[StuckInLA]

I am in the preliminary stages of looking for a job in NZ, and got a bite on a position in Auckland. Having never been to NZ, my only source for info on what it is like is the internet. I it would help me tremendously if someone who is familiar with both Auckland and the US could describe what Auckland is like in terms of US cities. I'm envisioning it to be like Seattle, but with warmer weather. Can anyone offer any insight?

Thank you!

[Oregonkiwi]

I'm envisioning it to be like Seattle, but with warmer weather.

That's not a bad starting point. In terms of size, Auckland seems more like Portland to me (fairly compact centre, sprawling suburbs) - Oregon in general is a good comparison to NZ. Auckland sort of looks like San Francisco with the water and hills, but SF is way way bigger than Auckland. Hope that helps - good luck with the job!

[kanatakiwi]

I would say yes to Seattle. think warmer weather, lots of wind, lovely beaches, palm trees, large Pacific Island and Maori community, a freeway running right through the heart of the city, terrible traffic congestion, lots fo constuction and road work everywhere, thousands of sailboats in the harbour
Auckland is working on its downtown area, but I dont think it has anything that compares with Portland's people friendly downtown area.

[Park City Partner]

The size is probably like Portland, the water and weather more like SF and the city, vegetation and traffic like LA....Auckland is also sprawled out like LA. While the city has more going on then LA, it doesn't have as much as SF. And certainly doesn't have the heart vibe of Portland's downtown. With all of that said, don't move here expecting it to be similar to the States. I know it is helfpul from an evaluation viewpoint but I think you will need to let go of a lot of US expectations when you move here. Good luck!

[Park City Partner]

Oh and the humidity...forgot to add that in. Not as bad as Washington DC in the summer but way more humid than the West Coast!

[wanderingoregonian]

Being a portland girl.. I'd say it doesn't remind me of portland at all (and I grew up out in the western suburbs of Portland). Auckland reminds me of Syndey and Seattle, though smaller than Sydney. The downtown has steep roads like Seattle and tall buildings it also has that isthmus feel. I think it would be fair to say that bits of it also reminded me of Vancover BC. Portland is more 'stumpy' with lots of 3-6 story buildings, though that is changing. Wellington is more similar to Portland, only imagine it on Crater Lake. My husband didn't believe me till we looked it up, but the harbour is about the size of Crater Lake.

While I agree that remember that its very different from the States, there are some similarities that can get you in the ball park while you are still on the otherside.... particularly if you have references to the Pacific NW. There are many things here that remind me of the Oregon of my childhood.

[Sam'n'Kelv]

Oh and the humidity...forgot to add that in. Not as bad as Washington DC in the summer but way more humid than the West Coast!

How humid is 'humid'? Is it unbearable like in Australia - esp Brisbane - or can you put up with it? Is it humid all summer, or just during the hottest months?

[Super_BQ]

My biggest complaint about Auckland is the poor infrastructure road ways. For size of the city, I don't know of any other city in N. America that is as bad?

No way to compare Vancouver (BC) to Auckland. They are miles apart. Take out downtown map of Vancouver and you will see, all the streets are grided. Avenues and Streets run perpendicular. Every street corner sign has the appropriate 'block #' so no matter which street you're on, you have a very good idea how far it is on so called "block #". In comparison, Auckland is very hilly and there are only so many routes one can take to get to point B. All the main parallel streets and bridges in Vancouver are at least 4 lanes and the only hill you can encounter is driving up N. Vancouver. Because it's quite easy to drive in Vancouver, locals there can leave downtown and be at Grouse Mountain for a nature (Grouse Grind) hike within 30 minutes drive. What other city elsewhere allows you to go downhill skiing and golfing outdoor all within a day (http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/canada/vancouver.go)?

I also don't find the weather in Seattle and Vancouver to be at all similiar to Auckland. As mentioned before, the humidity is far higher in Auckland. The winds are also far stronger than any ocean front cabin in Pugeut Sound (Seattle) or in N. Vancouver (on the Pacific Coast). For both Vancouver and Seattle, I can't see how they could hold an America's Cup sailing. Then let's talk about the snow during winter time. How often does Auckland stay below 0°C during the winter months?

Oh yeah, I can never get use to the idea of fences around the front of people's houses. Makes me think i'm driving in residential all the time while every house is hidden behind a vast variety of mixed coloured walls and bushes.

A paradise for kids that love to do graffiti. BTW, those living in Christchurch can witness another burned out car on Lyttleton st. (near Pioneer Stadium). The 4th burned out car i've seen in the past 6 months.

[constablechuck]

A couple of weeks ago I had a dodgy looking woman knock on my door around 11am, she asked how to go about renting a flat in our building (despite the fact that there was a large sign with the property managers phone number) then she asked if I saw a woman with a white dog and changed her story saying that she was looking for someone.

I started thinking that she was up to something and was just checking to see if anyone was home before climbing in the window to rob the place, I went and closed / locked all of the windows before I left for work, later I started wondering if as an ex-cop my suspicious mind was getting the best of me.

Yesterday I read in the news that the area of Christchurch where I live has recently had a rash of burglaries :uhoh my suspicious mind is now back in overdrive.

[Park City Partner]

The humidity is bearable for sure and that is coming from someone who loves the dry climate of Utah. It is also humid in the winter which makes it seem so much colder.

And for the record, if you live in LA you can golf or ski in the same day during the right months...not great skiing but Big Bear Mountain is only a few hours away...and you could go to the beach too!

[StuckInLA]

Yes, you can ski, golf, and surf all in one day in LA (theoretically). However traffic will probably prevent you from doing this.

[xanctus]

By size wise, Auckland's population and Milwaukee, Wisconsin population are identical...1.something millions. Based on my experience living in Milwaukee for 6 years and now here in Auckland, I find it similar.

[tecso]

Hi, We are moving to Auckland in a few months. I've been watching the weather and it seems to be remarkably close to the Bay Area. In other words, between 45-75 most of the time and not terribly rainy. For example, today a nice fall day there is 68° day | 55° night (F). We're thinking climate-wise it will be a very easy move. One thing I have been told is that heating is an afterthought in most homes, so a space heater will be needed in winter.