What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

I know we haven't yet started the immigration process (waiting to attend the Expo at end of month) but we really like the look of Dunedin.

Anyone recommend living / working there? My OH would be in IT. I work in local govt at the moment but would take any admin type of job.

Any suburbs you would recommomend near to a good school (12yr old boy - preferably co-ed school)? Are there any areas to avoid? etc.. :)

Thanks,


Marion

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

The coed high schools are Kaikorai, Logan Park and Bayfield. [/url] Sorry, I forgot the Catholic school: Kavanagh is also coed.

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Don't know yet but will be able to tell you after 4th July as that is when we arrive there! We are looking at Waverley/Vauxhall ( would like kids to go to Grants Braes school);Anderson's Bay;St Clair and Musselburgh. I will be working at Dunedin Hospital, OH will look once we have been there a couple of months and settled the boys in. Have friends there which will help.

Phyl x

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Well we have been here for 4 years and Dunners rocks, here is a pic of Dunedin from The Settlers veiwpoint





http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...nJuly17005.jpg

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

And yes it does snow in NZ, we get some in town every now and then, and this is the view of our road in snow time, kids love it !!





http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../June07020.jpg

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

And if any of you are looking at moving to Dunedin, just ask if you need a lift from airport, as i can usualy arrange to pick people up if they want .

Dunedin has every thing you need from a city (village) i call it, hardly any traffic problems, ease of getting around, affordable houses, good schools, wildlife on your doorstep, deserted beaches, surf, access to countryside 10mins away, all the shops you need, peoiple who do not do the "jones's" thing, outdoor persuits , skiing about 3 1/2 hrs away, Rain forests down the road, and if we get the new stadium, concerts, big time sports events, come without the rose coloured glasses, and forget UK, it will take at least 2-3 years to feel and get really settled , come enjoy, Dunedin has it all. One thing i would suggest to all who come here, NZ is cold in winter, the houses are not insulated, even some new ones are crap, there is no mains gas, so no gas central heating, keep money aside for heating and insulation, hardly any houses have double glazing, wood fires are very common and lovely heat, logs in your garden for winter heat, keep at least $3-4k to maybe upgrade the houses heating system or install a air con heat pump.

Make sure your house gets plenty of sun, especially in winter, free heat, it may have gorgeous views, but there are parets of Dunedin that get no winter sun and for 3 months of the year, frozen areas and houses even harder to heat.

Any more advise on Dunners ask away or Southerner will be able to help as well, loads of ex pats in Dunedin.

Remember we have done the move, fallen in the odd pitfall, but we can help others with their move, and help them settle in, thats if you want the help ?? lol

Good luck, Nige, Dunedin May 05

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Dunedin sunrise, awesome





http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...ary2006032.jpg





Different view of Dunedin





http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...h/PICT0085.jpg







The beaches are usually deserted, but watch out for the rocks that move !!






http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...romoana019.jpg

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Thanks everyone.

I forgot you were moving there Phyl.

Wow - there are some fab photos there. We have passed through Dunedin and visited Larnach Castle (call that a castle!! Try having a look at some of our ones :D) We were only there for a few hours and the weather was not too bad, but then it WAS March!

I had heard it was a bit cold in the winter right enough. So we will have to factor that in! I have seen a few things on this forum about the winter lasting for up to 6 months! That's a bit scary. Hope that was a one off year!!!

It's all pie in the sky at the moment but I thought we should have an idea of where we want to live before we get the hundreds of job offers that we are going to get at the expo :rofl:

Definitely like the look of Dunedin.

We certainly would like help from you guys so we will keep you posted if that's ok?!



Marion

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Not a problem,

The weather anywhere in NZ can be changable, but if your looking to move for better weather then nowhere in the world is safe from that, we can get 4 seasons in one day, and then one day its hot and the next its cold, got to be better weather here than drizzle like UK? we get nice sunny days in NZ in winter, its when the cloud is over and no sun thats when it gets cold, soon as the sun goes in or drops behind a hill brr, thats why we buy our firewood well in advance, get it nice and dry and seasoned, then we are toasty all winter, winter is supposed to last 3 months, but can go a wee bit longer.

One thing is for sure we would rather be here in Dunedin than miserable in Poole Dorset, went back there this Christmas and the place looked bleak and the people down trodden, yuk.

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Know what you mean about Castles lol this is one near our old home town of Poole, this is one of the best Norman castles in UK, Corfe Castle, a place we used to visit often on the way to Swanage, priceless.





http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...ole2008043.jpg

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Downtrodden? - that looks fab...that pic encapsulates the difference between NZ and UK. To be fair Dunedin has better European-style architecture than most NZ small towns

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Now THAT'S what I would call a castle!!

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

Been there, not bad, but THIS is a castle!

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

HI Phyl!

Good luck with your move in July! Is it ok as I see you going to be working in Dunedin Hospital. Am a nurse aswell and have Tonix calling me today about working over in Nz.

cheers, Isobelle

Re: What is Dunedin like to live / work in?
 

You're right Browner. That is DEFINITELY an impressive castle. Some of our lovely Scottish ones are pretty amazing too ;)