Stephen Jones

I'm told that Hamilton is a good place to live and work.
IS that true?


Here in NZ at the moment staying in Auckland but able to travel.



Steve

davros1984

Depends on what you're after. I'd move to the area in an instant. I have to admit though that at present, there are limited jobs in my line of work in comparison to Auckland.

Hamilton is not as big or as glamourous as Auckland, but its cheaper and more functional. I also believe it has a stronger community feel, especially when it comes to the rugby. It seems the whole town units behind the Chiefs and the games there are amazing. Its very different to watching the Blues play at Eden Park which feels pretty empty and soul-less in comparison.

Really depends on what you are after!

RedDragon2008

Lived in Dinsdale as a student, then a massive house by the river in St Andrews.

Had more than enough things to do in the weekend (1 hour to the beach East or West Coasts)

Stephen Jones

Thanks Davros and RedDragon.

I appreciate the replies.


Steve

Northern Henry

Is there not much else to say about hamilton, given only just over an hour from Auckland? ( anyone want to give realistic figure on travel times to this...?)
Hamilton has this "historic" underlying constant response is " it's dull and the pits..." sort of responses.
For a mature (late thirties) family (8 year old) active, with that still studenty youthful outdoory outlook, should we be worried... ( but like biking/ fishing/climbing)...

Bo-Jangles

'Just over an hour' is a very loose theory based upon the fact that it's 100km from the Southern most reaches of Auckland, from where it could, (depending in the time of day) take you anything up to another hour to get to your destination in Auckland's CBD or beyond.

Even to do the easy bit 100k on SH1 South Auckland to Hamiltion in 'just over an hour' would presuppose you were driving above the speed limit on a free open road, without getting caught behind a logging truck, a milk tanker or a tractor and were extremely lucky with the lights and railway crossings in Huntly and in negotiating the 34 roundabouts on the approach to Hamilton.

Northern Henry

Thought this newly upgraded route was supposed to of shortened this travel time... Is is this a pipe dream..?

Bo-Jangles

Some sections of the route were upgrade to dual cariageway, no doubt it is faster / less frustrating than it once was, with more opportunites of passing the sheep trucks and campervans. However, it is still 100ks, the speed limit is still 100kph and you still have to go slower following through the towns en route. Add in extra time for getting lost at the additional roundabout that they seem to add each month.

Bellasmum

There are further upgrades to come.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/wai...way/index.html

DennisBergkamp

I thought Hamilton was terrible when i first went but have been there on many visits now and its not too bad. Some rough areas, but close to Raglan and Cambrige. Wouldntmind living in the outskirts in a nice area. Close to Auckland and Coromandel too, so not all bad

Robbie2010

Hamilton is OK .. mind you, I went on Sunday and the place was like a ghost town.... nobody about, most shops shut... all it needed was the tumbleweed.

bourbon-biscuit

It's fair to say Hamilton's charms are understated. But it does have a fair few and is likely to appeal to folk who like large towns/ small cities and don't tend to spend their leisure time in galleries, etc.

Worst thing about it, imo, is distance from the coast.

Robbie2010

Its only 45k to Raglan ...and some great surfing.

Justcol

Last week I did a return run from Cambridge to Auckland north shore (very light traffic) with only a ten minute stop/turn around.
The whole journey took me exactly four and a half hours. The new road wont benefit traffic travelling from Hams, only those travelling from further south.
Hams is better placed for everywhere that isn't Auckland. Tramping, kayaking, cycling (both road and MTB).
Raglan or the mount are less than and hour in either direction. If you fancy learning to row theres Lake Karapiro just outside Cambridge
where you can share the water with Olympic gold medalists (if you get up early enough).
Other places like Taupo or Rotorua are within easy driving distance so you can actually go, spend all day doing whatever activity your into
and travel home again all in the same day and still be home for a couple of beers in the pub at tea time.
If you like skiing there's Ruapehu and the Tongariro national park. Closer to town theres the horse trotting racing track at Te Rapa where you
can go along a have a few 2 dollar flutters and drinkies for an entertaining night out.
House prices are "normal". there is everything from brand new 4 bedrooms to lifestyle blocks 15 mins out of town for less than a 2 bed unit in Milford or Takapuna.
If you want a more friendly small town place to live there's Cambridge or Te Awamutu within an easy 20 minute commute.
Your surrounded by farmland and country side with all the usual big city shopping or bars / cafes / restaurants in the city centre.
I lived in Auckland for 2 years and left for the Cambridge 4 months ago and I've never been happier

Stephen Jones

[QUOTE=Justcol;
I lived in Auckland for 2 years and left for the Cambridge 4 months ago and I've never been happier[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this.
I'll look into it.


Unfortunately, I'm back in the UK now.