Clutha District Council Lawrence ward councillor Jock Martin said residents of the historic gold rush town — population 470 — were excited to learn of a second million-dollar house sale last week.
The Sycamores — a 140-year-old, seven-bedroom homestead in Lawrence’s Peel St — was sold to North Islanders for a town-record $1.325million.
It followed hot on the heels of the $1.225m sale of Marama Lodge — also to North Islanders — in June.
Mr Martin said several Aucklanders had previously settled in the town and been met with a warm welcome.
Lawrence was an "ideal" lifestyle or retirement location, sitting close both to Dunedin Airport (50 minutes) and Central Otago (75 minutes to Alexandra), while offering an active community life locally, he said.
He said he looked forward to buying the newcomers a cup of coffee once they had settled in.
"We’re a community that looks after its own, so they can expect a friendly welcome."
He was not surprised by the million-dollar price tags on the latest sales.
"What would you pay for a holiday home on Waiheke Island? When you look at the lifestyle down here and the options for anyone to get on the property ladder, I’m only surprised there aren’t people queuing up to move south."
Harcourts agent Shelley Krieger, who handled the record-breaking Peel Street sale, said the new owners were part of a recent North Island rush to snap up what was seen as "highly affordable" real estate in the South.
Mrs Krieger said the new owners intended to embed themselves in the community, and use the property — which sits on a 4983sq m section — as a family home.
"There’s a genuine sense of community here. When you walk down the street, they acknowledge your existence. They look you in the eye and say hello."
Those wishing to join the flight south could still find bargains, she said.
"We have the former BNZ bank — another 1880s building — on Ross Pl, right in the centre of town."
Inquiries over $550,000 were welcomed.
