LittleGreyCat

Thanks.

I know I keep banging on about how nice our current place is, but we did note that the most enthusiastic people we met all those years ago in 1987 loved things we already had.
Cynical me wonders where in the West Midlands they moved from.

Oh, and a buzzy night life with plenty of tourists is not at the top of our list.
We are grumpy old b*ggers who like our peace and quiet.
Noting that BEVS is thinking of moving away from the Nelson area because it is getting too crowded.
We mildly resent all the Grockles who clutter up Felixstowe in the summer holidays and try to avoid the sea front then.

Justcol

Whether you find somewhere or not. By the time you finish you will have traveled further and seen more of NZ than a large percentage of kiwis, who often seem intent on going no further than the next town down the road
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Bo-Jangles

Some in Auckland don't even like to venture further than the suburb they live in and even when they do venture out it will just be a trip to the same camp site that they always go to, or the family bach.

BEVS

That happens here. Live in Nelson or so and holiday in Kaiteriteri - same camp patch every year .

Mishclark

Very true, my late husband's cousin (who I keep in touch with) and family used to live in Chch (now live on North shore Auckland) holiday in Kaiteri every year, have forever. They're there now.

LittleGreyCat

Planning to do that this afternoon.

Cambridge town centre is very nice (if you like that kind of thing) and the general area also seems attractive. Spent yesterday afternoon there.
We are now bracing ourselves for the wet weather over the weekend as we investigate Thames and the surrounding area.
Not long now until we pack up to fly back.

One thing we completely missed is the local nature of Bank Holidays.
Auckland this coming weekend which made finding Saturday night accomodation very difficult.

LittleGreyCat

Te Amawutu seems similar to Cambridge at first sight, but a bit more dusty.
Worked out that all the heavy traffic goes straight through the centre, but SH1 goes around Cambridge.

The difference in general charm and attractiveness is very noticeable.

It is more affordable, but not enough to tip the scales in its favour.

BEVS

Cambridge NZ v UK ?

LittleGreyCat

Cambridge NZ.

Cambridge UK is about an hour away from us by car, a bit more by train, but isn't a contender!

BEVS

Nahnahnaaaah. I meant is Cambridge NZ a contender - versus status quo Felixstowe UK.

LittleGreyCat

Could be a contender, but there is big money moving in.
Had a look around a new estate on the far side of SH1 and they were all huge mansions.
Would have done us nicely if we weren't dirt poor by NZ standards
Must be well into 7 figures.

Justcol

When we sold in in Cambridge to move south. within weeks we couldn't afford to move back if we wanted to, prices were climbing so fast.

BEVS

Mind you I do not get it. Who needs these monster houses. Ugh

Justcol

That's the thing with Cambridge, they don't have to be big houses. Both of my houses there are now valued at around 1.3 million each. They are just yet average homes 😳

Moon_River

Tirau high St - the town with the corrugated iron Sheep and Dog buildings!

Both striking buildings. The Dog building is oddly creepy at night ! (Only stopped to use the public loo next door)