Dustybin

Just a thought after reading a few threads. Seems to me people come here for a change from the UK or wherever. Is it more important to live in the area you want or have the job you want?

I'll start since it's my thread!
We spent about 6 weeks travelling around to find areas that we liked. Then we looked for jobs in those areas. As it happens we have located in Christchurch for now as it suits what we are looking for more than anywhere else (nice city, close to skiing, walking and not Auckland!!) and was the last place we visited.

To me a job is something I do to make money so I can do the things I want to when i'm not there. My wife is slightly different and she is having more difficulty finding work in the area, being more specialised than me, but we can manage on one wage for now. We don't want to move to an area we like less just because there is more work there as it would seem to go against the point of moving here in the first place.

jenjag

Why not Auckland?

It has 2 of your 3 criteria:

1. Walking 2. Nice City

I've only been here for 8 weeks, but it amazes me the negativity towards Auckland. Each to their own I guess but the myths on traffic and it being to much like the UK are way off the mark.

Ive been to Wellington - and Auckland (for me) is a much better option being able to mix work, close to a thriving city (wellington although the capital seems much quieter), beaches and outdoor life.

I go to Christchurch in Jan, so my opinions may change, but up to now Auckland is great.

Dan

Dustybin

it is all about what you want. I lived in a city centre (Newcastle Upon Tyne) for the past 10 years and I loved it. I have spoken to people who tell me that Auckland grows on you. I just didn't like the feel of the place. Nothing to do with traffic, more just a general lack of atmosphere and a city with no real heart. I have no doubt that there is everything that you could ever want in the area, it just has about the same appeal as living in london which for me would only come after hot needles and eyes!

P.S. if you are passing the Fat Camel pop in and say hello to Kate, Dribbles and the gang for me!

P2L

We chose the job, then the school and then the area. Works so far

julesnye

ditto

Dustybin

You see the joy of no kids, no schools for us to look at!

From my point of view I had a better job in the UK. I gave that up to see the world (or at least a little bit of it) and ended up here.

uk+kiwi

Totally agree with your point of view ... although that is why we're still in the UK. Work would be in either Akl or Welly and we wouldn't want to live in either. Well actually hubbie, originally from Auckland, wouldn't consider Wellington, I've never been. Additionally, good (actually I mean excellent) schools become harder to find in the areas we like.

In answer to the person who doesn't understand the negativity towards Auckland (and city lovers aside), I think it possibly becomes more understandable the more you see of the rest of NZ. Personally I like pockets of it, but it feels very small and very claustrophobic (houses) to me, being a suburban girl. Plus it's sprawled out and lacks a 'centre' to make it feel like a city. More like Greater London I think.

BUT being on the harbour is lovely, as is crossing the bridge. Especially at night. It's a magical feeling.

maysie

We chose the location which was Tauranga, found a house to rent, sorted the kids in school, spent about a month on the mount maunganui beach learning how to surf etc and then looked for work. All very happy

hazeandsteve

We went for location.
I'm an aircraft engineer by trade, currently building windows, but happier than we have been in our ten years together because I don't disappear round the world chasing money.
We own our house, and are together in it every day

mickey_d

It's not a myth, the traffic is horrible, we lived on North Shore for a year. The record longest time for us to get to Starship Hospital from Devonport was 1 1/2 hours & its only around 12k.
We considered the area to be a backward step for us compared to the UK. The rest of New Zealand is so different to Auckland