welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
Oct 23rd 2007, 11:30 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Miramar - Wellington
Posts: 116
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
Are you guys considering renting when you come over here initally?
Its really worth getting a feel for the place first, we visited various areas when we stayed with my partners sister and there were a couple of locations that kept drawing us back - Miramar and Lyall Bay. We have sea views of Lyall Bay, airport and Evans Bay and is only about 4 mins to the nearest beach (by car).
If you were considering renting to begin with, there are downsides, if you come over Dec/Jan it is an absoloute nightmare trying to find something as they are so much in demand its ridiculous. They also have a tendancy to try and tie you in to a years contract during that period (more so in the city and surrounding suburbs), however if you find a rental off-peak, they will review your contract every few months.
You will be able to get a nice property with your budget, but agree, houses just are'nt the same as the UK.
Its really worth getting a feel for the place first, we visited various areas when we stayed with my partners sister and there were a couple of locations that kept drawing us back - Miramar and Lyall Bay. We have sea views of Lyall Bay, airport and Evans Bay and is only about 4 mins to the nearest beach (by car).
If you were considering renting to begin with, there are downsides, if you come over Dec/Jan it is an absoloute nightmare trying to find something as they are so much in demand its ridiculous. They also have a tendancy to try and tie you in to a years contract during that period (more so in the city and surrounding suburbs), however if you find a rental off-peak, they will review your contract every few months.
You will be able to get a nice property with your budget, but agree, houses just are'nt the same as the UK.
Oct 23rd 2007, 11:53 pm
#17
Winter hibernator
Joined: May 2007
Location: Miramar - Wellington - North Island - New Zealand
Posts: 779
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
Hey, you live in Miramar too !!!!! 
Eastbourne, although nice, is a bit isolated IMO. No big shops (Woolworths, Pac&Sav etc) so you will need to travel into Petone/ Lower Hutt for weekly shopping.
Ferry crossing sounds nice but look at today and see if you enjoy it as much. There is a bus service or you could drive into town if thats where you will be working. Approx 20min drive into town off peak
As a "local", I looked at Eastbourne where you go out for a day trip. But you might like it.
Eastbourne, although nice, is a bit isolated IMO. No big shops (Woolworths, Pac&Sav etc) so you will need to travel into Petone/ Lower Hutt for weekly shopping.
Ferry crossing sounds nice but look at today and see if you enjoy it as much. There is a bus service or you could drive into town if thats where you will be working. Approx 20min drive into town off peak
As a "local", I looked at Eastbourne where you go out for a day trip. But you might like it.
Oct 24th 2007, 12:06 pm
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Nelson Bays/Abel Tasman NZ- my Utopia
Posts: 632
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
Hey, you live in Miramar too !!!!!
Eastbourne, although nice, is a bit isolated IMO. No big shops (Woolworths, Pac&Sav etc) so you will need to travel into Petone/ Lower Hutt for weekly shopping.
Ferry crossing sounds nice but look at today and see if you enjoy it as much. There is a bus service or you could drive into town if thats where you will be working. Approx 20min drive into town off peak
As a "local", I looked at Eastbourne where you go out for a day trip. But you might like it.
Eastbourne, although nice, is a bit isolated IMO. No big shops (Woolworths, Pac&Sav etc) so you will need to travel into Petone/ Lower Hutt for weekly shopping.
Ferry crossing sounds nice but look at today and see if you enjoy it as much. There is a bus service or you could drive into town if thats where you will be working. Approx 20min drive into town off peak
As a "local", I looked at Eastbourne where you go out for a day trip. But you might like it.
As for commuting by boat it's great! Even 'Big soft Jessies' get to enjoy it. A good adrenalin boost at the start of the day. Has to be a gale for the ferry to be cancelled and if it is, a private bus is laid on.
The lack of 'big' shops is another plus. results in lack of traffic- lack of noise- lack of pollution- lack of crowds. But hey this is only MHO.
Maybe it's good that not all people choose Eastbourne as it has just about reached saturation (decent lot size) in recent years.
Sub-division is taking place in Days Bay with a lot of residential development going on Days Bay is a real tourist hot spot with all the added pressures in holidays/ weekends. Eastbourne has a much greater community spirit. OK Enough. Each to his own. It has its downsides.
Think small parochial uk rural town/village. WI. genteel elderly stock from original settlers. Lots of professionals settled here in past. Lorra-lorra Nouveau riche . 2x 4 WD. Mixture of socio- economic make up. Becoming more and more out of reach of ordinary folk due to inflated house prices.
