What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Location of friends and family?
Geography?
Job availability?
Climate?

For us, we were hoping more for Auckland as it's a bigger city and warmer, but as we've got to know more about Wellington after we realised there would be far more job opportunities (in IT) for me there, the more we got to prefer the idea of moving to Wellington. The views I've seen of the harbour have particularly stunned me. More than the Auckland harbour (Aucklanders, don't kill me! :p ), for me anyway.

The South Island hasn't 'called' to us at all, just too remote. While we are still within striking distance of Chicago where we are, we do like to be on the very edge (best of both worlds).

If all goes well, we might well end up in Lower Hutt. :)

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

I'm an airline worker so it had to be Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, for the same career. Auckland was too much like the big city, which is what we wanted to get away from. Wellington too rainy and windy (and it is, as we have alot of cancelled flights due to bad weather there). I didn't particularly want to go to the south island but the more I read up on Christchurch the more I liked it. It has a beach, and the mountains for snow in the winter..it has the least rainfall and its not too big. I have found it to be just what we wanted. I got a job within a couple of weeks of looking and hubby is happy where he is with his job. Schools are great - so all in all Christchurch was the perfect choice for us....

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

We wanted to come to Auckland because of work mostly, and although I haven't been to Wellington, the weather is generally colder down there and we wanted a slightly warmer climate. We live outside the city but its only a 15/20 minute drive away. We went a couple of weeks ago for a night out and I had forgotten how lovely it is, I am talking about the Viaduct, harbour area. It was stunning in the early evening light.
I have only been to Christchurch for a few hours but it looked beautiful, a bit English actually. Probably due to the cathederal, river and tram.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Your right it is...but its not too in your face... :)

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Hubby's from Wellington (Upper Hutt) and we were initially going there but then his family all moved to Auckland and it seemed a bit silly (at the time :rolleyes: ) to travel 12,000 miles and still be a day's drive away from them. WHAT were we thinking???? :D I love Auckland though. I agree with Jude - it's a fantastic city at night.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

We live near Auckland as thats where OH's job is. I've no doubt that if we had the choice to live anywhere in NZ we wouldve travelled around and probably not ended up in Auckland.

However, we do like it here and we love Beachlands. It has a lovely village community friendly feel to it and we have some stunning views from around here. It seems a nice place to live.... we're ok here for now. :D

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Didn't like Auckland but OH's job was in Auckland. He doesn't mind the drive.
Liked Cambridge and surrounds as quite horsey!
Have friends here too.
We'd like better weather but we'd also like to be nearer the coast. It's nice and rural here but jobs are plentiful. Saying that, we;re a bit 'over' NZ. It's pleasant but it's a bit 'ordinary'.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Work was the decider for us. I wanted to work in forensic mental health nursing and it seems to be quite a narrow field in NZ. I took the first job I was offered and hoped for the best. Thankfully, I have found the job to be OK. Overall, pleased with how it has turned out so far (been here a month today!)... Hamilton is more of a large town that a city so that suits me very well as I never wanted to be part of the inner city rat-race or to bring my daughter up in that manner. At some point in the future I would love to live on the coast but it isn't a burning issue right now.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

It's funny cos Hammy is like a big town yet it's the largest inland city in NZ. Not a bad place though.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

the largest inland city in NZ.

Hi there mummomonty, I hadn't realised that. I like what I've seen so far :)
OK if I PM you about riding lessons rather than hijack the thread?

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

[QUOTE=karonious]Work was the decider for us. I wanted to work in forensic mental health nursing and it seems to be quite a narrow field in NZ. QUOTE]

My hubby also works in forensic mhn, there is a big mental health service here in Wellington and it's expanding. With 60% of staff brits, they all get on well and have some good nights out. If you fancy a change of area jut let me know.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Does anyone know what Dunedin is like?

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Fffffff ..... freezing in winter coupled with severe Scottish architecture.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

My hubby also works in forensic mhn, there is a big mental health service here in Wellington and it's expanding. With 60% of staff brits, they all get on well and have some good nights out. If you fancy a change of area jut let me know.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that Dee, I will certainly bear it in mind for the future, but seems OK here so far :)

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Tell me something nice about it PLEASE

