janeypie

Hi,

As you may know I'm moving to wellington in the next few weeks and I have lots of questions, mainly about how to get myself set up over there.

I was thinking that it might be possible to live somewhere that was walking distance to work (York street) and thus avoid having to buy a car and if (when) I want to do trips out of the city then I'd just hire a car for a day or a weekend. Is this feasible or do you really need a car??

If the above is possible then where would be good places to live? Mount Vic looks nice but possibly expensive?
I'm a single girl in my late 20's (ok so I'm about to turn 30 in 3 weeks but I'm ignoring that!) I'm on my own so want somewhere that I'll feel safe at home and coming and going into town. I'm looking to pay a max of $350pw really as I want to be able to save some dosh too however I'm also conscious of needing to choose the right location to get enough sun to keep the place as warm as possible

There seems a lot of rentals in upper and lower Hutt, are these nice/safe areas? I know there is a train line that goes straight into Wellington.

I have got the impression that Welly is similar to Oz in that it is more common to get an unfurnished place than a furnished place? I ask this cos I'm currently looking into the cost of having my stuff that is sitting in storage in Sydney shipped over to Welly, and it's v expensive.


I know some of you out there are probably going to suggest a house share but to be honest I've done 10 house shares in the last 12 years and in my experience they've caused more headaches than they've solved!

Also, anyone any suggestions on good ISPs? (it took me about 2 months to get a connection sorted in Oz and don't want to go through that nightmare again!) I'm guessing that a company that could lump together my phone and internet would be the best bet. Perhaps even TV too if it's not too expensive?? Looking at wiki, TelstraClear and Sky seem to be the 2 options, anyone any opinions on either?


eeeerrrrrmm, I'm sure there's loads more stuff I should ask but thank you in advance for any advice you could give!

Kiwiprincess

Really really dumb question - but i am good at that - but are you working on York Street in Wellington City or York Street in Gracefield/Lower Hutt?

If you are working in Wellington city (just of taranaki street) i do have a few suggestions. Not sure how much you have checked www.trademe.co.nz for places to live or www.metlink.org.nz for public transport routes. The areas within walking distance would be Mt Vic, Roseneath, Mt Cook, Newtown, Hataitai. Maybe Brooklyn if you like a walk. Mt Cook has lots of students but is quite popular as it is walkable to town. Newtown is a few minutes further down the road. Hataitai is popular because it is a teeny bit out of the city (therefore cheaper) but still only like a $10 cab fare from the city. Mt Vic/Roseneath. Roseneath has the views but it has the wind (not to mention, more spensive and the bus route isn't great). Mt Vic actually is not too bad costwise if you are careful where you look. Also, avoid places which are very close to Cambridge/Kent Terrace unless you happen to visit the place on Friday night. It is on the 'circuit' where boy racers and simply bored people drive around. A warning - a lot of places in Mt Vic are actually one bedroom flats connected to a main house - so you may end up having a small tiny flat and 5 people walking around above ya.

Another option could be Thorndon - it can be pretty cold if you are between the hills and in a dark spot but some of it is actually quite sunny. It does have quite a small little community going on so it is close to the city but not completely in the city.

If you move to a place in the city or nearby, obviously check about parking. 'Residents Parking' allows residents of the area to park on the street (some conditions obviously). Of course, this could mean you are parked 300m from your house...

If in Lower Hutt then possible Petone would be a good place to live. Personally, I wouldn't live in Upper Hutt or Lower Hutt unless you had family with ya (kids) or you particularly wanted to live outside the city. I suspect that if you did live in the Hutt you would end up wanting a car. Maybe not needing one, but wanting one. There are bigger houses there so that is a bonus. However, your comments on other posts give me the impression that you would prefer to be somewhere with a bit of a vibe....as opposed to perhaps a family vibe. Maybe i am wrong though, sorry if i am

ps I had no idea where either place was....i had to wisesmap it, so not sure if I have got the completely wrong York Street/s!

