sky

Yes lol I do that a lot and am more appreciative of the villas etc now too. It takes time to love a country and I was getting there with NZ

mazi

That's the point when you know you've been there too long!

mazi

Maz,

Of the three I liked Wellington the best - if you want to feel like you're in anything remotely like a city, that's the one to choose in my opinion. I suppose it depends where you have lived previously as to what you expect from a city (yes I know you're in Chicago suburbs now). I lived in London for years and loved (love, love, love still) it so my expectations of a city are probably quite high. Wellington has an element of sophistication about it - the others do not. In my opinion.

Littletoe

Hello there

Well, just thought I'd add my two cents/pence worth in. Although, to be honest I don't have a definitive answer! I lived in the North Shore of Auckland. I loved it, I was close enough to the city to enjoy the benefits (good healthcare, 24 supermarkets, nights out, etc), but far away enough to feel like I wasn't living in a city. There are some lovely suburbs there, lovely people (mostly English and South African), and some gorgeous beaches. Auckland itself, I would describe as a souless city. It doesn't really have any character. There's tons of traffic lights, loads of lemmings trying to cross the road and people are less then curteous on the roads. The traffic in Auckland will make you want to light a cigarette (even if you don't smoke!), and the boy-racers are a sight to behold! Surprised no one mentioned that. Young, rich boys in their Suburus, lots of dazzling lights, making far too much noise, crusing through the city on Sunday nights. Bit of a nightmare really. And in the evenings, doughnuts and brakes can often be heard all around Auckland. I also lived just outside of Christchurch when I worked at Mt Hutt. Oops, hard not to mention the weather! Its not a bad old place, had some good nights out there. And if you like skiing, its a good place to be. Plus in general the SI is more beautiful and the people really are more friendly. Finally, good old Welly, home of the beehive. Not too impressed, just like any other city in the world, but hubby is looking at jobs there as well because there's some good money floating around them parts. Plus, its a hop, skip and a jump away from the SI.

Why didn't you include Nelson? That's a popular city as well, really very nice.

mazi

And why didn't she include Hamilton? It's not a popular city, nor really very nice but...Surely that shouldn't be held against it?

(Can't decide which smiley shows mild sarcasm hopefully masquerading as wit best.)

DiffordA

Surely that is a contradiction in terms!!!

mazi

Maz

I figured I'd just stick with the 3 major ones as if you start including Nelson and Hamilton, then someone else will add Napier/Hastings, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Queenstown, Dunedin etc. etc.

Great responses so far, thank you, and keep 'em coming!

mazi

Don't let any Hamiltonians hear you say they are not 'major'! It's the fourth largest city, you know! They're very proud of that. But I see your point.

mazi

Maz, are balloons especially mad?

Maz

LOL! It's part of a quote from one of my fave films, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Arthur said to Ford, about Trillian: "She was amazing though, Ford. Beautiful, witty, mad as a balloon." So while it would be awfully immodest and presumptuous of me to assume the first two, I can definitely say I'm mad as a balloon.