Deley

Hi,
My partner has been offered a job with company based in Pukekohe. I would be grateful if anyone can advise of which areas would be a good area to look for property to rent. The information we have been given up to now was to avoid south of Auckland but it seems a long way to commute to Pukekohe, so any information on which areas are nice and where to avoid would be very appreciated. We have two children age 7 and 8 so schools are a big consideration.
Also, if anyone can advise what standard of living to expect with a family of 4and a joint income of One hundred thousand NZ dollars??????

Many thanks in advance.

luvwelly

Don't know the area at all but would suggest you search for high decile schools (consider senior as well) and then choose a commute and then a rental property based on that.
Google shows that Pukekohe High School has a decile of 6 (1 is lowest/most disadvantaged, 10 is highest.

http://www.tki.org.nz/Schools

Also Ofsted equivalent is ERO: http://www.ero.govt.nz/

Rentals are on TradeMe.

simonmarkellis

By South of Auckland, areas to avoid you're probably looking at places immediately South, like Papatoetoe and Manukau, which i am lead to believe are a bit ruff around the edges... A little further south probably wouldn't be so bad... Papakura or even Pukekohe itself...

Though anywhere is really going to depend on what you're after in your life down here... There's probably not a lot between Pukekohe and Hamilton.

Pukekohe isn't hicksville, it's got all the ammenities, even a cinema now i believe...

My sister does live there, though that may be a reason not to move there... not sure...

Bo-Jangles

To be hoest there's stuff all near to Pukekohe and if I worked there I would probably be looking to live thereabouts too.

In terms of driving time at peak hours the centre of Hamilton is as viable option for commuting as the centre of Auckland so you have a vast are to cover with not much choice really of places you'd want to be. There's a sign 100km to Hamilton on the motorway coming southbound as you reach Drury, so you're looking at being about an hour away if you chose somewhere on Northern perimeter of Hamilton.

You could look at Huntly but honestly don't think it would tick many expat boxes. Some of the newer townships South Auckland - Wattle Cove and the likes might score highly on the expat lifestyle factors if big modern McMansions would be your thing or Onehunga if leafier old avenues and villas are more your style.

It's a case of you have to be there to see what it's like and short term let would be the best option untill you've seen it and tried it for size.

Robbo25

The area is perfectly fine.

I stayed for a couple of months in Takanini and there are some great residential areas and also some near water for little money. With the decile rating for schools, it can sometimes be better to have one that isn't a 10, as this means that school will get a lot more funding put into it and your voluntary contribution will be lower too.

Deley

Thank you so much for your replies with information and links, they are really helpful and very much appreciated.

Robbo25, you mentioned some areas near the water which are reasonably priced for housing, can you tell me the names of the areas which you are referring to?

Thank you everyone

Robbo25

Have a look around Conifer Grove, Clarks Beach as examples

Bo-Jangles

There's Karaka Lakes, I had a brochure a while back but was a touch out of my league ; they didn't have anything less than five bedroom places.

http://www.karaka-lakes.co.nz/visit-us/

Bo-Jangles

Was mentioned elsewhere recently about the covenents on some of these newer 'executive' type properties. Some of them are a bit Stepford Wives; Karaka lakes even specify a minimum of two trees and the washing must not be visible from the road. It's all for show at the streetfront and I bet the rear gardens are near to non-existent

http://www.karaka-lakes.co.nz/files/...nants_2012.pdf

Bo-Jangles

You mght find some useful ratings for suburbs here with links to Wikipedia blurbs where available:

http://www.auckland-suburb-guide.co.nz/

waikatoguy

Have you looked at Te Kauwhata? About 30-40 minutes South on main highway from Pukekohe. Quite rural, lifestyle blocks etc about 1000 or so population. A guy who got 25 or so million in Lotto lives there. Lol.
As Bo-J mentioned, lots of nice areas around Karaka. That is South of South Auckland, about 15-20 mins from Pukekohe but there are a lot of upmarket areas. There are also plenty of good areas in South Auckland itself.

RedDragon2008

I used too commute from Bucklands Beach to Puke many years ago before the roads were upgraded. Also used to from Hamilton to Pt Chev, but thats another story.

There are still lots of good places in South Auckland - but budget will narrow options.

How about Botanical Gardens near/north of Manurewa (or Hill Park/Nathan Homestead).

RedDragon2008

Thats a name from the past

2nd to that recommendation

waikatoguy

What about Pukekohe itself. It doesn't seem a bad town?? Rentals would be cheaper anyway.

RedDragon2008

Dont have much knowledge on the schools?