escapedtonz

Hi Sue,
Must admit we struggled initially. With a couple of months to go before moving there was like 5 properties for rent in Bethlehem but only a couple suitable. We managed to secure one without viewing in person just by sheer luck. Kind of just regularly kept in touch with an agent here giving her lots of info about us with pics, description of jobs etc and she must have just taken a liking to us and so offered us the 2 properties we were considering over people she had met and who had viewed the properties in person.
It probably swung it that my wife was a nurse and we had a toddler in tow - can't believe it was my good looks ha ha!
Yes there's a few nice cafes in the area. The pub is really good also at Bethlehem shops. Good beer and food. Highly recommended.

We emigrated from Preston - NW England.

How about you - where from and any children etc. ?

Why are you looking in Welcome Bay and nowhere else ?

JackandE

Hi Sue...did you get my PM......Jackie

suza712565

Didn't get any response for a while. Now have a viewing on Friday. Fingers crossed

Sue

suza712565

Wow you were very lucky with your estate agent. How long have you been here?

I Went to Bethlehem today for a coffee and cake. Had a wonder around and shopped at countdown. Don't know what it is but I just love it there.

We are looking at Welcome Bay because of the school. I have 3 girls 6, 4 ,2.
I would move to Bethlehem tomorrow if we could find a house within our budget. $400 max as I'm not working.

We have come from Bedfordshire. Been here 4 weeks.

Sue

suza712565

Hi Jackie,

Not had a pm? I will pm you.

Sue

escapedtonz

Yeah she was great.

Moved up on the 7th November 2014 so four and a half months now.

Yes Bethlehem shopping area is lovely as shopping areas go. I'm regularly there for a shmooz around and a coffee. Drove past today a couple of times after dropping my boy off at kindy but went to the golf club
Best cakes we've found is a Cronut filled with custard or cream - OMG heaven!!!

Ah yes. You'll struggle finding a rental for less than $450/$500 in Bethlehem. The one we landed was the cheapest we had seen in the area but it looked fine on the pictures. Convinced there was something wrong due to the price per week ($450) but it's great. It's only around 165 sq meters on a 650 sq meter plot but the price is because it's a private rental and not managed through a rental management company or agent. The owner just uses a rental agent to get the tenant then the agreement is drawn up between owner and tenant so we haven't had any dealings with the agent since we moved in.
The owner is also English. He's a dentist in Tauranga and been here 20 years. Lives in a big house in Tauriko and we've heard a rumour he also has another house not 30 seconds walk away ? Dentists must get paid well

Will keep my ears out for anything - why not email ALL the houses that are for sale in Bethlehem via TradeMe in your size range and offer to rent it for a year ?
They can only ignore you or say no. Worked for us in Wellington. You never know someone may decide to rent their property instead for a year or more ?

suza712565

I need to get into dentistry quick!!

That's great advice and I will definitely give it a go.

If only we could push our budget up a little more. We just want to make sure that we don't leave ourselves short.

I will give the cake a go for sure.

Sue

escapedtonz

What sort of rental contract have you got now - Fixed or periodic ?

suza712565

Got to give 3 weeks notice

Sue

MrsFychan

yes but how long is the contract?

suza712565

No contract

MrsFychan

sorry but thats a bit worrying?

so where is your bond going, how can you confirm you will get it back, what is their timeline to tell you to leave, what condition are you to leave the property in, who is paying the rates, who is responsible for any repairs?

suza712565

Sorry. Yes we do have a contract. Busy, stressful day today.

Sue