[Keith C.]

Most of the people are friendly, the men strong, the women pretty, and they speak English in both places, more or less. :nice1

I just recently discovered this forum as I was researching New Zealand grad schools. I am still in Austin, but I’m thinking of moving to New Zealand in about two years. That is when both kids will be out of high school. Right now, we have three main options – Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton. My wife and I spent a month in NZ in 1986 and loved it. Of course, visiting and living are two entirely different things, but I’m pretty sure I’d like it.

I’m wondering which city I’d like most. I loved Auckland when we visited, but it sounds like commuting there is a nightmare and that the cost of living is fairly high. We were only in Wellington a short while. It reminded me of San Francisco. We didn’t go to Hamilton. It sounds like a fairly generic small city.

Anyway, I’d appreciate any insights you have. We’re still a ways off from moving, but I thought I’d try this thing I heard about once. It’s called something like “planning ahead.”

Thanks,
Keith

[Ana&Steve]

Hi and welcome! Sounds like your analysis of the major cities is a boiled down version of what is said here; it's up to you to decide which atmosphere you do best in! Most of the NZers are enjoying their weekend right now, but I'm sure they'll be along soon to beef out the descriptions:nice1
Good luck with your plans,
Ana

[robberger]

Auckland, Wellington, or Hamilton, huh?

Well then the answer is obvious: Christchurch! ;) Of course I've never been anywhere else so maybe I'm biased and ignorant!

[Trigirl]

no - the answer is wellington (its obvious, silly :))

keith - we each have our favourites for many reasons. i really didn't like auckland when i visited, too big, too spread out, traffic and stuff just too awful. wellington is smaller and more compact, with everything pretty much in walking distance and a more artsy sort of feel to it (i've never been to san francisco so can't comment on the comparison)

hamilton - no idea. i've only been for a day but i was most amused by the fact that the airport baggage collection is in a marquee outside the hut that claims to be a terminal building!

[Kim39]

hamilton - no idea. i've only been for a day but i was most amused by the fact that the airport baggage collection is in a marquee outside the hut that claims to be a terminal building!

Agree on this Trigirl. Hamilton International Airport....:laugh 2 flights a day. How can they call it this. As for Hamilton itself. Well don't live there, but it does have a decent feel to it when we pop in, in fact just returned from there. Outlying area's yes. Some lovely little towns only a 20 min drive away.

In the meantime, welcome to our world folks.

Kim

[wanderingoregonian]

We're in welly too, feel free to pm if you have any specific questions. I've never made it to Austin.. so I can't make any real comparisons city to city, but have been through various parts of the US. Closest I got was to Ft Hood for a relative's miltary wedding - probably safe to say that its a bit different to Austin:)

[Keith C.]

I appreciate the responses!

As for the locales... I'm sure Christchurch is a wonderful place. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a university that is keen on machine learning, which is what I am likely to do my PhD on. Wellington is high on my list. Its major drawback to me is that I am a warm weather kind of guy. It sounds rather cool and windy for me to go out and play beach volleyball (which is one reason why Auckland sounds good to me).

[Oregonkiwi]

It sounds rather cool and windy for me to go out and play beach volleyball (which is one reason why Auckland sounds good to me).
Compared to Austin, Auckland is going to seem pretty cool and windy too.

[Jenny & Mark]

Hamilton International Airport....:laugh 2 flights a day.
*smirk. It seems that Canada's Hamilton International Airport suffers from a similar misnomer. :)

Mark.

[Riddley]

Closest I got was to Ft Hood for a relative's miltary wedding - probably safe to say that its a bit different to Austin:)

Would that be a gunshot wedding then?:exit:laugh

[reevos]

Lived in Georgetown, Texas for about 3 years ... have to say we would move back in an instant ... very jealous of you guys living in Austin... think you will find the weather very different in NZ!!!!!
Best of luck with your plans ..
Katy

[Keith C.]

Various people have mentioned that the weather might be a bit cooler than I'm accustomed to. I'm hoping for a sudden uptick in global warming about the time we move. It's all about the planning. ;^)

[zatexmom]

Most of the people are friendly, the men strong, the women pretty, and they speak English in both places, more or less. :nice1

I just recently discovered this forum as I was researching New Zealand grad schools. I am still in Austin, but I’m thinking of moving to New Zealand in about two years. That is when both kids will be out of high school. Right now, we have three main options – Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton. My wife and I spent a month in NZ in 1986 and loved it. Of course, visiting and living are two entirely different things, but I’m pretty sure I’d like it.

I’m wondering which city I’d like most. I loved Auckland when we visited, but it sounds like commuting there is a nightmare and that the cost of living is fairly high. We were only in Wellington a short while. It reminded me of San Francisco. We didn’t go to Hamilton. It sounds like a fairly generic small city.

Anyway, I’d appreciate any insights you have. We’re still a ways off from moving, but I thought I’d try this thing I heard about once. It’s called something like “planning ahead.”

Thanks,
Keith


Hi Keith,
We're also in Austin and hoping to move to NZ in July/August. I can tell you now, NZ doesn't know what HOT is. :laugh I have two sisters there already, and visited for 3 weeks in 2003. We're looking forward to meeting up with them again.

Colleen