[HelenandPhil]

Hello everyone, we have been reading posts on the forum for a while now, and learning loads, but this is our first post - yesterday I was offered a job based in Hamilton which covers the area right up to the Coromandel and then down as far as lake Taupo, which at the moment seems like a massive area??? Where do you think would be the best place to begin looking for somewhere to live? Any help would be greatly appreciated.....we seem to be going round in circles at the moment - are there any areas to avoid?

[Sam B]

Congratulations on the job! You'll probably need to be fairly close to Hamilton if that's your base. I am officially based in Hamilton but I mainly work in Tokoroa. The time it takes me to drive from Cambridge (where I live) to Tok is counted as work time, and I'm sure your travel time will be included in your work time too, if you have to cover such a wide area. Whereas, if you live in the Coromandel, they may not count your journeys to Hamilton as work time, because you would just be driving in to your base if you see what I mean.

The areas surrounding Hamilton will also probably be the most central for all your travel.

I live in Cambridge, and I can happily recommend it, it's a lovely town, with good shops and cafes, the only thing missing is the sea. I work in Tokoroa, where you will see that house prices are very cheap compared to other areas of NZ. You will also see that it is central for your travelling, but I'm not sure I would recommend it as a place to live although there is a good sense of community and many people love living there. I'm just not sure it is what people might want when they emigrate to another country, htere is a very high level of poverty.

You might be best to come and rent at first, and explore the area. There are lots of nice towns - Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Paeroa, Te Aroha, that fall in the area you describe, or maybe you prefer a city - (i.e. Hamilton)

[liamnrach]

Welcome to the forum Helen and Phil:p

Congratulations on the job!! We visited NZ last year and absolutely fell in love with Cambridge and surrounding areas, so I totally echo Sam B views. We hope to live there one day in the not too distant future:yes

Good luck with the move and jobs!!:nice1

Liam n Rach

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hello and welcome.

We've been in NZ for six(ish) weeks now and in the Hamilton area. We really like Hamilton and are currently renting in Rototuna suburb, which is fine and has a great primary school for our two.

There are many lovely suburbs and surrounding towns not too far from Hamilton, large and small, the city being where all the major roads collide of course, so you may want to stay reasonably close to town given the range of your working travels.

[HelenandPhil]

Thanks for the replies it gives us more of a focus to begin the search!! Have you found it easy to find somewhere to rent? and are the rental periods set or flexible - 3 months, 6 months etc? how much are the rental rates in and around Hamilton roughly for a two bedroom flat/house in a nice area?

thanks....

[Oliver]

I've been in Hamilton for about a month and I love the place. Rental accommodation is not difficult to come by provided you are not too fussy. I suggest you visit http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Property/RegionListings.aspx?search=1&mcat=0350-5748-4233-&sidebar=1&132=FLAT&selected135=&selected136=&134=14&135=&29=&122=0&122=0&59=0&59=0 for a selection of rental properties available in the Waikato region.

You can also try Lodge Real Estate http://www.lodgerealestate.co.nz/?nav=rentsearch.

Good luck.

[liamnrach]

I've been in Hamilton for about a month and I love the place. Rental accommodation is not difficult to come by provided you are not too fussy. I suggest you visit http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Property/RegionListings.aspx?search=1&mcat=0350-5748-4233-&sidebar=1&132=FLAT&selected135=&selected136=&134=14&135=&29=&122=0&122=0&59=0&59=0 for a selection of rental properties available in the Waikato region.

You can also try Lodge Real Estate http://www.lodgerealestate.co.nz/?nav=rentsearch.

Good luck.

Cheers Oliver good links!! There seems to be alot available on these sites. I have read in previous posts that good quality rental properties are hard to come by? From some I can see in the links, they all look pretty good with very favourable descriptions. I am wondering if they will live up to their billing or if the agents are being 'economic' with the truth:confused:

Only going by what some have said on previous threads relating to 'the standard of rental propeties'.....:yes

Just a thought...

Liam n Rach

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hmmm, don't believe the hype (as Public Enemy used to say, any gangster rap fans out there?) no excuse for going and seeing with your own two eyes. There are lots though, so you won't have trouble finding one pretty quickly, and the area counts for as much as the property itself.

Some have period tie ins up to 12 months, but ours has no tie in other than having to give 3 weeks notice if we want to leave - no great hardship.

We were in a motel for just two weeks when we first got here, so found our rental pretty sharpish.

[pinkpiggy]

You could also try www.realestate.co.nz they have properties to buy, rentals, rural homes, business etc.

Good luck.

[pgw777]

Congrats on the job offer. We are heading to Hamilton soon, good luck.

[Oliver]

The best option is to stay in a motel for a couple of weeks while you explore Hamilton and surrounds (including beautiful Cambridge). YOu'll soon get a pretty good idea of which suburbs you like and which not. I reckon Hamilton caters for most tastes, from ultra modern to character homes to downright seedy!

[John Z]

First congrats HelenandPhil on the joboffer!

We are heading towards Waikato too and when investigating the area I stumbled on a message concerning Powerlines.

There seems serious rumour concerning a new powerline through the Waikato. From what I've seen now it would ad to the powerlines near Hamilton. I've studied health aspects with Powerlines like radiation and "corona-ions" and therefore choose not to live in a place where I can see Powerlines. When I can see them, they're too near.

If it is of any concern I'll ad map where the lines are.

John Z

[whiskythedog]

presumably you are talking about the main powerlines and not the ones which come from the telegraph poles direct to house (not buried underground here)
...anyway job offer! well done !

[John Z]

presumably you are talking about the main powerlines and not the ones which come from the telegraph poles direct to house (not buried underground here)
...anyway job offer! well done !

That's correct!:nice1 Otherwise there'd be "nowhere" to live I guess?

[HelenandPhil]

Thanks John, something we wouldn't have considered but really useful

What are the blue and brown squares?, and what is the difference between red and orange?:confused:

[John Z]

Thanks John, something we wouldn't have considered but really useful

What are the blue and brown squares?, and what is the difference between red and orange?:confused:

Blue square= hydro power plant
Brown square= thermal power plant (Huntly!)
Orange lines= 220.000 Volts
Red lines=110.000 Volts

You're welcome,

John Z

[Rooikop]

We arrived in NZ from SA a week ago and are currently staying in a self-catering motel. Our original plan was to stay here for the first month to find our feet (besides, OH's company was picking up the tab!) but realised that it is simply not going to work as we needed to get the kids into a school. Most of them are zoned so we had to find a rental in the right area before we could enrol the girls. It really didn't take long at all. We viewed properties for two days and on the third day found one. On the same day, we bought a car for me and enrolled the girls in the school. That was the Thursday and they started school on the Monday. We only move into our rental on 14 August so I have to commute at the moment. I find Hamilton really lovely and easy to get around. "Commuting" here takes 10 minutes to get across town. My OH had the use of his company car straight away even though he only started work today. It made the difference in the beginning.

Hope it helps.

[HelenandPhil]

Hi Rooikop,

Thanks for the post, it is always good to hear from people who are actually seeing Hamilton for the first time as we will. ( Im assuming you havent been before?)

So many questions...

Did you find your rental through local agents or online? Did you look at lots of areas for rentals or only search in one paritcular zone? Do rentals come furnished...if so how furnished....will you have any houseware to cook and eat with for example?

I Hope everyhting continues as well as it seems to be going at the moment for you!:clap

P.S Any recommendations for local shops/estate agents/car sales or anything else welcome