Why do you live there?

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#1692557 20-Dec-2016 07:32

I grew up in Canada, worked there a while as an adult and now reside in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. I've been in NZ for about 20 years. We moved here partly because my mother-in-law recommended it and because I didn't want to move to China or any other non-English speaking country. I was offered a job here in the central North Island and took it.

I like the climate and lifestyle here but we did take quite an income and savings hit in the move (also sold our house in Canada). We picked the Bay to move to because we like it. Sometimes I regret the move from Canada because I miss my relatives and the smell of the forests, autumn and other childhood memories but then I just remind myself of the snow. If I had the choice of locations in NZ I'd still pick here but I'd be a bit more careful on where I bought a house... I'm in a tsunami and potential flood zone, but the location is ideal in so many other ways!

trig42

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#1692574 20-Dec-2016 08:44

I grew up on Waiheke Island. My parents moved there in 1975 for teaching jobs. I was nearly 3 at the time, so don't remember living anywhere else.

My wife and I (she has been living on Waiheke since the mid-80s) moved to Napier in 2006. No reason for it, we wanted a change and knew a couple of people in Napier. We got jobs easily there and loved it. Friendly city and great climate!

On a visit back to Waiheke about 4 years later, my wife got offered a job there and we packed up and moved back (within about 6 weeks I think). I transferred my Napier job to Auckland (they were coincidentally just starting franschises in Auckland at the time). We were lucky enough to be able to buy a house back on Waiheke before the prices went mad. I commute to the City everyday (and quite enjoy the commute - I work on the Shore, so am going against traffic morning and night).

Waiheke is my home, and I'm glad we are back there. It has change A LOT in the last 40 years (even in the last 10), but I can't see us moving any time soon (though we still own a house in Napier, so never say never - I do think it is a great part of this country).

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#1692577 20-Dec-2016 08:51

Grew up in Christchurch, can't afford to leave. I like that the city is gruff and largely asocial, no-one feels the need to know you or get in yoir business. Does make convincing the neighbours not to be pricks rather impossible though. Other than that it's a poop hole. Worst part for me is my bus commute - 60~90minutes for what would be a 20minute drive. But I'd need a new job to afford to run a car, and I couldn't handle more labour or having to think/deal with people all day so it's a moot point.

If I could I'd live in the middle of no-where with great internet and a job that didn't require me to interact with anyome.

Orsomosaurus

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#1692653 20-Dec-2016 10:38

We purchased a property in the Wairarapa (Carterton more precisely) just over 3 years ago. I grew up here, and like all 18 – 20somethings, couldn’t wait to leave. As I grew older the things that didn’t appeal suddenly became awfully appealing i.e. lack of people and nothing happening. Aside from the lifestyle point of view, financially it couldn’t have made more sense. My GF and I were both living in Wellington with the goal of buying our first house and eventually settling down and having a family – apart from the hurdles of actually buying our first home in Wellington, knowing we would need to be servicing that mortgage on one income in 3 – 5 years made me ill. Initially the commute was tough but we both landed jobs locally in fairly short order, her at the DHB and me working from home for an American software company for the same and more money than we were in the CBD. My company understands I’m an hour or so out of the city, but by international standards that’s a fairly acceptable commute (hell, even by Auckland standards) and with the rail between the two regions this broadens the options. The sooner some of the larger IT firms start seeing the benefit of regional placement (much like Xero has done recently in the Hawkes Bay) the sooner we’ll see pressure removed from the larger cities.

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#1692917 20-Dec-2016 16:53

trig42:

I grew up on Waiheke Island. My parents moved there in 1975 for teaching jobs. I was nearly 3 at the time, so don't remember living anywhere else.

My wife and I (she has been living on Waiheke since the mid-80s) moved to Napier in 2006. No reason for it, we wanted a change and knew a couple of people in Napier. We got jobs easily there and loved it. Friendly city and great climate!

On a visit back to Waiheke about 4 years later, my wife got offered a job there and we packed up and moved back (within about 6 weeks I think). I transferred my Napier job to Auckland (they were coincidentally just starting franschises in Auckland at the time). We were lucky enough to be able to buy a house back on Waiheke before the prices went mad. I commute to the City everyday (and quite enjoy the commute - I work on the Shore, so am going against traffic morning and night).

Waiheke is my home, and I'm glad we are back there. It has change A LOT in the last 40 years (even in the last 10), but I can't see us moving any time soon (though we still own a house in Napier, so never say never - I do think it is a great part of this country).

We looked at that as an option for when we eventually manage to sell here but none of the properties have big enough sections unless they are over about $1.5 million!

