MovALot

Hi

Moving down on the 4 April. Anyone living up in Whangarei?

j19fmm

Where you moving from? You say moving down? We're up from there 😆

MovALot

Hi

UK - but we are not new to this relocation game - lived 4 years Perth, 8 months Canada, recently returned from the Philippines - we are a couple in our 40s with a 7 year old and older kids (not coming with us). So Whangarei as nice as it appears? Does it feel too remote? Is there a nice community feel?

Kotare

I live an hour north at Kerikeri so not a resident. Good climate, all mod cons/full range of shops/facilities, house prices rising as people move out of Auckland. CBD seems a tadge run down but that is just a passing impression (they are spending money on renovation and the road system etc).

MovALot

Ok Thanks.

j19fmm

Agree with kotare
We only really go there for clothes shopping and to go to Kmart.
There are lots of different suburbs within whangarei so I would try and rent while you look around. Saying that rentals are pretty hard to come by anywhere up North at the moment.
As for being remote...it's NZ...everywhere is remote. If you're after a London or auckland then whangas certainly isn't that. Oh but it does have a hospital 😊

MovALot

Thanks, definitely not looking for a metropolis, try living in Manila that will cure you of any city living I am sure for life! I was down in NZ over 10 years ago, loved the overall feel of the place, looking forward to it again but not sure how it has changed, after living around the world I do not look at anywhere with rose tinted glasses, everywhere is what you make of it, you get out what you put in. Thanks for the replies.

Kotare

J19fmm (hijacking the thread) thought you might like to see an ex Matauri Bay resident that has just moved in.

j19fmm

Exactly! Only thing I would say is that everywhere seems a lot busier than it was 10 years ago, but from a business economy side I guess that's a good thing.

j19fmm

Ohhh! That is too cute, congratulations

MovALot

Hopefully plenty of organic food shops or the ability to eat 'fresh'; not so interested in supermarkets, sometimes a necessary evil bit try to stay away from them where possible.

j19fmm

Just cos I'm really nosy, why are you heading to Whangarei? Not most on most peoples radar!

wez130

I would have considered Whangerei if there was enough work, property is still at a realistic price there and it's only a couple of hours from Auckland.

MovALot

Work is taking me there thankfulky

MovALot

Thats great to hear - I have a friend already there and heard mostly positive things, just wanted to find out the Brit perspective. Down there soon enough April 4th. Thanks.