[half_pint]

Hi, My husband will be working in CBD (Freeman's Bay) & we're thinking of living in Bucklands Beach (like the area/schools).
Are we mad? Will this commute be do-able every day or will it be a nightmare (we will have a car + office carpark)?
I know there is a ferry from Half Moon Bay to CBD but, my hubbie will still have a bike ride/walk from ferry pier to Freemans Bay. Is the ferry journey a practical option, do you think?
If not, is the drive ok?
Your thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.


EOI submitted: 12th September 2007
EOI Selected: 12th September 2007

[gil]

The ferry journey is lovely, a great de-compressor at the end of the day. If you have fixed hours and are not required to visit clients, then it's a great way to go to work.

The drive, in my opionion, not as bad as many people make out, although it depends what you're used to. Hubby and I both do it, me to Albert Street (CBD) and him to Ponsonby. If his role moves to another buidling near the quay, then he will ferry in.

It takes him (leaving at 7 a.m.) 45 mins to get to his desk. I leave at anything from 7.30 to 8.30 and it usually takes me about 45-50 mins, wuth the worst ever being 1 hour and 15 minutes (only once!)

Hope that helps!

Gil

[half_pint]

Thanks so much again for your reply. We really did like the Bucklands Beach/Howick area & the schools there but, had been warned that it was 'much too far out' for commuting every day. My hubby says he's happy to have to spend an hour travelling to work, & back, as long as he can come home to an area where we will be happy. The ferry sounds a lovely way to travel. Hope we can make this a reality!
Rebecca

[DMcG]

It's not that far out if you're happy enough with the commute. As with most places, the traffic is fairly "tidal" - if you can start and finish early or late and avoid the peak times you should be fine. Have a look at the Fullers Website (http://www.fullers.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/34) - from there you can work out your ferry times into the CBD. You can also get a Captains Pass which reduces the daily cost of your trip.

Dougie

[Tia Maria]

DMcG wrote:

You can also get a Captains Pass which reduces the daily cost of your trip.

And gives you discounts on beer on board - although the OH slurs, I mean swears, he never uses it for that! :D

Cheers

Tia

[gil]

Thanks so much again for your reply. We really did like the Bucklands Beach/Howick area & the schools there but, had been warned that it was 'much too far out' for commuting every day. My hubby says he's happy to have to spend an hour travelling to work, & back, as long as he can come home to an area where we will be happy. The ferry sounds a lovely way to travel. Hope we can make this a reality!
Rebecca

As I said, it depends what you're used to! People have looked shocked at my preparedness to drive up to an hour each way, but in the UK, an hour's drive to a client was a luxury, more usually 2+ hours!

We have your husband's perspective: it may be slightly longer than the average Auckland commute, but the area is fab and well worth it. Do feel free to ask anything else about this end of town,

All the best,

Gil
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