This is what appealed to Anna-Marie Stewart (39) and her family, who have been living in the town, about 24km north of Dunedin, for two years.
"You really know your neighbours. It’s a slower pace of life and so people are more spontaneous."
An example of this was the couple next door, who had been helping with some "guerrilla gardening" on her family’s property, she said.
Unsurprisingly, a big part of the appeal was the beach.
"I took up surfing and my kids did, too."
The swells were usually quite tame, making it a "really good learner beach,’’ she said.
"My husband took up fishing, but not too successfully just yet."
Dolphin sightings were a semi-regular occurrence at Warrington Beach, but Ms Stewart was yet to have the pleasure, she said.
"One day!"
The family did not go for many long walks in Warrington itself, but ventured out to Waitati, Silverpeaks and near Orokonui Ecosanctuary, as well as visiting spots such as Doctors Point.
"We also get on our bikes a lot. Apart from that, we mainly look after the garden."
Ms Stewart said she grew up in the country and wanted to get back to that lifestyle.
"My idea of being in New Zealand was the ability to be in nature all the time."
Warrington has a population of about 400.
In the summer this increases with the arrival of crib owners and freedom campers, the latter being a source of contention in the community.
However, even at the height of summer the town retained its quiet atmosphere, Ms Stewart said.
"The winter can be quite gruelling because you leave home in the dark and come home in the dark, but as that sun starts coming up, it’s pretty special."
The family previously lived in Northeast Valley.
Ms Stewart said it was a great community, but they just wanted to get out of the city.
It was her dream to live in a small village where the children could "walk around and go places and have a life of their own", she said.
"When I got here and saw the water I felt like ahh, that’s right, I feel at home now. We just pinch ourselves every day."
Warrington
• Population: 450 (2013 census)
• Known in Maori as Okahau
• Home to St Barnabas’ Anglican Church, built in 1872
• Has one of Otago’s safest swimming beaches, patrolled by the Warrington Surf Life Saving Club over summer.
