ClaireCornell

Hi y'all.

Which is the best place to live for an ex-brit. Any comments?

Ta

Claire

Kiwipaul

It depends on what you are looking for. I could never live in Wellington but loved Auckland.

Wellington is virtually totally a gov city and most jobs are gov related. City itself is pretty compact and has a nice cafe scene especially downtown. Good access to S I but weather their is generally windy all the time. Public transport is far superior to Auckland (which is not saying much) especially the trains.

Auckland more spread out, very unspectacular downtown area that seems to just spread up Queen St. Traffic jams are a nightmare esp getting into the city from North Shore in rush hour. Lots of good suburban shopping centres which makes up for the crap city centre. Great beaches on North Shore and spectacular coastline to the West, lots of islands offshore to explore.
Large variety of jobs available but few gov jobs, houses most expensive in whole country, but best salaries as well.

One third of the entire pop of NZ live around Auckland so it got to have something going for it.

Gill and Rob

As Paul says it depend on what you are looking for. NZ is so varied, from coast to lakes, cities to rocky mountains and very geographical stop in between.

Why pick those 2 cities? What sort of work would you be looking for?

Need any help PM us

Gill

scottish

I personally think Auckland is like London so if you like London you will like Auckland. I think it is overated and didnt like my time there. Too busy.

ClaireCornell

Reason why I was asking about only these two places is because the old man is in IT and I thought we would need to be there for jobs.

Thanks for the comments. Aukland seems to be coming out on top so far. "Always windy" in Wellington sounds a drag. Any comments on the following in Aukland:

theatre/cinema?
weather?
beaches?
safety?
friendliness?
Brits fitting in?

Ta

Claire

scottish

there is alot of IT jobs in Christchurch and Dundedin. View this website www.*****.co.uk

Bladesman

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ClaireCornell
Reason why I was asking about only these two places is because the old man is in IT and I thought we would need to be there for jobs.

Thanks for the comments. Aukland seems to be coming out on top so far. "Always windy" in Wellington sounds a drag. Any comments on the following in Aukland:

theatre/cinema? plenty of in Auckland and Wellington
weather? can be good in Auckland, bit of a drag in Wellington
beaches? better in Auckland, though pollution is getting worse
safety? Both are safe so long as you are not in South Auckland
friendliness? People say that Auckland is not friendly, didnt see that myself. Both are about the same
Brits fitting in? No problem

Parts of Auckland are very nice, Devonport, other parts of the North Shore. Much is just sprawl, Wellington is the prettier and more accesible city. I lived in Auckland for a year and stayed briefly in Wellington. I now live in Nelson, you should try here the weather is great, people friendly and the scenery awesome only problem is that the wages are shocking.

Don

That's the main drawback to what might otherwise be paradise

babybella

Wellington is my home town, beautiful place, can be windy sometimes but when it's still and sunny fantastic. Great food, wine and shopping. Easy to park in. Used to go to the ballet, opera loads, so easy to get there and get tickets.
Good choice of schools, both state and private.
My hubby also in IT, had perm job for years and then contracted until we left. Never had a problem getting work. Mainly banking type work.

anya4oz

My 'bestest friend' lives in Wellington - she used to live in Auckland - so have been to both a number of times & stayed with her.

Personally think Wellington has more going for it - great cafe society (try 'The Chocolate Fish' on the beach at Seatoun), nice location, more culture (ballet, art galleries, concerts etc), great beaches, very good Zoo, easy to get to S Island (on the ferry!). Also jobs seem about the same as Auckland: slow IT market, but there is some work out there. There are some stunning, affordable sea-view properties too.

FWIW, my friend is a NZ gal who lived here in Cambridge for about 15 years, went back home to Auckland & hated it after being here, but feels Wellington is much more 'her'. She's been very happy there for the last 4-5 years.

Anya.

ClaireCornell

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bladesman

ClaireCornell

Ta for this. Opens things up a bit.

babybella

Also check www.stuff.co.nz, this is the wellington now national paper with links to jobnet and housing etc.