[JoanneG]

We have finally narrowed down our preferred place to live as the Kapiti Coast. We've looked into the commute to Welly (OH works in IT) and schools for the kids. Been looking at property - lovely! Raumati is looking very promising.

OH is worried about our lack of local knowledge and would like to know if there are any areas on the Kapiti Coast that we should avoid because of aircraft noise. Of course, areas surrounding airports are fairly obvious but he is thinking more of flightpaths.

We have lived pretty close to Stansted UK in the past.

Any thoughts?

[jess]

There's a lot of talk about this lately with the proposed changes to the airport by an Auckland developer and with the helicopter training that goes on and is bothering people. It's a very small airport, so helicopters seem to be the main noise concern.

I hear almost nothing to do with aircraft in Waikanae. Of course, if you're planning to commute with public transport, there's only one train in and out to Welly from Waikanae at the moment (though they are talking about electrifying the rail up to here soon - but often when they talk about things they don't happen any time soon. Not sure.) Also Waikanae is further out from Welly - about 50 min. by car outside rush hour. If you haven't seen it, there's a thread on cummuting to Welly from Kapiti here (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11144).

I love Raumati South. I visit two poeple there often and have never noticed ariport noise (a resident would be able to better comment), but it depends on which end of Raumati South - I visit over near Queen Elizabeth park on the south end furthest from Paraparaumu and the airport. It's really nice in that area. Jeep Rd. Tennis Court Rd. etc... Great artsy little neighborhood. It's about 30 min from Welly by car outside of rush hour.

If you like Paekakariki and found a house for sale there, you'd be much further out from the airport and closer in to Welly for commuting. It's a fairly close knit little community and it doesn't seem like a lot of houses come up for sale there.

Up further north there's rural Peka Peka just north of Waikanae and there's Otaki Beach another 10 - 15 minutes out. I wouldn't think you'd hear much there, but your commute would be getting quite expensive and long - especially if you'll be going during peak times or if there's an accident.

We absolutely love it in Kapiti (but neither of us commute to Welly)

[jess]

Forgot to mention that with the Western Link Rd being perhaps actually near to being built, the long Matai Rd in Raumati may become a much busier through road between Raumati and Paraparaumu. Something to consider if you're looking at houses there. ...Who knows - they've been talking about that road since the eighties(!) from what I've read, but it seems to be close to starting. If nothing else, the fact that it's planned could affect house prices. I don't know a lot about it - just what I've read in the local paper. But it's been a pretty contentious issue.

[k-k]

Hi Joanne,

We lived at Paraparaumu Beach for a while before buying our house in Otaki and were on the flight path so to speak. As Jess said it's not a busy airport as such with only the Air2there planes leaving 2-3 times a day (only 12 seaters or so) and the helicopters. Weekends however see the gliders go up in force and although they are quiet enough the planes that tow them up are not.

Saying that it's no where near like being in the flight path of a major airport and most of the time you don't notice the planes. However if the expansion of the airport does ever take place I think the aim is to fly bigger planes in and more of them, but as they are still arguing over it all and having umpteen meetings I can't see anything happening in the near future.

As Jess also pointed pointed out the Western Link Road plans are probably more of an issue to consider as I think they have the money for the initial phase and may well start soon. It will affect not only Raumati, but Paraparaumu and Waikanae as well. The planned route is available on the Kapiti Coast District Council site www.kapiticoast.govt.nz .

I'd certainly recommend the Kapiti Coast area, loads of people seem to be coming here. I'd definitely suggest renting for a while first and giving yourself time to have a good look around at housing. We thought we were set on Paraparaumu till it came to looking for the type of house we wanted. (mind you we didn't have the added problem of finding good schools.)

If you've any other questions, I'd be glad to help. Hubby's also in IT and has experience of the daily train commute into Wellington.

regards
Karen

[wanderingoregonian]

I can confirm that it is a very popular area for gliding - and the tow planes can be a bit loud, plus they are just taking off/landing so there are more minutes of noise.

[jess]

Thanks Karen I had not noticed the new info on the Western Link Rd on the council site - so thanks for the link.

[JoanneG]

Thank you - this is really useful information. Might be in touch in the future Karen.

Sorry it took a while for me to reply - been away due to a family bereavement.

[chazndave]

Hi, I have seen a thread somewhere where people were talking about commute times from Kapiti coast and I thought there was a link to the train website, could anyone tell me what the web address is...Thanks

[IanW99]

Try this one:-metlink (http://www.metlink.org.nz/section10.php)

Ian

[migratory birds]

We lived under a flight path in Portland, Oregon.

Later, when I looked at a map of the airport (including runways) I saw that

Look at a map of all the area airports/airfields (usu city maps include enough of this information to be helpful) - you'll see the runways - follow them out a couple miles/few kilometres to get an idea of the paths they're following as they're descending low enough to be a bother.

Great information to have BEFORE you move or buy!

[Questor]

P'ram airport is more of an airfield than a full blown airport though.