly people. The Avon river is as beautiful today as it has always been, very serene & relaxing. Christchurch lives up to being the 'FLOWER' city, absolutely gorgeous every where you turn.
Steph has been nothing but helpful to us & we appreciated her hospitality into her lovely home. Steph is easy to comminicate with so dont be afraid to ask questions.
I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of your stay in beautiful Christchurch & NO!! there were no 'shaky' grounds:-)