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

'Dunedin is notable now as centre for ecotourism. Uniquely, the world's only mainland Royal Albatross colony and several penguin and seal colonies lie within the city boundaries on Otago Peninsula.
A very strong visual arts community also lives in Dunedin and its environs.
Sport is catered for in Dunedin by the floodlit rugby and cricket venue of Carisbrook, a soccer and athletics stadium (the New Caledonian Ground) near the University at Logan Park, the large Edgar Centre indoor sports centre, and numerous golf courses and parks. There is also a horseracing circuit in the south of the city (Forbury Park), and several others within a few kilometres. Saint Clair Beach, on the city's Pacific shore, is a well-known surfing venue.
The climate of central Dunedin is cool temperate, and is greatly modified by its proximity to the ocean. This leads to warm summers and cool winters'.
Straight from Wikepedia (sp) but I have no doubt you knew that!! However, it is positive :D

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Job availability,scenery,airport,proximity to both islands,Poppets,Cottage, and Valentines in Lower Hutt! :D

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

danny donna,
how did medicals go

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Eileen-how's it going?
4 of us it was plain sailing,for 1 fat bastar*,it was a shaky,stroke-inducing 20 mins of hell. My waist is too big,my blood pressure high,my feet too ugly,eyes too puffy,my knees too old,my wife and kids too pretty,my poo too pooey!
Waist had to be smaller than 103 cms,it was 105-with a squeeze,my BP eventually dropped to 140/85,but she cheated,and I had to have,and pay for 2 extra sample of blood-so you could sayfor 7-10 days,we're holding our breath. Bugger. Been dead good too. :(

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

:scared: the poo bit. they dont do they?
im trying to convince my daughter about blood test. cant imagine how she,ll take that 1.
and me :eek:
apart from that,fingers crossed for yous
i sent yous an e-mail asking how they went.
by god they medicals certainly sound thorough,
oops ive just remembered ive to go back for blood test with my own doctor in jan,as my sugar levels were up in july. :(
bloody hate needles too.
well danny and gang
take care
eileen

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

We came over, took my job interviews, got offered the jobs, then decided we didn't want to live where the job offers were.
We're coming and living where we liked best. :)

Jobs please....

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

you are such a sweetheart xxxxxx :beer: :)

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

"Scarfies" a NZ made film by NZ film-makers, the Sarkies brothers - is about Dunedin students - should be available on video/dvd as received awards/accolades in independent film circles - would give you an interesting introduction to Dunedin.

There are acres of low budget student housing - all of which seem to have Sally Army sofas on the front porch - to soak up the evening sun and the beer.

I also saw my first "dog-wash" alongside a central Dunedin car-wash - similar to a large fish tank with one long side hinged - to get the dog in - and a shower head at one end - top of tank at human armpit height, so you could shower dog without getting soaked, either while showering or during post showering shaking session. I was immensely impressed!!

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Oh you sweet talker you.... but fancy lumping us in with Valentines - don't tell me you're into quantity rather than quality....

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Hi,

We live in Invercargill which is the furthest south you can get on the South Island. Many people on this site really gave Invercargill the thumbs down. It was said to be remote, freezing and " the ar**hole of NZ" ( a quote from the Rolling Stones in the 60`s because they could not find anywhere to buy cigarettes on a Sunday !! )

We chose it as we both had secure job offers and did not want to live or work in any big city environment after spending years commuting to London.

Well, we have been here over 9 months and love the place. We have been offered opportunities to move away with work but have settled well here.

The winter was very mild compared to the UK. We know the summer weather is not going to be as good as the North but we say leave that weather to the sun gods, if they love it let them have it !!

It is a very friendly place, when we arrived the neigbours came out from everywhere to offer us furniture and help until our container arrived. There are no traffic jams. I hardly drive at all as I can walk anywhere around town.

You are within 2 hours of the Lakes and Queenstown, Fiordland and the Catlins.

OK, Invercargill may not be everyone`s cup of tea but we love it.

Enclosed are some photos .....just to prove the sun shines here !!
( 1,2 +3 our house 4, the lakes 5, us at a Proms night !)

Taff and Debs.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Thanks for the positive reply. We are coming over the end of the month and we originally were supposed to go to ChCh, but OH employer mentioned Dunedin first. Is your home rented or bought, whats it like for kids there (14 & 10 years old). What are schools like? Sorry about all the questions, we only made our minds up to come the middle of Sept. and now 6 weeks on we are actually coming FOR GOOD!!!! :scared: .

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

You could try and find something on Seek's NZ website.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Wow what a beautiful area! And your house is very lovely. :)

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

Hi

We have bought here but rentals are easy to find.. It depends where you want to live as that will affect the house prices and schools.

We bought in a good area of town, near to shops and schools. Our 4 bedroom character house cost us $250K ( under £100k ) We are busy upgrading the interior to our liking.

Taff

PS More pictures of Dunedin and surrounding area.

Re: What prompted your choice of area to live in?
 

One hand and a PIN..... :)