Is Aranui so bad?

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Smoke

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Geek

Topic # 114597 25-Feb-2013 09:04

So we're moving to Christchurch in a month or so. Was hoping to rent for a while before buying but having 2 dogs and a couple of cats seems to put us at the bottom of some very long lists.
While my partner is transferring down there I'll be starting a new job and the bank won't loan on my income for 3 months.
So we're gonna be looking at the bottom end of the market and Aranui has a lot of brick and tile which appeals.
Also, are the ponds an issue?

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 768729 25-Feb-2013 09:21

Its a pretty rough area of town. Lots of youth issues (Graffiti - vandalism) and the earthquake's have not been good to that side of town. I don't know of any landlords/property managers that will accept animals anymore.

johnr

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Reply # 768731 25-Feb-2013 09:29

I live in Auckland and know how bad it is

Oblivian

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Reply # 768732 25-Feb-2013 09:29

Take a look at google earth since it updated for an idea. You'll see the already cleared areas and the road damage/repairs after the EQ.

Some areas of Aranui yes, less than desirable. But when it borders other burbs its not so bad as there is a bit of a mixture. But smack in the middle yes, there are some state owned multi resident locations (one of which was recetly closed due to risk)

Just be wary of people in that area that don't own their place and try to rent it out for more than they pay, or shark you otherwise with a damaged premesis that isn't meant to be lived in.

DonGould

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Reply # 768747 25-Feb-2013 10:06

johnr: I live in Auckland and know how bad it is

What John said...

However, you've got dogs, you're going to just have to put up with what ever you can get, where ever you can get it, if you can get it.

You'll find that it's a land lords market and you'll be in a queue to get any place even without an animal.

This town might look like a gold mine right now, but you do need to do your homework and do it well or you're going to find your life sucks.

Yes, we're welcoming people into the city to help fix it for everyone, but I really think it's only fair to help you with those rose tinted glasses.

I would not be renting 'sight unseen'. You need to get down here and have a look for yourself and make sure you're happy.

Having said that... if you're from Otaria (sp?) or south Auckland in general, you might land here and think "pfffft... pussies... don't know what rough neighborhoods are!"

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Smoke

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Geek

Reply # 768758 25-Feb-2013 10:25

Yeah, I've pretty much given up on renting.

Currently live in Western Heights, Rotorua. Been here for 15 years. It's not the best area so not overly concerned with the rough element, it's more the noise that annoys me...BOOM BOOM of the crappy bass, domestics in the street, wandering/free ranging dogs, barking dogs, screaming/yelling/swearing kids.

Am looking at http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=538414370 and a few nearby.

The Mrs is heading down in a couple of weeks so that will make it easier but trying to narrow down our options before then.

jim.cox

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Reply # 768759 25-Feb-2013 10:28

Brick and Tile used to appeal to me too - the low maintenance looked great.

But they dont withstand earthquakes very well - the bricks fall off and the tile rooves disintergrate. The house in front of us and the house behind have had to be demolished and the nrighbour replaced his tile roof with tin.

I like our wood and tin box more and more with each shake.

I would not be paying rent to live in Aranui - you'll find plenty of derelict places to squat if you really want to live in that part of town

DonGould

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Reply # 768763 25-Feb-2013 10:35

jim.cox: Brick and Tile used to appeal to me too - the low maintenance looked great.

But they dont withstand earthquakes very well - the bricks fall off and the tile rooves disintergrate. The house in front of us and the house behind have had to be demolished and the nrighbour replaced his tile roof with tin.

I like our wood and tin box more and more with each shake.

What he said...

jim.cox:
I would not be paying rent to live in Aranui - you'll find plenty of derelict places to squat if you really want to live in that part of town

lol... that would be even more funny if it was just a joke.

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Cambo

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Reply # 768771 25-Feb-2013 10:52

I live in a split villa in Waltham, our neighbours are moving out soon.

