New and Need Advice
 

Hi, I am 30 yrs old, hubby is 36 and we have a 5yr old boy who has digeorge syndrom (it only affects his learning - very slightly delayed, his speech is a little delay and his immune system is not 100% but not far off.).

I am a legal secretary and my husband is a HGV driver (and used to be a PSV driver). We are looking to emigrate to NZ in the next year or so and have began researching. There is so much information I dont know where to look. I have decided to look at best locations, somewhere in the North Island because I believe there is a big children's hospital in Auckland. I wonder if anyone can answer any of my questions please...


1. Where would the best area be to live taking into account hubby's job (i am looking for part time work doing anything) - I dont want to live in a big city and preferably close to a beach if at all possible, low crime and good schools would also be an issue
2.How good is the special needs help in schools?
3. Healthcare system - what is free and what is not?
4. House Prices - looking for a three bed property and will have around £60,000 to put down on a house, looking at spending no more than £100,000 if at all possible! will consider large 2 beds though

thank you for any help you can give me :D

Re: New and Need Advice
 

I think even in the current market you are gonna need to spend more than 100 grand on a house anywhere in reach of Auckland.

Starship hospital in Auckland is well regarded I think.

Re: New and Need Advice
 

Thanks.

I am not too bothered about being too close to Auckland as long as I can get there by car or train in a couple of hours or so as we'll be only going to the hospital five or six times a year at the most and can make a break away out of it.

Re: New and Need Advice
 

visit www.bayleys.co.nz this will give you a idea of house prices in all areas, The 100 Gs is I guess what you want to buy a house outright with, add another 200 grand to your 100. unless you want to live in a garden shed.

Re: New and Need Advice
 

Are you saying that you can't buy a non-shed house within a couple of hours of Auckland for less than 750,000 NZD? Or are you confusing the OPs GBP figure with NZD?

Re: New and Need Advice
 

I am hoping to buy a hour for about £100,000 which is about £237,000 nzd in the current exchange rate please tell me i will be able to buy something even if it is a two bedroomed house.

any other advice out there regarding my other questions as well?

Think I am looking to live in Hawkes Bay, probably Hastings I think.

How long does it take to cross the Island from one side to the other? top to bottom?

Re: New and Need Advice
 

You should be fine in the Hastings area for that kind of money - have a look on www.trademe.co.nz and also www.realestate.co.nz

I would also suggest you look at Tauranga - although you may struggle for a house as it is unfortunately one of the least affordable areas to live in comparison to wages - but you could try just outside of the city and beach areas and look for semi-rural.

It took me 4 hours from Hastings to Tauranga, so I would guess it'd be a good 5 hours to Auckland.

Re: New and Need Advice
 

Suggest you take a look at the NZ Auto Association website. They have a very good travel time calculator.

http://www.aa.co.nz/Pages/default.aspx

Re: New and Need Advice
 

Hi there. Have a look at Glenfield on the North Shore. It's a nice area with decent schools and about 20 mins off peak to Starship. You might even get a two bedroom house for under $300k (the street probably won't be so nice) but if you can stretch towards $350-$400k you can get a very nice property.