[Pakeha Boy]

Me and Diny are considering expanding our options so......

Who knows what about Thames?
I know the properties are a tad more expensive than the Manawatu...
What else?

[jo b]

PB

I know it will only be an hour from where we are planning on living so already I may have friends :hopeso

And we can also still plan our childrens wedding :laugh :mrgreen: :angel

What I tend to do is look at the local council website that normal gives links to other things to get a good feel of the place. I don't know anyone there though...........not yet anyway :hopeso

Jo

[Timbo]

We spent a long day scrutinising Thames, and concluded that it was not for us. It is OK I guess, but had the feel of a place that was run down and overlooked. More of a staging post than anything.
Stu is probably the best person to ask as he is around the area himself I believe.

[acisman]

I would agree with Timbo, Thames certainly has a very run down look. I have visited it twice, being the gateway to the Coromandel. It has a main street with a handful of shops and a small indoor shopping mall.

Unless you really like the Coromandel, Thames has very little going for it.

Dave

[Gran]

I agree with the above, parts of Thames flood too.

[Beach Kiwi]

I would agree with Timbo, Thames certainly has a very run down look. I have visited it twice, being the gateway to the Coromandel. It has a main street with a handful of shops and a small indoor shopping mall.

Unless you really like the Coromandel, Thames has very little going for it.

Dave

You make it sound like a one horse town! :mrgreen:

Although small on an international basis, Thames is still a bustling community. Far from just a handful of shops, Thames would have over 100 businesses in and around the main part of the township. All the major banks are there, it has the main hospital for the Coromandel region, the main high school, Toyota has it's NZ assembly plant there, it has a large Pak & Save supermarket, etc, etc.

If you like having most of the creature comforts of a big city, but with a more laid back lifestyle, then Thames isn't too bad a place to live. Don't go there looking for 'flashy' high paid jobs though. ;)

[Timbo]

PB. This may give you some idead of what else is available. Bay of Plenty, not far from Tauranga.

#PP206613 - Te Puke - $ 250,000

COASTAL MATATA, POSSIBILITIES ENDLESS
Nested behind a mixture of mature trees and ample fruit trees, stands proud this four bedroom home. Consisting of open plan living, always a bonus when entertaining guests. High ceilings and exposed beams give this one character, however the internal decor offers a clear canvas for the imagination and the exterior has ample possibilities. The potential of this home is endless. From a young growing family wanting space and a good size section, tot he professional couple commuting to Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua or Kawerau all central to Matata and a pleasant drive from all directions. Even a farmer wanting a holiday retreat and not the congestion of town this coastal property is worth a look. Walks along the beach and a spot of fishing is only minutes away and the conveniences of shops, schools and churches are all within walking distance. This home also has a rumpus room, garaging with workshop and internal access plus kent fire with wet back.

Lifestyle
4 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Land: 1020 sqm
Request more info

Display more details

[Pakeha Boy]

Damn Timbo, but that looks pretty good!

Still like Thames too though, there's also some family history thats pushing us towards Thames to take into consideration too.
But our eyes are open to everything.
Thanks :cheers

[chrissie]

We spent some time driving around Thames one day over the Christmas holidays and I have to say that I got the feeling it had 'seen better days'. Can't put my finger on it exactly but I felt quite relieved to be leaving....

[Beach Kiwi]

We spent some time driving around Thames one day over the Christmas holidays and I have to say that I got the feeling it had 'seen better days'.

Well, it is one of our oldest towns! ;)

It was founded over 130 years ago, and was one of the biggest towns in the country for a while, mainly due to gold mining. Another reason it looks run down is because it has so many of it's original (historic) buildings left, which have been restored and are also probably under protection orders. Although they don't look historic, compared to European 'examples', they are as far as NZ is concerned. :mrgreen:

Thames link (http://www.coromandelfun.co.nz/thames.html)

[Pakeha Boy]

Thanks Beach.
Thames is place for me!

(now, how am I gonna tell the mrs?)

[Diny]

That's simple sweetheart .... just soften the blow with bottles of perfume and boxes of posh chocs purchased in duty free on your way home.

Thames is fine by me. You know I've always liked that part of the country, and the 'family history' we have up there makes it a sensible choice.

You don't have to sell Thames to me ...... but I still want the perfume and chocs.

A.H.A.W

Diny xx

[Beach Kiwi]

Wow, what else can I sell you? ;) :mrgreen:

:nice1

[Pakeha Boy]

A house and a boat is next on the list Beach....and thanks for your info.

