North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Apr 16th 2019, 8:02 am
#46
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
I emigrated to NZ last year Auckland.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far.
Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife.
We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere.
Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK.
Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect.
It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live.
Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good.
You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening.
I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far.
Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife.
We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere.
Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK.
Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect.
It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live.
Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good.
You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening.
I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city.
Apr 16th 2019, 12:17 pm
#47
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
This will be of interested to Mr Rainbow74 
It is good fishing on the South Island.
Fish and Game licenses
It is good fishing on the South Island.
Fish and Game licenses
Apr 16th 2019, 12:36 pm
#48
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
I emigrated to NZ last year Auckland.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far.
Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife.
We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere.
Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK.
Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect.
It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live.
Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good.
You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening.
I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far.
Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife.
We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere.
Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK.
Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect.
It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live.
Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good.
You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening.
I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city.
We are quite remote people I guess, for example, I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded. I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice.
When I'm in Florida (Sarasota, Venice, Naples etc) , I avoid the busy beaches such as Siesta Key and find a quiet spot on Venice beach where it's quiet and peaceful. So I guess I am a person who likes her own company and whilst I haven't experienced NZ yet, I don't think the remotness is a huge concern for me (I know this can change when I visit).
My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest.
Apr 16th 2019, 2:14 pm
#49
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Funnily enough, Cardiff for me is only 20 minutes away or one stop on the train, but I can't think of anything worse than spending my time there shopping etc. The only time I visit the capital is when I have meetings there.
We are quite remote people I guess, for example, I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded. I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice.
When I'm in Florida (Sarasota, Venice, Naples etc) , I avoid the busy beaches such as Siesta Key and find a quiet spot on Venice beach where it's quiet and peaceful. So I guess I am a person who likes her own company and whilst I haven't experienced NZ yet, I don't think the remotness is a huge concern for me (I know this can change when I visit).
My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest.
We are quite remote people I guess, for example, I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded. I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice.
When I'm in Florida (Sarasota, Venice, Naples etc) , I avoid the busy beaches such as Siesta Key and find a quiet spot on Venice beach where it's quiet and peaceful. So I guess I am a person who likes her own company and whilst I haven't experienced NZ yet, I don't think the remotness is a huge concern for me (I know this can change when I visit).
My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest.
Apr 16th 2019, 9:18 pm
#50
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Posts: 38,611
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest.
Wakefield in the Nelson/Tasman area is a lively enough village. It would have that which you have described although I am not sure its eatery is open on a Monday or if it even opens of an evening. Businesses like this tend to open when they know there will be customers. Not on an off chance. Taverns for instance will be open all day and ready for the 6 o'clock Friday throng but be closed or finished by 9pm or earlier any other time. It is the usual old thing. Supply and demand.
Mapua also sounds like the type of place you envisage from what you write. However , like many places now it is turning from a small village into a small township. It has good weather and an enviable location. That means busy in summer - by NZ standards - but quieter during other seasons. Because of the people interest , cafes and eateries do tend to be open most of the week and of an evening.
Apr 17th 2019, 8:00 am
#51
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Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Nelson, NZ
Posts: 37
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Rainbow74 - as a former Ponty resident myself (I went to uni there) I can understand why weather is a consideration in your decision (hehe) Hubby is from Aberdare so know the area reasonably well - we were there over New Years (followed by a couple of weeks in Scotland) when we got back to NZ the kids claimed they couldn't remember what that bright thing in the sky was haha. I guess no one goes to Wales or Scotland in January for the weather (although secretly I quite liked it).
As a former local government employee (both UK and both Council's in the Nelson / Tasman area) and a resident of Wakefield - listed in BEVS post above, I'd be happy to provide comment if you want to PM me.
Apologies if my previous post was a bit gloomy - I'm in a slightly gloomy state of mind at present.
NZ is a lovely place in many ways and regardless of anyone elses opinion / experience you wont know whether it's for you until you actually live here and experience it all yourself.
As a former local government employee (both UK and both Council's in the Nelson / Tasman area) and a resident of Wakefield - listed in BEVS post above, I'd be happy to provide comment if you want to PM me.
Apologies if my previous post was a bit gloomy - I'm in a slightly gloomy state of mind at present.
NZ is a lovely place in many ways and regardless of anyone elses opinion / experience you wont know whether it's for you until you actually live here and experience it all yourself.
Apr 17th 2019, 7:30 pm
#52
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Okays. What is your definition of a small town or village. Also of eating out.
That sounds rural which will mean you drive everywhere. Do you mean space between houses though?
