[JoanneG]

I had my heart set on Kapiti with it's easy access to Wellington but my OH says he is getting promising noises for jobs in the Bay of Plenty. It all looks lovely on the websites but what's it really like on the other side of the pretty pictures of Mount Maunganui e.t.c.? It looks to be about 2-3 hours from Cambridge & Hamilton where I know that a few of you live.

So, Forumees - can you tell me more as I value your opinions.

We are a family of 6 with 2 girls, aged 6 & 8 and 2 boys aged 3 & 20mnths.

It would be wonderful to have a school & kindy within walking distance and places (beach/picnic sites etc) to go at weekends and after school that are not too difficult to access. The kids would also like a gymnastics club.

Transport - it would be great to be able to live with one car, assuming there is good train access to work but I realise this may be unrealistic.

Please help - I don't have as good a feeling about this area as I did about Kapiti. :uhoh

[zardell]

We live in Whakatane.

Lovely coastal resort with beaches to die for, but it takes more than scenery to pay the bills.

Just remember that if you choose a small place to live your work options may be limited much more so than if you were in a larger town or NZ city. Can't go from one job to another here in Whakatane, however much NZIS says that you may be on the Skilled Shortage List.

Whakatane (out of rush hour) is about 1 1/4 hours from both Rotorua (smelly in parts, but lovely) and Tauranga (young, vibrant and wonderful for families IMO)

Just remeber that they used to call Tauranga '$10 Tauranga' which used to relate to the hourly pay, so always remember to negotiate for everything - including your salary however alien to you that may seem.

Good luck with all your plans.

Julie

xx

[Jules]

We live in Rotorua and have done for 3 years now (gosh thats gone fast)....... and still loving it:nice1

It is pretty central, 50 mins to the coast an hour to Hamilton. We have loads of lakes, so plenty of water activities fishing, water skiing etc., Taupo is about an hour away, 2 hours to the ski fields. Loads of touristy things to do.

Like Julie said, it does have its smelly areas but you soon get use to it, we dont even smell it now.

Cant tell you about the schools as we don't have children.

Jules

[Park City Partner]

We are moving to Papamoa (Tauranga) and are "remodeling" a house which is 2 blocks from the beach and 500m to a really good school and preschool. A good walk to Fashion Island (shops) but walkable. I think it would be hard to live there without a car. I am really looking forward to leaving Auckland (2.5 hours away)and starting a new life there as I can see it being fantastic.

[JoanneG]

Thanks for your replies guys. Done some more research of my own too and feeling heaps better about the area. Especially the weather! The Coromandel sounds lovely too.

I'm coming from a village with nothing but a pub. Nearest preschool 2 miles, nearest school 2 miles - in opposite direction, nearest shopping 6 miles. Nice countryside (seen from the car half the time!) but village life not what it used to be. Same problems as many UK towns with drink and drugs and the chances of seeing a policeman out here are around the same as seeing shocking pink duck. Kids used to play out but can't anymore since the smoking ban as hard drinking, swearing pub goers are now OUTside. Most villagers divided into 2 groups, church goers or pub goers and we fall into neither category. One or two nice neighbours though - ay Carey?!

I love the sound of being able to walk to schools (and beaches :yes) - don't mind driving for shopping - need car boot for carrying stuff home. :laugh

:cheers