[Lupin]

When we were deciding and planning this emigration lark one of the things I wanted to get out of it was a better climate, which was why we plumped for Hawkes Bay over Dunedin in the end. Now we're here it's interesting to re-assess those initial 'wants' from emigration and see whether we acheived them and whether they remain priorities. The warmer climate started as a 'bonus' but now I'm here on a warm August day (so February) with the doors swung open, the girls in shorts and t-shirts painting in the sunshine and the puppy lying in it enjoying the warmth on her body, it feels much more important than a bonus.

What did you prioritise before you got here and does it remain a priority now?

[StevieD]

Lupin, I must admit that the climate is a lot better than what we used to in "February" - did my son't paper round in shorts and t-shirt this morning (he had a badly damaged knee!!)
Sun is blazing through the window on to the back of my neck now and even though we have had some showers today it is still nice. So, as one of those who put the climate as one of their considerations, then yes, we are very pleased.
Got all the washing dry this morning, windows open to air the house, and the neighbour has just dropped a huge bag of oranges at my door :) He can't keep up with the crop from his tree..... I'm sure we'll help him :laugh
Saying this, had a few mandarins on the paper round this morning, absolutely strewn everywhere, and they do make you perk up a bit when it gets a bit dull.

:)

Steve

[Sam B]

I wanted less work stress and more job security (check), beautiful countryside (check), less litter and pollution (mainly check) less people and crowding (check) and a really good life for my kids (check). These are still priorities, and so far so good.

I keep noticing that it's sunny in Hawkes Bay on the weather when it's often raining here, and I always think - "should we have moved to Hawkes Bay....?"

[incredible hulse]

Must say if I had a choice in the North Island it would be Hawkes Bay; beats Windy Welly any day !

[ellenmelon]

Must say if I had a choice in the North Island it would be Hawkes Bay; beats Windy Welly any day !

the only time that its been realllly windy was when i first moved here at the end of october so like, spring i spose.i know whats ahead of me in a couple of months anyway lol. it hasnt been as windy as i expected..there is the odd super gusty day/evening especially if a wee storm is coming through but i dont see why people are put off by living here.

sorry lupin for hijacking your thread :)

[Lupin]

I don't understand why more people don't move to HAwkes Bay, tbh. When I've driven to Auckland or Taupo I'm so surprised by the climate difference! I'm not saying that the rest of the north island isn't lovely, it is, but Hawkes Bay feels like some sort of undiscovered jewel :)

[incredible hulse]

I don't understand why more people don't move to HAwkes Bay, tbh. When I've driven to Auckland or Taupo I'm so surprised by the climate difference! I'm not saying that the rest of the north island isn't lovely, it is, but Hawkes Bay feels like some sort of undiscovered jewel :)

I'd be there tomorrow if there was any form of IT work (or I win the lottery and can set up my own vineyard ;) )

[holland]

ooooooooooooooooooo...Get me to Hawkes Bay ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CjChris]

Is it wet enough there to still have a nice veggie garden and fruit trees?

[andreamatt]

Initial wants? Sunshine, greenery, fewer cars on the roads, empty beaches, job satisfaction for OH, a friendly and good-enough school for our children - think we can tick all these boxes.

Haven't been to Hawkes Bay yet (haven't been anywhere further north yet than Waikanae!) but we sat in the sun in the Botanic Gardens yesterday and it felt more like early summer than winter. Lovely. This morning though... very soggy and very windy here in Wellington. Even so, the weather so far in the capital city has been far better than we'd been expecting.

Andrea