Geektastic

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#1692920 20-Dec-2016 16:58

Orsomosaurus:

We purchased a property in the Wairarapa (Carterton more precisely) just over 3 years ago. I grew up here, and like all 18 – 20somethings, couldn’t wait to leave. As I grew older the things that didn’t appeal suddenly became awfully appealing i.e. lack of people and nothing happening. Aside from the lifestyle point of view, financially it couldn’t have made more sense. My GF and I were both living in Wellington with the goal of buying our first house and eventually settling down and having a family – apart from the hurdles of actually buying our first home in Wellington, knowing we would need to be servicing that mortgage on one income in 3 – 5 years made me ill. Initially the commute was tough but we both landed jobs locally in fairly short order, her at the DHB and me working from home for an American software company for the same and more money than we were in the CBD. My company understands I’m an hour or so out of the city, but by international standards that’s a fairly acceptable commute (hell, even by Auckland standards) and with the rail between the two regions this broadens the options. The sooner some of the larger IT firms start seeing the benefit of regional placement (much like Xero has done recently in the Hawkes Bay) the sooner we’ll see pressure removed from the larger cities.

I've had a number of conversations over the years with people here in the Wairarapa about the benefits of a proper road tunnel and/or much improved rail service.

I find that immigrants from overseas and Kiwis who have lived overseas see all the advantages, whereas those who do not fit either of those two categories usually (not always but usually) trot out parochial nonsense about not wanting people from Wellington to move here!

I heard that post-quake, a lot of government property managers were investigating what space was available in Masterton so perhaps the light will dawn eventually...!

Smithy100

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#1692959 20-Dec-2016 19:05

I grew up in Lower Hutt in the 70's and 80's - and stayed throughout most of my 20's before a transfer to Auckland in '97... stayed there for a couple of years - and absolutely loved it. Lived in Epsom/Mt Eden and as I worked for a brewery was living "every 20-something guy's dream". Then got an internal promotion that took me back to the Hutt. Another couple of years later and I was growing out of the dream, so upped sticks and moved to London (which again, I loved - for different reasons) then came home for a bereavement in early '01.

A couple of months passed and I wasn't sure whether to stay in NZ or head back to London (had landed a great job just before I left) and really didn't know whether I was coming or going... had a mate who had moved to Brisbane the previous year and he offered the chance to stay with him for a few weeks, get some space, clear my head - and decide what I wanted to do for the next phase of my life.

Twelve years later (a career change), and some medical stuff meant I was facing a lengthy recovery from major surgery and as the Aussie gummint isn't keen to look after us Kiwis, I made the decision to come home - that was six years ago. Now I'm back in the Hutt, bought a wee house in 2014 with my gf (now wife), got married early this year and are starting a house build in Whitby next month.

To be honest, I've loved all of the places I've been fortunate enough to live - sure, things could be better. But, we're in a pretty good part of the world and have a lot of opportunities available that many don't. Lower Hutt can be a bit drab; but it's got a lot going for it too - not least of which being proximity to Wellington, and the Wairarapa. Thirty minutes on a plane and we're in Nelson. Not a huge amount more and we're in Chch or Auckland. Housing is starting to get a little more challenging and we're extremely lucky we bought when we did in 2014... but we'll take it :)

In my experience, happiness is about a place; about the people we're around... and most importantly, about ourselves. We have the biggest say.

Having said that, I do miss Brissy's climate - and a few good mates... but not the local wildlife!

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#1692969 20-Dec-2016 19:45

Lived in auckland till i was 7 years old, moved to tairua and then moved to whangamata at 13. Absolutely loved my life in tairua, fondest memories really. Had such a great childhood(Outside home). The things we could do as kids were just so cool. Could free roam the whole town and never worry about a thing.

After leaving school i took up a job back in auckland and stayed there for 6ish years on the shore mainly and then south auckland in drury and papakura.

Now we live in blenheim and have been here 3 years. It is just a fantastic place to live. We deliberately chose to live here since my wife had many friends from school here(She lived here few years as a teenager) And a few family members. My son's school is a decile 9 and has the greatest setup i have ever seen. We live 15 minutes from a great beach, 5 minutes from rivers and streams, and about 50 minutes to nelson,50 minutes to the now ravaged seals in kaikoura, 1hour to the ski field and a few hours from christchurch. It's a very unique place and coming straight from auckland to living 10 minutes drive to the nearest shop was certainly strange but i have acclimated now and i honestly can't see myself or my family heading back to auckland, that's where 80% of our families are but it's only a plane ride or ferry wide away. There is a lot happening here now, so much new housing and development. Theres a river that literally runs through part of the town and taking the kids for a walk around it and seeing 1 foot trout is pretty mind boggling.

