[kidco]

What are the areas/suburbs of Wellington that are good for getting around and doing the day-to-day errands on foot?

Specifically, I am wondering about which neighbourhoods have commercial areas that are like this: shops along the sidewalks, and places like a library, post office, good grocery store, etc - that are walkable, as opposed to malls surrounded by parking lots.

I've heard that Wellington is, by NZ standards, a good city in this respect. So, which are the areas that are like this?

Thanks,

Kidco

[Anita & Marco]

Hi Kidco

My best guess would be: Island Bay

Anita

[IanW99]

What are the areas/suburbs of Wellington that are good for getting around and doing the day-to-day errands on foot?

Specifically, I am wondering about which neighbourhoods have commercial areas that are like this: shops along the sidewalks, and places like a library, post office, good grocery store, etc - that are walkable, as opposed to malls surrounded by parking lots.

I've heard that Wellington is, by NZ standards, a good city in this respect. So, which are the areas that are like this?

Thanks,

Kidco

Many towns in NZ are like you describe, more american than UK in this respect.

Shopping malls around Wellington are probably nothing like you are thinking, generally quite small and at one side of the 'main street'.

The only large mall in the whole of Wellington region is Queensgate in Lower Hutt.

Most suburbs in Wellington are basically as you describe or at least have an area that is like this even Lower Hutt with its big mall has a similar region. The only two suburbs that I can think of that don't have this layout are the CBD and Porirua (sure others will tell me more).

I would say the closest to your description, would probably be Tawa (but sure that there are many more).

Ian

[gpbenton]

You probably want to avoid the hills of the West and Northern suburbs, but most places have everything you need to get to on foot.

[barryp]

Hmm, I'm a pretty avid walker and take great pleasure in not being a car slave. But there really aren't all that many places in Wellington *inner suburbs* that meet your stated criteria, simply because the clusters of shopping are very small - a dairy, a takeway, and a few other small storefronts.

I agree with Anita - Island Bay sounds like a good match. So does Thorndon, which is also extremely close to city centre. Your description also matches one slice of Karori too, though most parts of Karori are low-density and completely automobile-oriented.

You might find good food for thought here:
http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/wellington.html

[ellenmelon]

kilbirnie is really good...has a post office, two stationary shops,two supermarkets,shoe shop, couple of cafe's,gym,pharmacy, clothing store (farmers)..i think its pretty handy having a good wee center so close to where i live so I dont have to go all the way into town all the time...newtown is pretty good for this too. any flat areas attract a lot of shops from the looks of things! :)

[Mels]

How about cycling?
I know Wellington is on a bunch of hills, but if you lived in Karori and cycled to the local shops are there placed to leave your bike safely,or even in the CBD, TE Papa etc. We saw loads of cyclists in the evening around the bays exercising in groups,so I know peolpe cycle but never thought to look for cycling friendly parking spots etc. Do people cycle around towns?

[kidco]

Thanks to all for the informative replies!

I'm wondering as well about areas outside of Wellington proper - beyond the city's own suburbs, which might well be just too dear for us to afford. What about the areas up the Kapiti Coast, and also up the Hutt Valley and over? Are these pdestrian and bike-friendly, and how do they compare $$$-wise to central Wellington?

Kind regards,

Rob

[twinkledoc]

Hi Rob,
Porirua, particularly whitby is good for walks and cycling. We just bought a house there. Not been here long though, but have spent alot of my time driving around wellington and outskirts trying to find a suitable place to live.