carolineweaver

Hi. I recently emigrated to Picton from the UK. It's a beautiful place, but I'm finding it quite boring. By 6pm it's like a ghost town. There's nothing going on. Does anyone else think the same? Any advice?

BEVS

That's a bit normal really from our experience here and we have been in NZ for 12 years now. The latest you'll reasonably get is maybe 9pm/9.30pm . 10pm at a stratch if you want to get on the edge out outstaying your welcome.
Came as a shock to us. when people all starting making for their beds at that time.

We're in the Nelson & Tasman Bay area by the way. Village called Mapua.
We drive over to the towns of Motueka , Richmond or Nelson and it's dead. Ghost town as you say.

I've no answer to this at all.

carolineweaver

I feel it's lacking a spark, beautiful but boring. I really miss home. Where are you originally from?

BEVS

I'm originally from Bournemouth and my husband was born in Wolverhampton although although he migrated to Bournemouth in his 20's.

I actually feel the same about Mapua. It is picture postcard & dreary all at the same time.

I don't know what age you are or what your occupation is nor how long you have been in Picton.

I'm thinking that you may have to look at Christchurch or Wellington to gain more assorted stimulation.

My husband works in Blenheim quite a bit. Although it has improved it is still a quiet place too.

Stormer999

Research before we came gained me a bit of advice from a Kiwi friend......

If you can make your own entertainment come.....if you need someone to entertain you don't....

21:00 hrs is quite late for our area....

BEVS

So what sort of entertainment does this lady make for herself out of interest?

I think some of this is not just the 9pm obligatory bedtime , which I still can't do but that everything shuts down so you have no choice but to hole up in your own home or someone else's until lights out.

That's why I'm thinking Wellington or Christchurch . At least one might have a show or some sort of event of an evening or perhaps somewhere to eat late supper even if there is only a choice of one or two places. Y'know. Something different.

Wonderful that you were told this by your Kiwi friend but that doesn't help her does it.

carolineweaver

I am 43 and I am a teacher. I really miss home and don't know how long I will stay. I miss life and soul, haha! Oh and shopping, country pubs etc.

Kotare

Did you research:
a) NZ
b) Picton (where the Ferry is the only action)

A major city is your only choice.

BEVS

Does it matter?

Does my head in a bit when people go on about 'research' when it comes to stuff like this.

We did research. We did a reccy and we had toured here. Nothing prepares you for how quiet that NZ quiet can be. It's not evident with 'research' and it is certainly not evident during a reccy and the like. It does become evident after one has been here a while , so give this person a break . She isn't perhaps married to a Kiwi nor spent her formative years here.

Yes. Wellington might be a goer however this lady will need to go where the work is & for teachers it is not easy right now to pick up that full time work contract.

I dunno Caroline. Is Oz a goer as a teacher? Melbourne is a good city with plenty of life and yet a great countryside.

I'd suggest Nelson but you'd likely find it a bit samey after a short while.

Are you managing to make inroads with any friendships at all? Even on a superficial level.

carolineweaver

Hey you are right I came where there was a job. Picton is more than a car ferry terminal, it's actually very beautiful but its quiet as is Blenheim. I have stayed in Auckland a few times but still feel like it's lacking something. I have made a few friends but nobody my age really. I could do with a good night out. My son lives in Auckland and he is heading to Sydney in Sept so I may consider there. Thank you for your advice.

escapedtonz

Yeah I agree there is something lacking even when you're in a place that is a good night out like Wellington for example. Don't know what that is exactly...maybe it's just because it's not the same as back home, but I'd be surprised if it was.
I had a couple or ten lads/work nights out in Wellington's Courtenay Street when I lived there and there was plenty of pubs/bars/clubs to contend with and that was just in the central area. Apparently there are many more hidden away in the back streets that I didn't get the chance to visit as I left after 2.5 years and moved further North. Also know there is an official map with 15, 20 or so craft beer pubs so one can have a good day sesh!

I live in Tauranga now and it is very quiet. There is a bar street down the Strand with maybe 10 bars but it isn't quite remotely rocking as a typical town centre street would be in the UK, but that's OK by me. Had all them days when I was younger so the fact that I don't go out anywhere near as much as I used to (or at all) doesn't bother me. Gone are the days of going to the local for a quick pint. Cost too much in a taxi anyways ;-)

Justcol

The last chap who tried to move from Picton

https://youtu.be/I6Ffr1U7KMY

BEVS

I'm not that for the OP it is about going to pubs and bars.

garethwm

Picton is always going to be a struggle on the entertainment front, especially if youre single or without kids. Its not somewhere I would chose myself. Its very small and very remote and Blenheims not much bigger or less remote. Hop on the ferry during the school holidays and check out Wellington for a couple of weeks, would be my suggestion. Depends on available jobs of course.

ozornz

Made me laugh, love it.