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#1692987 20-Dec-2016 20:42

Around NZ I've lived in Golden Bay, Wellington, Kapiti, Horowhenua and Auckland.

We kept moving north as the jobs were there and the climate was better. Doesn't hurt that Auckland only very rarely feels earthquakes.....and the last I heard of worth anything was a 3.6 a couple of years ago felt by almost no one.

We arrived just before the housing price rage kicked into high gear....so managed to buy a couple of houses at what are now extremely low prices.

The beaches are in all directions. Piha is 50 mins from the house. Mission Bay is 10 minutes over the hill through Remuera. Easy drives to the Coromandel - Thames is barely an hour away - and to Northland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Taupo.

We can walk to Cornwall park, or Ellerslie Event Centre in 5 minutes. ASB Showgrounds is a 20 minute walk, with Alexandra park just beyond. The nearest train station is 7 minutes from the front door on foot. Buses to and from the CBD go up and down this part of Great South Road literally every 3 minutes on more than half a dozen different routes.

Some of the best urban amenities and public spaces in the whole country are walking distance from our house or within an hour by car. The traffic isn't too bad if you know the local back streets....and can avoid the top of the peaks (and the motorway generally).

But really it's the weather. The winter never snows. We don't get frosts. The coldest part - might go as low as 9 during the day (though usually at least 12-15) and maybe 2-3 (but usually 5-7) at night - lasts 4-6 weeks from early July to mid-August......and then it's back to spring time and heading into summer.

The Auckland area sits at the centre of the rapidly growing network of electric vehicle car chargers that make it easy to drive an EV from Kawakawa to Whakatane or Rotorua.

I may go further North. I hear it's a little bit warmer.

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invisibleman18

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#1693095 21-Dec-2016 09:41

Born in London and parents emigrated to NZ to start a new life when I was 7 as my Dad had been out of work for 2 years after being made redundant. Settled in Auckland so I grew up there. Finished University during the GFC which made getting a job very difficult. Took a year after graduating to get something and the eventual offer was in Wellington. Was only fixed term for 8 months but was at the point where it was either take it, or compete with the next year's graduates with a year of doing nothing on my CV. So moved to Wellington and have been here ever since. That first job ended up being extended so was there nearly 2 years before a restructure (Government department obviously) meant it would no longer exist at the end of the contract. Had a couple more fixed term jobs before finally getting something permanent. Much prefer Wellington to Auckland and no plans to ever move back, not that I'd ever be able to afford to live there anyway!

trig42

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#1693153 21-Dec-2016 11:15

Geektastic:
trig42:

I grew up on Waiheke Island. My parents moved there in 1975 for teaching jobs. I was nearly 3 at the time, so don't remember living anywhere else.

My wife and I (she has been living on Waiheke since the mid-80s) moved to Napier in 2006. No reason for it, we wanted a change and knew a couple of people in Napier. We got jobs easily there and loved it. Friendly city and great climate!

On a visit back to Waiheke about 4 years later, my wife got offered a job there and we packed up and moved back (within about 6 weeks I think). I transferred my Napier job to Auckland (they were coincidentally just starting franschises in Auckland at the time). We were lucky enough to be able to buy a house back on Waiheke before the prices went mad. I commute to the City everyday (and quite enjoy the commute - I work on the Shore, so am going against traffic morning and night).

Waiheke is my home, and I'm glad we are back there. It has change A LOT in the last 40 years (even in the last 10), but I can't see us moving any time soon (though we still own a house in Napier, so never say never - I do think it is a great part of this country).

We looked at that as an option for when we eventually manage to sell here but none of the properties have big enough sections unless they are over about $1.5 million!

Yep, reasonably constrained supply on Waiheke. There is heaps of 'empty' land, but the bulk of it is in large holdings. The Spencer family owns a large chunk of rural land - a lot of now in grapes.

Proximity to Auckland, climate and lifestyle make Waiheke an expensive place to buy a property (and get anything done to it too). We were lucky to be able to buy back in for not a lot more than we sold out for 4 years previously. Our house has since more than doubled in value (according to recent local sales) in the last 5 years.

I assume you'd be looking for something larger than average? The smallest lot size on the island is about 790 sq. m. Residential development is limited to 10% site coverage without resource consent.

RUKI

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#1693232 21-Dec-2016 13:24

Linuxluver described the neighbourhood quite well saving me time to type :-) FYI - moving up north will be 1C warmer with every degree of latitude.