Wakefield in the Nelson/Tasman area is a lively enough village. It would have that which you have described although I am not sure its eatery is open on a Monday or if it even opens of an evening. Businesses like this tend to open when they know there will be customers. Not on an off chance. Taverns for instance will be open all day and ready for the 6 o'clock Friday throng but be closed or finished by 9pm or earlier any other time. It is the usual old thing. Supply and demand.
Mapua also sounds like the type of place you envisage from what you write. However , like many places now it is turning from a small village into a small township. It has good weather and an enviable location. That means busy in summer - by NZ standards - but quieter during other seasons. Because of the people interest , cafes and eateries do tend to be open most of the week and of an evening.
That sounds rural which will mean you drive everywhere. Do you mean space between houses though?
Wakefield in the Nelson/Tasman area is a lively enough village. It would have that which you have described although I am not sure its eatery is open on a Monday or if it even opens of an evening. Businesses like this tend to open when they know there will be customers. Not on an off chance. Taverns for instance will be open all day and ready for the 6 o'clock Friday throng but be closed or finished by 9pm or earlier any other time. It is the usual old thing. Supply and demand.
Mapua also sounds like the type of place you envisage from what you write. However , like many places now it is turning from a small village into a small township. It has good weather and an enviable location. That means busy in summer - by NZ standards - but quieter during other seasons. Because of the people interest , cafes and eateries do tend to be open most of the week and of an evening.
With regards to houses, yes, just some space between us. We have a very private garden where we live with trees dividing us from a large farm house. I don't want to be so close you can hear what the others are talking about it that makes sense.
I know I set Monday as my example but we do tend to prefer a weeknight rather than of a weekend. I'm probably sounding like a right freak with my wishlist!
Apr 18th 2019, 9:21 am
#53
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Sounds just like my little town in Otago
Last edited by Justcol; Apr 18th 2019 at 11:05 am.
Apr 18th 2019, 12:30 pm
#54
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Lovely 😁
Apr 20th 2019, 6:36 am
#55
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
That's beautiful Justcol!
The only thing I add to this thread for the original posters is as an Aussie living in Christchurch for the second time, I burn very fast and quick in Nz. I am dark haired and fair skinned and have always had to be careful, but it can scorch here! I moved from the Gold coast earlier this year and it was hotter on chch than the goldie!
I'm usee to heat but the sun I really have to watch.
Michelle )
The only thing I add to this thread for the original posters is as an Aussie living in Christchurch for the second time, I burn very fast and quick in Nz. I am dark haired and fair skinned and have always had to be careful, but it can scorch here! I moved from the Gold coast earlier this year and it was hotter on chch than the goldie!
I'm usee to heat but the sun I really have to watch.
Michelle )
Apr 26th 2019, 4:35 pm
#56
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
PLEASE don't miss South island out. As for temperature my mate in Owaka (look it up - Further south than Invercargill 
) saw 30 degrees this summer!
) saw 30 degrees this summer!
Apr 27th 2019, 11:28 am
#57
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Being on the east coast Owaka will get different weather from Invercargil. Most of our south Island weather comes in from the west and fiordland and the southern alps play a huge part in what we get. Take Alexandra for example, its the hottest and driest town in the country and only 2 hours north of invercargil. I'm an hour out of Alex and my weather is nothing like
either Invers, Owaka or Alex. Its even massively different from Milton which is only 30km away.
Apr 27th 2019, 12:06 pm
#58
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Its a close call to say Owaka is further south than Invers
Being on the east coast Owaka will get different weather from Invercargil. Most of our south Island weather comes in from the west and fiordland and the southern alps play a huge part in what we get. Take Alexandra for example, its the hottest and driest town in the country and only 2 hours north of invercargil. I'm an hour out of Alex and my weather is nothing like
either Invers, Owaka or Alex. Its even massively different from Milton which is only 30km away.
Being on the east coast Owaka will get different weather from Invercargil. Most of our south Island weather comes in from the west and fiordland and the southern alps play a huge part in what we get. Take Alexandra for example, its the hottest and driest town in the country and only 2 hours north of invercargil. I'm an hour out of Alex and my weather is nothing like
either Invers, Owaka or Alex. Its even massively different from Milton which is only 30km away.
Agreed on all points but most Brits won't have realised just how different the topography, climate and vegetation can be over short distances in South Island.
Apr 28th 2019, 8:46 am
#59
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Apr 28th 2019, 10:49 am
#60
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
We'll be grazing livestock of some sort (we are beef breeders here) but we're also interested in Manuka honey and have a mad idea of trying to grow coffee beans as well.
It's the better lifestyle we are really after. I'll also look to convert my uk PPL (H) to a NZ one and fly.