Stephen Jones

Hi All,

I have been offered a skype interview with a software company based in Mount Maunganui.

I am very interested in their role but am wondering about where the best areas to live/shop in the Tauranga area are.

Any advice on this matter will be gratefully received.


Steve

Sparkleydiva

I haven't lived there since 2007, so not up to date with where is good/bad to live, but will be partly dependent on what you are looking for, commute time, schools etc. we had a lovely house in Mangatapu with sea views. Seemed nice enough.

Sure someone will be along soon with more info

As for shopping, depends what you are expecting but for me generally find it poor...either poor quality with clothes not fitting or expensive. I remember there being Bayfair, a tiny mall and Fashion Island but it had only just opened when we moved.

Bo-Jangles

Shopping like anywhere in NZ is pretty limited to a handful of the regular high street shops for basic needs - if you wanted a full on shopping fix then I guess a trip to Welcome to New Zealand's largest shopping centre | The Base at Hamilton wouldn't be too much of a chore.

janiejones

I know nothing about Tauranga, but just wanted to say good luck for your interview.

escapedtonz

All depends on your own opinion of a place and what you want out of an area, but this is what I've found about living in Tauranga.

Yes
Bethlehem, Te Puna, Wairoa, Whakamarama, Omokoroa, Matua, Otumoetai (majority), Tauriko, Pyes Pa, Oropi, Ohauiti, Maungatapu, Avenues (some), Mount Maunganui (North of Golf Rd), Papamoa (some), Papamoa East.

No
Merivale, Parkvale, Judea, Brookfield, Gate Pa, Greerton, Poike, Welcome Bay, Avenues (some), Mount Maunganui (South of Golf Rd), Papamoa (some).

It isn't all black and white as even the areas I've mentioned in the No section do have some great properties with fantastic views etc. It's just the general feeling I get of the places.

Shopping isn't that bad. The "big" mall is at Bayfair on the outskirts of Mount Maunganui next to the border with Papamoa. There's a retail park shopping area at Frazer Cove in Parkvale. There's a decent high street in Mount Maunganui up the North end with plenty good coffee shops, restaurants, bars and boutique shops plus surfy dude shops. Has a real holiday resort feel to it. Bethlehem shopping area is pretty good and getting better. Tauranga centre is ok for a wander around but we tend to go elsewhere unless we specifically want to have a wander down the strand in the sun with the kids. The city centre hasn't really much going for it in all honesty but yeah it's fine. None of it is anything remotely like shopping in the UK.

Stephen Jones

Thank you Janie,

I appreciate that.

Stephen

Stephen Jones

Thanks for this Bo.



Steve

Stephen Jones

Thanks for the information.

It will prove useful if things work out.

Steve

Stephen Jones

Thanks for all this information.

It will prove useful if things work out.

Steve

kingacat

We have lived in Tauranga for 4 years and as a community nurse I have knowledge of most of the areas. I think in most areas there are desirable and less desirable streets. I would recommend that you consider factors such as commute to work as well as traffic can be heavy in rush hour.
I wonder if it might be worth getting a motel for a couple of weeks and then you can investigate areas etc.
Rentals are getting scarce unfortunately and prices are rising. My colleagues rent has just gone up by $75 a week. Additionally property prices have increased rapidly over the last year.
Regarding shopping...
I tend to buy a lot online from the UK personally. I wish I had bought my books with me because they are so expensive here.
Shopping here is NOTHING like the UK, but having said that it's not a national past time here the beach and outside is!

Good luck for the job interview. You'll love Mount Maunganui. We often go after work and within seconds you feel like you're on holiday.

Happy to answer questions if you want to send me a message

Stephen Jones

Thanks to all for your advice but the company in question have decided thet I am not the person they are looking for.

I will, however, be pursuing other options so watch this space...


Steve