Calling all Wellingtonians!!! I am coming to town!!!

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Batman

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#15177 8-Aug-2007 11:51

Kiora to all you Wellington Geeks!

I am getting transferred to Wellington in December, unfortunately psychosocially i'm on my own. I've found that rentals are incredibly expensive. So, any suggestions on where is a good ('affordable' but has to be modern housing - can't stand turning on the heater and the driveway gets the heat while the occupants shiver, sunny, views, low crime, parks, family (toddler/kids), shopping, friendly neighbourhood -ie gang/drunk parties/vandalism free) place to live? Erm, mauricio, i'm not too fussed if there is no cable internet!

Looking at the wises map (i spend most of my time in Riddiford St and prefer to cycle to work, and may have some time at Lower Hutt - prefer to drive), Kelburn or its surroundings would suit? What do you think of the peninsula (strathmore area)?

Ok Thanks!

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#81559 8-Aug-2007 12:00

Kelburn is indeed a nice place... I can't say much because I haven't lived there myself, but it's close to town to bicycle or walk down - perhaps get the cable car up?

Nightwyrm

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#81563 8-Aug-2007 13:00

Haven't lived in Kelburn myself but instead in a neighbouring suburb - not much in the way of "modern" housing and, as that area doesn't get much afternoon sun (if at all), there's a good bit of dampness. But, really depends on which part you look at.

Eastern suburbs (Strathmore, etc.) aren't bad. There's a good range of housing quality but you do have the airport right there which puts some people off. Personally, when I lived out that way, you get accustomed to that noise pretty quickly.

For what it's worth, I reckon Northern suburbs are the best. Good quality house, good sun, etc. Cyclcing to Newtown could be a bit of a sod though I imagine.

IMHO, have a look at the houses in each of the areas on Open2View. That way you can get a sampling of what housing is like in the areas you prefer.

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Robz

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#81568 8-Aug-2007 13:15

I am in Island Bay (with kids) and we really enjoy it here, although a good southerly creates some interesting times in our back yard. It is an easy bike to Riddiford street from here and close enough to town for convenience. Our house is about 12 years old but a number of them are older over this way.

Batman

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#81674 9-Aug-2007 07:27

cool thanks guys, we will come early to 'see' wellington for ourselves and decide where we want to live :) perhaps even catch up who knows, geekzone should come up with a legal 'Patch' so you can recognise each other on the streets heh heh ... i've pm'd you mauricio about your residence ;p

Bung

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#85367 4-Sep-2007 20:42

lugh:
Eastern suburbs (Strathmore, etc.) aren't bad. There's a good range of housing quality but you do have the airport right there which puts some people off. Personally, when I lived out that way, you get accustomed to that noise pretty quickly.

For what it's worth, I reckon Northern suburbs are the best. Good quality house, good sun, etc. Cyclcing to Newtown could be a bit of a sod though I imagine.

Strathmore improved immensely as soon as Air New Zealand got rid of the original noisy 737s. As a resident I hardly notice the airport except as a view because the planes are basically coming from or going somewhere else. Go to a Northern suburb however and the damned things always seem to be droning overhead on the approach to the airport.

gished

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#85639 6-Sep-2007 17:02

Bung: Go to a Northern suburb however and the damned things always seem to be droning overhead on the approach to the airport.

The 6am Trans tasman flight is a good alternative to an alarm clock

(nah its not that bad by any stretch - plus its faster to the center of town than from Island bay or from the eastern 'burbs)

rwales

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#85640 6-Sep-2007 17:13

I live in Ngaio - it's a really nice area & surprisingly (my house is stuck on the side of a mountain), cable broadband is available. Very sunny, great views, parks & kid facilities (There's a pre-school & library within 5mins walk from my house). Shopping, not so great, but you have the essentials & in 15 minutes you can be in Wellington CBD by train. Having said that, I feel compelled to mention Tans Takeaway! That guy has actually received national press for the quality of his chips!

Haven't been here long enough to comment on crime (moved here in March 07). The house can get cold & does require a lot of heating (I have deployed electric/oil heaters everywhere - I like a really toasty house). Also, we suffer from maniac drivers. Aside from that, it's all good.

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gished

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#85663 6-Sep-2007 20:11

rwales:Having said that, I feel compelled to mention Tans Takeaway! That guy has actually received national press for the quality of his chips!

I second that place! There are a handful of supies around here so foods not that hard to find ie Crofton Downs and Khandallah. Also nearby is a Monteiths bar which isn't half bad

Batman

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#85682 6-Sep-2007 23:59

wonderful ya all! umh ... sounds like kandallah is a good place - i prefer newer houses as said, though half a million bucks is a lot of money to lose if they market comes crashing down! hmmm ... okay, thanks guys, i have a much better idea of things, and as usual, the more comments the merrier :)