The secret’s out - Clyde’s charm, affordability and easy parking are making national headlines. 

This week OneRoof real estate reporter Nikki Preston declared the small Central Otago town “New Zealand’s next Arrowtown”, pointing to its goldmining heritage, historical main street, and homes still available for less than $1M. 

Tall Poppy agent Peter Hishon told OneRoof Clyde was often called the “second Arrowtown” - but reckons it’s even better. 

“It’s got that historic gold mining background, but it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of Arrowtown with tourism. You can still get a park in Clyde,” he said. 

Clyde’s mix of permanent residents, retirees and holiday-home buyers has grown steadily over the past decade, fuelled by rail trail tourism and sunshine that Peter said comes with “the lowest rainfall in the country”. 

According to OneRoof data, the average property value in Clyde is less than $1M, compared with $2.9M in Arrowtown and $2.1M in Wānaka. 

Aspire Realty agent George Wallis told OneRoof it’s “only a matter of time before the rest of New Zealand discovers Clyde”, citing its back-in-time feel main drag, “epic cafes,” and nearby vineyards. 

Clyde’s population - approximately 1200 - could be on the verge of a boom similar to Cromwell’s, which grew more than 70 percent in the past decade, George said. 

So, is Clyde the next Arrowtown? Or something better? 

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