Some seem to be living in cloud cuckoo land.
$730000 for 2 bed 1 bath wooden 'cottage' on main road 'Marine Drive'
very small plot. Any offers?
Oct 25th 2007, 1:58 pm
#19
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
It's the 'isolation' aspect that makes it such a great place for raising a family. Hardly any crime petty or otherwise - so easy to close the road- nowhere for the 'scallies to run'. Difficult to escape through bush- few attempt to flee by sea!
As for commuting by boat it's great! Even 'Big soft Jessies' get to enjoy it. A good adrenalin boost at the start of the day. Has to be a gale for the ferry to be cancelled and if it is, a private bus is laid on.
The lack of 'big' shops is another plus. results in lack of traffic- lack of noise- lack of pollution- lack of crowds. But hey this is only MHO.
Maybe it's good that not all people choose Eastbourne as it has just about reached saturation (decent lot size) in recent years.
Sub-division is taking place in Days Bay with a lot of residential development going on Days Bay is a real tourist hot spot with all the added pressures in holidays/ weekends. Eastbourne has a much greater community spirit. OK Enough. Each to his own. It has its downsides.
Think small parochial uk rural town/village. WI. genteel elderly stock from original settlers. Lots of professionals settled here in past. Lorra-lorra Nouveau riche . 2x 4 WD. Mixture of socio- economic make up. Becoming more and more out of reach of ordinary folk due to inflated house prices.
Some seem to be living in cloud cuckoo land.
$730000 for 2 bed 1 bath wooden 'cottage' on main road 'Marine Drive'
very small plot. Any offers?
As for commuting by boat it's great! Even 'Big soft Jessies' get to enjoy it. A good adrenalin boost at the start of the day. Has to be a gale for the ferry to be cancelled and if it is, a private bus is laid on.
The lack of 'big' shops is another plus. results in lack of traffic- lack of noise- lack of pollution- lack of crowds. But hey this is only MHO.
Maybe it's good that not all people choose Eastbourne as it has just about reached saturation (decent lot size) in recent years.
Sub-division is taking place in Days Bay with a lot of residential development going on Days Bay is a real tourist hot spot with all the added pressures in holidays/ weekends. Eastbourne has a much greater community spirit. OK Enough. Each to his own. It has its downsides.
Think small parochial uk rural town/village. WI. genteel elderly stock from original settlers. Lots of professionals settled here in past. Lorra-lorra Nouveau riche . 2x 4 WD. Mixture of socio- economic make up. Becoming more and more out of reach of ordinary folk due to inflated house prices.
Some seem to be living in cloud cuckoo land.
$730000 for 2 bed 1 bath wooden 'cottage' on main road 'Marine Drive'
very small plot. Any offers?
Oct 25th 2007, 8:19 pm
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Nelson Bays/Abel Tasman NZ- my Utopia
Posts: 632
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
hi jennifer 45....thanks for the insight....lived on the south island with nouveau riche and don't want it again,we are fine financially but are down to earth so want good schools,community feel for the kids,lots of local sport inc sail clubs,within 20-25 mins of shopping and things to do in wellington...want to be near beach as we were on south island,not too isolated....need space in house as we were spoilt in north america when we were there,so i guess will do homework via realenz and on this website...cheers
Wellington is a short commute from Nelson/Motueka -so that's where we old wrinklies will be heading.
Hope we both find our 'nirvana'.
Oct 25th 2007, 8:41 pm
#21
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Papakowhai, New Zealand
Posts: 314
Re: welly..advice needed on good area to live...must have good schools
hi jennifer 45....thanks for the insight....lived on the south island with nouveau riche and don't want it again,we are fine financially but are down to earth so want good schools,community feel for the kids,lots of local sport inc sail clubs,within 20-25 mins of shopping and things to do in wellington...want to be near beach as we were on south island,not too isolated....need space in house as we were spoilt in north america when we were there,so i guess will do homework via realenz and on this website...cheers
I love the place but we couldn't really afford to buy there.
You would be able to get a nice place for the budget you mentioned and be very near the beach, boat club, small parade of shops, restaurants, dairy, GP's, school, railway station - need I go on??! Cambourne, Paremata or Papakowhai (but it's getting a bit full of expats now!! 
) might suit your needs too! Google is your friend!