Just to add - there are two Police Squads in the neighbourhood and they have chosen location for purpose - you can be quite quickly almost anywhere.

pctek

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#1693267 21-Dec-2016 14:07

I was born in Ch/ch. Then spent most of childhood in Nelson.

Then lived in Akld.

Then moved to a small town in Southland.

Then moved back to Akld.

Theres pluses and minuses where-ever you live.

We came back to Akld because:
Everything was so damn expensive except housing. Rates, petrol, food - really the only place to buy anything was the supermarkets. The lack of variety was astounding too.

Big cities have their advantages, that's why they're so crowded and have traffic issues and the house pieces go up and up.

I did like Nelson as a kid. It wasn't so touristy then and we roamed at will, loads to do as a kid, quiet enough to be allowed.

I'd pick a place like that to raise kids. Not too small, but not big enough you're going to drive them everywhere and panic about letting them out.

As an adult? Well work becomes a factor, hence Akld.

Now we are not working, I probably would run off again, not to a wee place, but a smaller place, Rotorua, Waihi, dunno, somewhere not too popular, but with plenty of facilities.

Driving miles to go anywhere gets old fast.

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#1693283 21-Dec-2016 14:18

trig42:
Geektastic:

trig42:

I grew up on Waiheke Island. My parents moved there in 1975 for teaching jobs. I was nearly 3 at the time, so don't remember living anywhere else.

My wife and I (she has been living on Waiheke since the mid-80s) moved to Napier in 2006. No reason for it, we wanted a change and knew a couple of people in Napier. We got jobs easily there and loved it. Friendly city and great climate!

On a visit back to Waiheke about 4 years later, my wife got offered a job there and we packed up and moved back (within about 6 weeks I think). I transferred my Napier job to Auckland (they were coincidentally just starting franschises in Auckland at the time). We were lucky enough to be able to buy a house back on Waiheke before the prices went mad. I commute to the City everyday (and quite enjoy the commute - I work on the Shore, so am going against traffic morning and night).

Waiheke is my home, and I'm glad we are back there. It has change A LOT in the last 40 years (even in the last 10), but I can't see us moving any time soon (though we still own a house in Napier, so never say never - I do think it is a great part of this country).

We looked at that as an option for when we eventually manage to sell here but none of the properties have big enough sections unless they are over about $1.5 million!

Yep, reasonably constrained supply on Waiheke. There is heaps of 'empty' land, but the bulk of it is in large holdings. The Spencer family owns a large chunk of rural land - a lot of now in grapes. Proximity to Auckland, climate and lifestyle make Waiheke an expensive place to buy a property (and get anything done to it too). We were lucky to be able to buy back in for not a lot more than we sold out for 4 years previously. Our house has since more than doubled in value (according to recent local sales) in the last 5 years. I assume you'd be looking for something larger than average? The smallest lot size on the island is about 790 sq. m. Residential development is limited to 10% site coverage without resource consent.

We have three dogs, so 5000 sq m is our minimum really and 10,000 is better.

Horseychick

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#1693353 21-Dec-2016 15:31

Interesting topic! I'm English, hubby is American and we emigrated here in 1998 after spending a month here on holiday. 3 days into the holiday I said to hubby "I could live here" and he agreed. Returned from holiday to the UK, told family and friends we were emigrating and 7 weeks later left for good as we both had jobs here. 4 years on work visas, then residency then citizenship so we both have dual passports. Have never regretted the move and when asked always say we came here for "a better quality of life", which it absolutely has been.

We have always lived in Auckland, largely due to jobs, but also partly due to the fact that we would be uncomfortable living anywhere much smaller having come from big cities in other countries. That said, we have bought and sold 5 times over the 18 years and now reside on a lifestyle block which we love due to the lack of immediate neighbours. Hubby is horrified that gumboots have become 'de rigeur' for winter wear at home as he's never owned any before, but he is largely accustomed to it now.

Love exploring other parts of NZ, love winding up the rellies in the UK by sending pics of Xmas day on the beach, love the fact that it doesn't get dark around 3.30pm in the winter months and I've never had to scrape ice off my windscreen! Regret the fact that visiting rellies in UK or USA requires very long flight and lots of money, but accept that this is the price you have to pay to live in this lovely country.

Laugh at people who complain about traffic in Auckland when I have spent hours of my life sitting on the M25/M4/M1 in the UK not moving, or spent time sitting in 6 lanes of stop/start traffic on the freeway in LA outside of rush hour and with the distinct possibility that someone was going to go postal and pull a gun!

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