Batty

We passed through Wellsford yesterday and reckon that someone got tired on their way to Whangarei and stopped there. It just seems to be there for no particular reason. It's nice enough but it's a farmer's town and too far to commute to either Auckland or Whangarei.

gags

When we were looking houses to rent or buy there, it does say approx 1 hours commute to Auckland. Does anyone know any better? We are desperately looking rural you see.

owen

Personally I think its a bit generous. On a good commute you are looking at 45 mins from Warkworth so that would make Wellsford about 1hr 20-40 mins. Of course State highway was shut the other day at Puhoi due to anaccident which screw your commute full stop!!!!

newkiwi

You dont have to go out as far as wellsford to find rural areas around auckland.

Silverdale, Dairy Flat out north, or out towards helensville west. I dont think you need to look as far afield as Wellsford, and the 1 hour commute is a bit of a stretch, maybe on a sunday afternoon... not daily to get to work

Cadibel

Hi there - for East Tamaki I would definitely go to the Eastern side - we are at Beachlands which is nice - a compromise of rural and beaches. Whitford and Clevedon, which are close by, are also nice and rural. The bonus with these is that from Pine Harbour at Beachlands, there is a regular ferry into Auckland City Centre - only 35 mins

Viktoria

scrubbedexpat094

I was going to suggest Dairy Flat too.

sirplug

Botany Bay has a good vibe and out of all the areas in 'South' Auckland, that is the one I would choose. Beware of when you hear about a '1 hour commute'. We live in Whangaparaoa, apparently a 30 minute commute from Auckland. Yes it can be done in 30 mins but not at the same time as everybody else! The traffic flows great but as soon as you're in sight of the bridge, traffic stops and crawls from there until the centre of the City. East Tamaki is too far from the ferry port to justify that option, driving there is really the only choice, so unless you can get another job offer, North of the bridge (or the working hours don't require a commute between 7.30/ 9am or 4/ 6pm) then the North Shore and beyond is not the best choice. But that all depends on what kind of traffic you can tolerate. It's not the same as London traffic but is the same as anything I've been stuck in around Nottingham, Manchester or Glasgow.

Good Luck.........

sirplug

Of course......if you are a biker, then that would be different......

MattandJax

Do you mean Botany Downs near Howick? if so then this is one of the areas we are thinking of. The only thing that puts us off this area is the length of time it takes to get home after a night out in Auckland, Night Bus takes too long, not on a train line and taxi too expensive. Other than that the area is perfect.

BTW we are bikers but probably not the kind you are talking about and not the kind that is allowed over the North Shore bridge!!

Matt

CindyGirl

Definately think that you need to have a car to live in Botany ,Dannemora ,Howick area .Couldnt manage without mine !

banshigirl

I live in Laingholm and absolutely love it. Hubs does the commute in about 35 mins.

We are by the beach and are about 10 mins from Titarangi and a further 5 mins from New Lynn. But could not cope without a car!

MattandJax

Agreed - who said anything about not having a car? was talking about getting back after a night out and a couple of drinks, wouldn't dream of driving then.

Matt

sirplug

I knew what I meant! Got the kids doing Cpt Cook homework....threw me off while writing!

whitesand

I would think Helensville's a bit far out from the city. I would look further down and nearer the east coast. There's plenty of rural and semi-rural places nearer the North Shore side. Found Helensville a little tired town.

Cadibel

We lived in Botany Downs for 2 months when we first got here - great location for settling in as everything is close by - and the library pretty handy too if you need computers/ printing etc.

We stayed at a furnished appt - bit pricey at $750 a week but all in so no bills, took credit card and no bond or notice needed to leave Certainly made life easy till we found our long term accommodation.

Viktoria