StevieB

First time poster, long time reader (well for the last hour anyway).

We're moving to Hamilton in Oct, missus has a job at the hospital (I haven't got a job yet, though looking at some of the vacancies I could probably get one as a shepherds crook or something!). Was wondering if anyone can advise on which suburb(s) we should be looking at to live in convenient for her job. Will be renting first, buying later. The hospital will pay for 2 weeks in a motel when we get there, so time to look for a house then. Also need to find a school for our 10 yr old.

No doubt there's already a thread about this somewhere here but unfortunately I've had a sudden attack of the lazies and the PC screen is trying to pull me in! If there is already one that you know of can you tell me what the title is, save anyone having to repeat themselves just for me.

Thanks in advance

danny.f

Got to admit mate-not seen too many recently about Hamilton,but hang in there-it'll spark something soon. Don't let the thread fall too far down the list,if you reply regularly on it-it keeps it where people see it. Good luck. Dan

StevieB

Thanks Dan. It looks like the place everyone is heading is Wellington, you got something going on there? It all seems very farm related in Hamilton (although I do hear there is an interesting thing you can do with a sheep, a cow, a tube of Evo-stick and a rubber sheet!). Hopefully someone out there will be able to help. Read the appreciation thread by the way, quite a fan club you got going there!

danny.f

It's only cos I swear!
There was a sister on our ward who swore she would rather go to Hamilton than anywhere else,but we never actually got there. The majority seem to go to Auckland,but it's a little too big for us,Wellington's just right for what we need!

PaulGent

Hi Stevie,
I am in Tauranga and my wife is a ward manager in the city hospital. Been here since Oct last year and living in Tauranga since January. I have visited Hamilton and my wife tells me that it has one of the biggest hospitals around the area. Hamilton defintely has much better shopping and nightlife than where we are but then it is not near the sea etc.
If you need some advice on renting/buying a house then let me know. We have done both!
Good luck!

StevieB

Thanks Paul. Any advice you may have on renting will be gratefully received.

helinuk

BE member "firing1" is living in Hamilton- you could send him a PM. He has replied to several of my questions and pm'd me.
He works for 'kiwi ora' a gov. agency who help with settling people into NZ.

HTH
helinuk

StevieB

Thanks helinuk, that's great. I've just pm'd him so hopefully I'll get a reply soon....hey, I have a star!

Linda Maxwell

Hi there, we lived in Hamilton for 8 years. St Andrews, Berescourt, Pukete are all good areas, handy for town, close to the river for walks, and the golf course if you play. My kids went to Te Rapa primary school, which was quite good.
If you want to be closer to the hospital, Melville, Forest Lake, areas are not bad. Would keep clear of some of the more outlying areas, as if you have to cross the river at peak times it can be a total nightmare, but that is only my point of view, no doubt someone else will say different.
Look on internet for Harcouts, Century 21, real estate agencys.
Hamilton is a nice city, with just about eveything you could want, we did enjoy the time we spent there. Good luck.

StevieB

Thanks Linda. My BH has actually been looking at houses in St Andrews, Pukete and I did have a look at the Te Rapa school report, which seemed quite good. Also I do play golf so this is sounding quite promising. How far are these areas from the hospital? Is it walking/cycling distance or driving distance, what about from shopping areas, Drs, dentists, I imagine it's pretty well served.

Linda Maxwell

would say that you are in the right area then. The hospital is well within driving distance, 10mins, 15 at peak times. Doctors and dentists are easy reach, as is the town centre, but the new industrial centre with big shops and a supermarket is on Te Rapa straight (road) north of the city, you are well placed for everything. Te Rapa school is quite a new school 10years maybe, I worked there for 2 years. The high school area that you will be in is not so god though, and I would do some research and get your childs name down for a good school, we had to pay for private school in the end for our 2. But they are supposed to be building a new high school in Flagstaff that will serve the area, dont know if it is built yet though, as we have been back for 18 months now.

StevieB

Cheers Linda, some good info. I'll bear in mind about the high school, but we will still have her final year at primary/intermiediate to go through, so that's not an immediate challenge for my brain, which to be honest is nearing overload with everything else!

StevieB

Can anyone tell me if our 10 yr old will need a student visa if we have permanent residency? Also still any other advice on renting and Hamilton in general.

Karen B

danny.f

Karen,
there is a Hamilton website - have you been on that?
Donna

StevieB

Yes I found that, it has some good info, but you always need the personal touch!