BaldyBeardyBloke
5th July 2007, 12:32 AM
We've been in our current rental in Rototuna (Hamilton) for six weeks (in NZ 2 months) but we are about to move.
Thought I'd post this to explain why as it might help others looking for rentals.
Where we are now is a brand spanking new house, we're first to live here so it's all very shiny and new. The rooms and space inside are all large and (I think) quite well designed and I think the rent is fair. It's very close to kids school. It's on a 'gated complex' so safe and with on-site managers who do all the maintenance, gardening etc and there are on-site facilities such as gym etc for free. So why move?
1) Paula really doesn't like the house. Fair enough we can't all like everything.
2) It's on a gated complex, as I said, but as a result it is identical to the other 100 dwellings on the site and all are two storey homes. As a result is doesn't feel like a typical NZ home, and looking out the window at a street of clones makes us feel like we could just as easily be in Southend, Scunthorpe or Scotland more readily than in NZ. i.e. it just doesn't 'feel' kiwi.
3) Virtually all the houses are privately owned, but as investments so rented out. The result is a street inhabited by people 'in transit' so there is little sense of community.
4) No garden. There is some grassed area around each side of the house, but it is tiny. There are no fences so the grassed areas become 'communal' which does relieve this effect (and makes it easier for the manager to mow!) but there isn't anywhere outside that is a pleasant private area, this will be a problem in the summer and will annoy me a lot.
5) Orientation. The house faces due south with a big garage on the north side. Consequently there isn't a single window north facing. This can make the house feel dark, and there is not a chance of gaining any benefit from any sunshine in the winter, so the house is never remotely warm and never will be.
We're not moving far, about half a mile, if that, down the road, which is a reflection that we like the general area. Will it be better? Who knows, but it won't be a problem for the same reasons if it isn't better. The kids will still go to the same school which was an important factor in the choice.
We live and learn, just thought some of the points above might be ones to consider for anyone else rental (or house) hunting.
Don't get me wrong, we're not desperate to escape this house. The timing is down to the fact our container arrives next week, so it was a case of if we're going to move, let's sort it before our stuff lands so we don't need to move it twice in quick succession.
Cheers
Sam
Thought I'd post this to explain why as it might help others looking for rentals.
Where we are now is a brand spanking new house, we're first to live here so it's all very shiny and new. The rooms and space inside are all large and (I think) quite well designed and I think the rent is fair. It's very close to kids school. It's on a 'gated complex' so safe and with on-site managers who do all the maintenance, gardening etc and there are on-site facilities such as gym etc for free. So why move?
1) Paula really doesn't like the house. Fair enough we can't all like everything.
2) It's on a gated complex, as I said, but as a result it is identical to the other 100 dwellings on the site and all are two storey homes. As a result is doesn't feel like a typical NZ home, and looking out the window at a street of clones makes us feel like we could just as easily be in Southend, Scunthorpe or Scotland more readily than in NZ. i.e. it just doesn't 'feel' kiwi.
3) Virtually all the houses are privately owned, but as investments so rented out. The result is a street inhabited by people 'in transit' so there is little sense of community.
4) No garden. There is some grassed area around each side of the house, but it is tiny. There are no fences so the grassed areas become 'communal' which does relieve this effect (and makes it easier for the manager to mow!) but there isn't anywhere outside that is a pleasant private area, this will be a problem in the summer and will annoy me a lot.
5) Orientation. The house faces due south with a big garage on the north side. Consequently there isn't a single window north facing. This can make the house feel dark, and there is not a chance of gaining any benefit from any sunshine in the winter, so the house is never remotely warm and never will be.
We're not moving far, about half a mile, if that, down the road, which is a reflection that we like the general area. Will it be better? Who knows, but it won't be a problem for the same reasons if it isn't better. The kids will still go to the same school which was an important factor in the choice.
We live and learn, just thought some of the points above might be ones to consider for anyone else rental (or house) hunting.
Don't get me wrong, we're not desperate to escape this house. The timing is down to the fact our container arrives next week, so it was a case of if we're going to move, let's sort it before our stuff lands so we don't need to move it twice in quick succession.
Cheers
Sam