It is located between the suburbs of Merivale, Papanui, Bryndwr, Fendalton, and St Albans.

The area is predominantly residential, containing mostly parks and schools and few retail or commercial buildings.

The main train line north of Christchurch runs through the western part of the suburb - crossings exist on Blighs, Wairakei and Glandovey Roads.

[3] Most of the suburb's housing is large and expensive, with a generally older architecture than many newer areas of Christchurch.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.8% had no religion, 44.3% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

[9] St Andrew's College is a private Presbyterian composite school catering for years 1 to 13.