[aberdian]

All,

I'm canvassing opinions on places to live! We have a choice of options, based on available work.

1. New Plymouth with a job. Never been. Sounds wet.
2. Canterbury, no job, but the ability to consult. Been there, B-I-L lived there, liked it.

What are the pros and cons (work apart, that'll fall out one way or the other!)? We've got 2 young kids, like the outdoor life and skiing (which is a big pull in Canty). Come on, sell your area :)

Cheers

Ian

[aberdian]

bump.

No-one even going to try and sell me on one or the other? We're undecided, have had 1st interview w New Plymouth mob and waiting for #2.

Cheers

Ian

[Moorf]

Hmmmm, hard for me to sell one over the other as I haven't been to New Plymouth :no (or, indeed, the North Island!) I love loads of places in the South Island but Chch is really lovely as far as cities go. House prices tend to be cheaper down here, not sure how they compare with N/Ply, but salaries can also be a tad lower here too.

What sort of lifestyle are you after etc? That might help people in each place know what you're after and if you can get it in either place ;)

For what it's worth, you mentioned N/Plymouth was wet. Canterbury tends to be dryer/crisper with less rain but colder temps.

[Hannah]

Anyone who's read my posts will know my answer - and i've been to both places!

I'd vote New Plymouth first, New Plymouth second and, if neither of those are an option, I'd vote for NEw Plymouth. but that's whats right for me, if you have been to Canterbury and liked it then i'd be inclined to choose there (maybe via a trip to NP on the way down). Property prices have trebled in the last 3 years or so, so it's not the cheap part of the NI anymore. don't know how it compares with Canterbury.

i wouldn't say its particularly wet - not more so that UK in my opinion, and it often rains at night. We live 25 mins from a mountain where you can ski, climb etc. (albeit a relatively outdated ski lift system) and 5 mins from the sea and great surf beaches (black sand). We have sunshine levels similar to Napier, although it doesn't get as hot in the summer as some parts of mid south island and up north. That suits me fine!

I'd say that if you are not heading to take up a job - i.e. you have genuine choice - fly in to Auckland and travel down south via NP - and then carry on to Canterbury. If you have to choose a job first - then internet research may be all you have. visit www.npdc.govt.nz for some nice pics on the council website. Consider stuff like town/city size also, and distance to other cities (NP has 60,000 and is 3 1/2 hr drive to next large city - Hamilton and Palmy. I like that - others may hate the thought! So it's all personal - decisions need to be based on things like how much you will travel OUT of your city (for work and fun), what you do with spare time (is being near a beach essential) and affordability of property...you just live with the weather. If you've been to C'bury and loved it and all the other factors suit you then that probably makes the choice easier. But don't be surprised if you come up to the festival of lights one Christmas and be amazed...and just wonder why you didnt' choose NP in the first place (:-)

good luck!!! hannah

[aberdian]

Thanks for the replies you two, nice to see someone enthusiastic about where they live! As we stand, if we get offered a job, we'll take NP, see if we like it. If we don't have a job offer, we'll most likely hit Chch and surrounds next year as we *know* we like there. It's nice to have options :)

Cheers

Ian

[Hannah]

NP won't let you down - i assure you. Did you have a look at npdc.govt.nz to check out some of the local places, facilities etc?