Jobry01

Had the chance to move to Rotorua, I have a feeling this may crop up again
Could anyone give me info re the good areas to look at houses where to avoid
Plus just general what's good what isn't about the town and surrounding area
thanks

RobDon

We live here and we love it!
Lots has been said about the smell here but its only an issue in one or two places in town, and when certain weather conditions prevail.
As you probably know there is a high Maori population here, consequently there are a lots of traditional tourist attractions.
Rotorua is classed as a city but in reality the population is around 40,000 in the immediate lake area but nearer 60,000 including the surrounding areas.
Depending on where you are coming from Rotorua may appear to quiet, but it is a tourist destination first and foremost.

What line of work are you in? Do you have family? What kind of location are you looking for? What kind of lifestyle are you looking for?

Dont hesitate to PM us if you want more detailed info.

Justcol

Roto-Vegas !!

Sorry but it smells, or it has done every time i've been

UKNZAUS

It's not THAT bad. Maybe if you've got your head over a mudpool or the like. You get used to the smell and don't notice it after a while.

My friend once told me (before we went) that if you imagine the smelliest fart ever, and multiply it by a lot, that is what it smells like... it's rubbish! It isn't that bad, unless you have an incredible sense of smell I love it there

Edited to add: She is very 'posh' (she likes to think) so I think that explains her reaction

Gill and Rob

Ha Ha ....trade secret.... the council has the smell specially manufactured for the tourists. As a local we can't smell it.

Gill and Rob

mwhite1962

Hi,
I personally cannot smell the sulfur but my OH can so its not a problem to me.
We came to Rotorua because its where my OH got her job and if we had the choice at the time we would have gone to Northlands, but we didnt get a choice, so here we are, and we love it, we had never been here before, Hamilton was the closest we got but at this time i dont think there would be anywhere i'd rather be.
I dont know what sort of things you like doing, but if you dont find something here to suit then your not looking hard enough especially if your sport minded?
There are a few nice areas to live and it all depends how much you willing to pay, obviously the exchange rate is not helping, but the house we have plus the location would have been a distant dream in the UK, look on trademe .co.nz or realestate.co.nz for a guide price and you will be ableto work the more sort after areas.

Good luck

DeadVim

Spam, spam, spam, spam ...

kato33

Hi,

I have lived here for just over 3 years now with the OH and the kids....took us time to settle in NZ and feel our way through the workforce but felt right at home in Rotorua immediately, wouldn't live anywhere else at the mo.
Fantastic place with some really good people.
Come join us, you'll love it!!!

waikatoguy

And she still said 'fart'?

waikatoguy

I guess we should explain to people who stumble onto this thread wondering what everyone is talking about with the Rotorua smell. It has a sulpher smell due to it being in a volcanic area with bubbling hot mudpools and geisers etc.

luvwelly

Well I always take visitors from the UK there as I think the volcanic stuff is interesting to see and not found back home BUT they always complain about the smell...a lot.

Snazishaz

Airdrie versus Rotorua, apart from the smell i know which i would choose, like others said i think once you live there your sence of smell gets used to it. As a visitor its hard to adjust, but hey apart from that its ok, good luck !

Debbie2NZ

Visited there once and had a nice time. Yes it smells. My Scottish mother in law (emigrated to NZ in 1966) calls it Rottenrua after a rainy and smelly camping holiday there back in the 1970's. For me, it was no worse that the sulphur smell you sometimes get when you cook hard boiled eggs. Even then it just comes in occasional wafts. Beautiful rock pools/hot pools and a an amzing geyzer. The Waimangu Valley is interesting too.

UKNZAUS

She didn't actually... that's my Northern side slipping out I think she said 'wind'. She is a modern Hyacinth Bucket

Justcol

On the plus side, Redwoods is just 2 minutes away and its beautiful there.