Is suitable for two people, but don't think the landlady will accept canines - she says cats are fine.
The place is old, but warm and recently spruced up.
I think it will be up for around $290/wk.
If you are interested I can speak to the landlady and put you in contact.

It is definitely not a buyers market, in your situation you can expect to be looking for months. Each rental property sees hundreds of hopefuls.
A real estate agent told me that you should have a little CV kind of typed up sheet to give to the agent when you look at a place. If you walk in, introduce yourself and give them some information about who you are, they are more likely to favour you.

Smoke

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Geek

Reply # 768796 25-Feb-2013 11:18

Cambo: I live in a split villa in Waltham, our neighbours are moving out soon.

Is suitable for two people, but don't think the landlady will accept canines - she says cats are fine.
The place is old, but warm and recently spruced up.
I think it will be up for around $290/wk.
If you are interested I can speak to the landlady and put you in contact.

It is definitely not a buyers market, in your situation you can expect to be looking for months. Each rental property sees hundreds of hopefuls.
A real estate agent told me that you should have a little CV kind of typed up sheet to give to the agent when you look at a place. If you walk in, introduce yourself and give them some information about who you are, they are more likely to favour you.

Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but the dogs are large and active and will need room/section to roam.

Good advice re the CV but have all but given up on renting, the agents we've spoken to thus far have ranged from unhelpful to plain rude, with one notable exception but despite trying her best haven't had any luck.

Teh Mrs has a unit in a holiday park lined up for a couple of months so she can spend some time looking around.

Edit: Learn to gramma

shrub

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Reply # 768850 25-Feb-2013 12:38

that one on trademe is smack in the middle of aranui and only 1 block from hampshire the worst street in the city.

Batman

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Reply # 768898 25-Feb-2013 13:39

It is very bad. The best is random break ins. The worst is drive by shooting.

pauln

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Reply # 770173 25-Feb-2013 22:31

We're just down the road in Avonside/Wainoni (or is that Eastern Fendalton?), the neighbours had enough and moved and the new owners seem to be renting to tenants on a short term basis, they are dog trainers so may not mind a couple of dogs. Happy to put you in touch if that helps, just one point, the house next door is red zoned (other side from us), red zoned at the back (backs onto Avonside drive) and red zoned across the road. Porperties are really starting to come down now (especially in Avonside drive) but the sections are just left to overgrow, messy at best......Very little room however so probably not suitable for 2 dogs

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 770192 25-Feb-2013 23:02

All I can say, is get the worst house in the best area.
But yeah, try buying out of town some way and you'll probably be a lot better off.

Batman

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Reply # 770198 25-Feb-2013 23:25

Anyway in case you thought i was kidding

http://www.3news.co.nz/Armed-police-search-house-in-connection-with-Aranui-shooting/tabid/423/articleID/45514/Default.aspx

Dont buy the worst house in the best area ... Fendalton have ex state houses

Generally avoid anything east. Traffic is worse than akl because there are no motorways. Generally just one or two roads connecting north and south and east and west. Eg so dont stay in north and work in south unless you have abike and dont mind visiting the hospital ICU. North to west or soouth to west vice versa is better.

tdgeek

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Reply # 770201 25-Feb-2013 23:51

joker97: Anyway in case you thought i was kidding

http://www.3news.co.nz/Armed-police-search-house-in-connection-with-Aranui-shooting/tabid/423/articleID/45514/Default.aspx

Dont buy the worst house in the best area ... Fendalton have ex state houses

Generally avoid anything east. Traffic is worse than akl because there are no motorways. Generally just one or two roads connecting north and south and east and west. Eg so dont stay in north and work in south unless you have abike and dont mind visiting the hospital ICU. North to west or soouth to west vice versa is better.

If you lived near to Brougham St, that is a good roadway, as it goes Linwood to Halswell, and off ramp north to Riccarton. Never go to from Riccarton end of day.

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