[Belmont Babes]

Hi everyone

OH has received a job offer. It is in Auckland. Please could anyone tell us best places to live with family near to Auckland, then I can start to look at house prices etc. Also the salary starts at $20 per hr for first 3 months. How negotiable do you think these salaries are? We hope to live mortgage free and would that salary be manageable?? I have my doubts.
Thank you all

[speckythecky]

There is a book 'Where to live in Auckland', isbn 0-473-11366-x.
It gives you a breakdown of areas, saying who lives there, what the homes are like, and details on schools, shops and leisure. It also gives house prices and times to the cbd.

[Belmont Babes]

Thanks Specky. Have bought numerous books so far but not this one! Is the process taking it's toll on you or are you enjoying it?

[speckythecky]

I can't say that I am enjoying it, it is definately a roller coaster, but, apart form this forum, I am trying to let the whole process wash over me.
Some days I have moments of panic and/or insanity but usually avoid mega stress, except when waiting for documents in the post.

[Belmont Babes]

I am having difficulty with the washing over me stuff. Feel absolutely shattered with running on adrenalin for the last few months.
I now feel really scared that we are doing the right thing. Once the job offer came the excitement was immediately replaced with worry. YIKES! this is big etc. Xrays on Friday. Medicals on the 5th. House on the market. Oh it's all too much. Where's that wine/vodka/valium/choc?

[movefromus]

I grew up in Auckland and I would recommend checking out the North Shore suburbs. Commute to the city may be about 45 in rush hour but it is a nice place to live. Pretty good bus system (not as good as the UK but way better than in the US), easy driving access to a number of beaches, easy driving to a couple of malls, some great schools. Some of the suburb names are Birkenhead, Takapuna, Milford, Glenfield (the Glenfield high school is not great though), Brown's Bay, Albany, Northcote. I would NOT recommend looking in Birkdale...not as good an area as some of the other suburbs. An average house on the North Shire might be around $500,000 currently but that seems pretty common in a lot of Auckland suburbs.

Hope that helps a little.
Carly