It is more common to have an unfurnished place than furnished. Oddly, the first place i looked at when i checked Trademe just now was a furnished place in Thorndon. But generally, yes unfurnished.

In saying that, you can rent appliances and there are places where you can buy stuff cheaply. Maybe not the best quality or long lasting but cheap at least.

I have no idea about broadband/isp/satellite tv providers sorry I do know that Telstraclear has won customer awards and is popular and that slingshot are a bit cheaper. I also know that I hate telecom after spending 45 minutes on the phone to them the other night trying to sort out a problem (it was sorted out though).

As for the amount you are wanting to spend vs houseshares - i guess it just depends on what kind of place you like

I think that's enough from me. Someone else can get a word in....

janeypie

HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE

thanks for all that info! it's great.
I will indeed be on York Street, Wellington City.

I had a look at trademe the other day and it's great... I'd be looking at it now to do some proper research of my own but stupid work has a stupid firewall blocking it!

I love the idea of living out in the wilds but I think in practicality it's best I live nearer town, at least at first and then if I decide I love it and want to stay I can find something bigger and further out of town. Living in town would make things easier to start meeting people too I guess.

I had a look at the metlink web site just earlier to see what the last train time would be to the Hutt and it's just after 11pm. Personally I don't like having a curfew and like the flexibility of being able to stumble home whenever the beer/wine* runs dry (*delete as appropriate), so looks like something nearer the City is definitely the way to go for me. Big taxi bills do not make me happy!

I have a lot of my own stuff but would need a sofa (reckon a sofa bed is a good way to go) and white goods... so yeah cheap 2nd hand would probably be the way I'd prefer to go... hopefully with someone who can deliver, otherwise could be quite a specticle watching me cart a washing machine on my back up mount Vic! LMAO

I've just looked at the telstra web site and they have a pretty good package with tv, phone and internet for $148pm... bargain. Esp if, as you say, they are popular and have a good rep.

I'll definitely keep in mind all the locations you suggested when I look at trade me again tonight

thanks for all the info, you've been a massive help

Kiwiprincess

I think that the trains through the week do go until just after 11. But in the weekend they should run to about 1 or 2am. Nightbuses also go back over the weekend until around 3:00am i think. It would cost $$$$$ to get a taxi to the hutt though.

This could be a case of teaching grandmothers to suck eggs (never understood that expression btw...very odd) but do check the flatmates wanted to at least see the types of places on offer and for how much. It may give you an idea about places available at least.

Yeah bus drivers hate it when you ask to strap a Chesterfield to the roof

newkiwi

Wellington City is probably the one city in Nz you can feasibly live without a car. The city centre itself has some nice apartments around, walking distance from Cuba Street, and if you dont ave a car that to your advantage because few city centre apartments have parking.

Thorndon is nice if you can afford it. Newtown has some funky places. Vogeltown and Brooklyn are both nice, but is about a 30 minute walk so you might need to take the bus. Mt Vic is good too

Apartments/ houses are generally unfurnished, but some might come with whiteware.

If you are looking to be close to the city for work and socialising then i dont think the hutt is a good choice for you.

wellington is a nice little compact towm, nice bars and coffee shops and stuff to explore..

In terms of ISPs look at telstra if it is available, and then xtra.co.nz which is nz telecom's internet service. Sky is generally what people go for in terms of TV

katypie

Hey ... I lived in Brooklyn, Highbury and Hataitai when I was in Wellington and did a LOT of walking from all those places!! (Dont' need to worry about a gym when you have all those hills to keep you fit!)

Definitely don't need a car - I was in Wellington for four years without one and got by just fine

danny.f

Have we just sold you a kid's duvet on Trade Me?
Danny-Porirua

RobClubley

I'd say avoid Xtra at all costs - I don't know anyone who has used them who has a good thing to say!

I use Slingshot because their plans suit my type of internet usage. Orcon are also good but have been bought by a larger company so things might go downhill

Littletoe

Good luck for your move, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask! And if I can provide any contacts for you, just drop me a PM.
Take care!