[3littlepikes]

Hello

I have been looking at this sight for some time now and have decided to take the plunge as I have been offered a job in the bay of plenty .

We have decided to go for pr as I should be automatically selected - my OH , 3 kids 8,6,and 4 and a dog will be making the journey !

I would be very grateful for information on Tauranga versa Whakatane as I have the opportunity to choose either place to work .
I have done lots of research and am very interested in information regarding schools in both areas . The decile levels of schools in Whakatane seem lower however this area appeals more as we are not used to city life ( albeit NZ city life ) .I have been told people with young families tend to settle better in this area and the houses appear cheaper .

Any advise gratefully recieved :cheers

[Moorf]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the job - here's the first of many bananas!! :raebanana

Can't help re locations but I'm sure someone will be along soon :yes

Good Luck!
Moorf

[Kim39]

Maybe Zardell will pop in and pick this thread up as she'll be able to give you the lowdown on Whakatane, as she lived there for a while before picking up sticks and shifting to Oz:mad:


Kim

[zardell]

Maybe Zardell will pop in and pick this thread up as she'll be able to give you the lowdown on Whakatane, as she lived there for a while before picking up sticks and shifting to Oz:mad:


Kim



Why the angry face Kim ?

You're missing me aren't you.....:laugh But I promised Elaine I'd accompany her on a trip to White Island and I will.

Now, 3littlepikes, I can't tell you anything about the schools as all our kids are grown up with families of their own back in the UK, but ask away on any other subject and I'll try to help - PM me if you prefer - not a problem.

I do know that Papamoa is very family orientated which is why it wouldn't have been suitable for us - been there, done that.

One of the problems with Whakatane from my point of view was that although it only took about an hour or so to get to either Tauranga or Rotorua I felt a little isolated.

Whakatane is a lovely, small (by UK standards) tourist resort and very beautiful, however I personally need to be nearer to a larger 'city' (read UK sized town) and all the benefits on offer there.

If you want to PM me with some specifics feel free.

edited: to say that you'll have to make 5 posts before you can PM.

Julie

xx

[oldringer]

Not an easy choice. Over the last 10 years I have visited my son in Te Puke a number of times and have therefore been to Tauranga and Whakatane a number of times. Taurange is good for shopping but too big for my taste. When ever we could we went to Whakatane for a relaxed day out and always enjoyed it, it does have a good selcetion of shops and they have a new out of time shopping area that is very good and growing.

I would think that Zardells suggestion of Papamoa is very good, it has new shopping area and some very nice houseing. You can then still go to Whakatane along the lovely coast road drive.

Paul

[kowhai]

Have you taken a look at the Education Review Office reports on the schools in Whakatane ? Please do not be put off by the lower decile ratings. Low decile schools can be very good schools indeed. I think I would be more concerned about the childrens secondary school options in Whakatane - but that is not an immediate concern for you.
Whakatane is a pleasant enough seaside town . Housing is more affordable than Tauranga - no doubts about that.
The public hospital is small and a decent amount of general surgery is undertaken there. Rumours abound about the long term viability of the hospital though. Just something else to consider.
Whakatane is a little too small and isolated for me. Might be just right for you though !
NB:
Loads of families settle very comfortably and easily into Tauranga.

[janrzm]

Hi
Don't know anything about Whakatane but we visted Tauranga for a week in April.We also visited 5 primary schools whilst we were there. [ We have 4 kids ages 8,8,6, & 4] so were looking at the same age range.
I personally liked what I saw. The kids especially liked all the outdoor space & play equipment! The kids can actually play at playtime! Nearly all had It suites,libraries & a pool.
The schools were various decile rates - my least favourite school was actually the highest decile rating.

[LesleyS]

Whakatane is smaller, and a little isolated for me, though quite picturesque.

I'm not sure I could describe Tauranga as 'too big' - no way!
At the end of the day, you will probably find more 'choice' here with regards to schooling, both primary and secondary.

[zardell]

Housing is more affordable than Tauranga - no doubts about that.
.


Do you think so?

Now, I found them to be on a similar par. In actual fact, some houses in Ohope were on a par with Auckland prices according to my Lived-in-Auckland-all-her-life friend who recently moved to Ohope.

Depends what you're looking for I suppose.

Julie

xx

[zardell]

I'm not sure I could describe Tauranga as 'too big' - no way!
At the end of the day, you will probably find more 'choice' here with regards to schooling, both primary and secondary.



Absolutely.

Julie

xx

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Sorry, but can't help being amused by Tauranga being described as a 'city'

OK, it spreads out across a relatively (by NZ standards) large area when you take all the surrounding housing into account, but city, no. Average sized town by UK standards, or big town NZ stylee. We live in Hamilton and struggle to think of that as a city.

You could live 15 minutes out of Tauranga and have your isolation around you at home and be within very easy reach of a town with all the facilities and schooling you would need.

[StevieD]

Have to agree with Sam there, you can easily live just outside these places and get in reasonably easy by UK/Auckland standards, although the main road in to Tauranga is getting a lot busier.....

[kowhai]

Do you think so?

Now, I found them to be on a similar par. In actual fact, some houses in Ohope were on a par with Auckland prices according to my Lived-in-Auckland-all-her-life friend who recently moved to Ohope.

Depends what you're looking for I suppose.

Julie

xx

You're absolutely correct about Ohope prices being expensive - but it is over the hill (and right on the beach ) from Whakatane itself. Ohope beach is a 15 - 20 minute drive from Whakatane township - so very handy.

You will find that house prices in Whakatane itself are generally much more reasonable then Tauranga.

[LesleyS]

You could live 15 minutes out of Tauranga and have your isolation around you at home and be within very easy reach of a town with all the facilities and schooling you would need.


I do live only 7kms from 'the city' as the locals call it, and where we live is quite rural. The only hassle is during peak times getting in and out of the city, but one could not compare this in any way shape or form to the commutes many UK citizens do daily - us included when were we there!

[zardell]

You're absolutely correct about Ohope prices being expensive - but it is over the hill (and right on the beach ) from Whakatane itself. Ohope beach is a 15 - 20 minute drive from Whakatane township - so very handy.

You will find that house prices in Whakatane itself are generally much more reasonable then Tauranga.


Like I say, it depends what you are after and how much you are prepared to spend doesn't it.

What do you think about Coastlands Kowhai?

Julie

xx

[kowhai]

Coastlands looks pretty impressive on the website. Sadly it appears any land within spiting distance of a beach is being developed and boy the prices are way beyond the average Kiwi thats for sure. Gone are the days of the humble family bach at the beach. I reckon the developers must be feeling a tad twitchy in the current economic climate though. Good luck to em.