Diny, I was thinking more along the lines of some slendertone pants?
...or maybe a nice new wet suit for when we go snorkelling for crayfish maybe? :hopeso

But then again, it'll probably be winter time by then, so how about a long weekend at the Chateau on Mt Ruapehu. Just you and me, we'll ditch the kids for a coupla days and do a bit of 5 Star'ing on an active volcano?
:eek

http://www.chateau.co.nz

[Diny]

After the comment regarding the slendertone pants it's gonna take more than a weekend at the Chateau !!!! :eek

Diny

[Beach Kiwi]

After the comment regarding the slendertone pants it's gonna take more than a weekend at the Chateau !!!! :eek


I think that requires a week at Blanket Bay Lodge (http://www.blanketbay.com/lodge/lodgechalet.htm), staying in the Richardson Stateroom, for a mere $2390 NZ per night, don't you? :yes

[Pakeha Boy]

Nice idea. :nice1
Yeah sure, we can do that..................NOT!

[Timbo]

Just found this. that just happened to be taken in Thames....thought you might like it PB/Diny.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/pengy2/NewZealand035.jpg

[Pakeha Boy]

Thanks Timbo.
Me & Diny have been in that cinema. About 10 yrs ago.
It was just like it would have been back in the 60's.
Big old drapes in front of the screen, real old vinyl flip seats, dank mouldy odours and large chunks of plaster falling off the wall, it was in dire need of renovation then, don't know what its like now....
Beach Kiwi, have you been to the pictures lately?
Whats it like now?

[Pakeha Boy]

oh yeah, the bike.............
Looks like its needs a good tree to call home!

Old bsa or norton maybe?

[Beach Kiwi]

Beach Kiwi, have you been to the pictures lately?


Haven't been to the pictures in years, and definitely not in Thames! :mrgreen:

True story. :yes

[Timbo]

BSA Lightning, in full daily use since new according to owner.

[MelissaLG]

PB,

I only recently arrived, and for what, to see this news of your defection to Thames! What is the Manawatu Mafia going to be without our fearless leader? Ah, sadness befalls me. The Manawatu Mafia is going to have to regroup without you and the lovely Diny. Best of luck to you both, and be sure to come visit us in Palmy!

Melissa

[Pakeha Boy]

Windy, wet, cloudy, cold old Manawatu, yeh Mel, I sure am going regret changing my mind, I just know it!

We looked at why we were going to Asshurts and decided the reasons just weren't stacking up against the lifestyle we could enjoy up in Thames.
And hell, its been 25 yrs since I left NZ and the reasons I left the Manawatu are still in the back of my mind so this whole NZ homecoming deal is a big "suck it and see" for me right now, and Thames I s'pose, is just my way testing the water with my big toe first.

Hope you have a great trip up north.
My tip?
Stop in Opononi for a couple of days, cracking little place for a big unwind, and the same goes for Tutakaka on the other coast.


Oh yeah, You've also just inherited the Manawatu Mafia Throne......
The Godmother, MelissaLG :cheers

[Timbo]

PB, best you try that lottery again ...

http://www.richardsons.co.nz/

[Dave & Sandra]

PB - You have just seriously depressed me. If a Kiwi won't even live here how can I be happy now :no

But I am :yes

[Bubbles]

PB, have you given up totally on the idea of the 10 acres or so you had your eye on down in the Manawatu then ?
Thats a nice house Timbo posted up. Bit out of my league.

John

[Paul]

PB, best you try that lottery again ...

I'd buy it for the bathroom alone - what a view whilst palying with your rubber ducks!!

[Bubbles]

Easy tiger :eek

:cheers

[Pakeha Boy]

D&S, I was born in Fielding, as was mum, and her dad too, so I will sure be there everynow and then, its a top little town, but too far from the beach..........

Bubbs, yup, I'm a trainee Coro boy now. Haven't given up on a big bit of ground tho, check it out.........

http://www.listezy.com/rm/listings/l0016.html

[Timbo]

www.thames-info.co.nz/
www.thepeninsula.co.nz/tcdc/
www.tcdc.govt.nz/
www.newzealand.districts.co.nz/
thames-valley/index.html
www.onenz.co.nz/tourism/3/A/Index.htm
www.wave.co.nz/~thlib/history.html
www.conservation.org.nz/
Conservation/Wetlands/Significant-Sites/
Firth-of-Thames.asp
www.thames-high.school.nz/
www.peninsula.faithweb.com/
stfrancis/main.html
www.antiquesthames.co.nz
www.butterfly.co.nz
www.thecoromandel.com

[Timbo]

Another one for the seemingly endless list Diny..


http://www.focushomes.co.nz/

This looks like a good little building firm.

[Diny]

Thanks Timbo - these are really useful - keep them coming.

Diny x

[Timbo]

Best get PB on all available overtime Diny;

http://www.realenz.co.nz/showcase/798293.htm

[Dave & Sandra]

Timbo

You've got to stop it NOW. It's just too much to bear. Focus on reality please :laugh :laugh

[Timbo]

OK. No sooner said than done;

http://www.homesell.co.nz/

[Diny]

Timbo

That first house is rather wondrful eh. Like Sandra says ..... a reality check please !!!!!!!!!!!!

The 2nd place looks brill and I must admit I've seen it before and do have it book marked.

That reminds me ........ must go and check my lottery tickets.

Diny