[CJ22]

It's not a serious plan, but this notion appealed to me.

If you couple this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/link.aspx?i=6552

with this:

http://www.huf-haus.com/gb/04_00_musterhaeuser.html

or this:

http://www.mbarkk.co.uk/

You could achieve a dream island home for very little money indeed. NZ$300K for the land, plus another £70K Sterling maybe for the house plus shipping and assembly, and you have a stunning (and well-built) house in a great location - all you have to do is decide on which boat you want to buy. it wouldn't add too much to the price to ship from Germany or Finland, and you get the benefit of...well...how can I put this...it's German-built not Kiwi-built :) There's a Finnish company who do cheaper houses than the Huf houses, and Ikea are going to be doing flat-pack houses soon also.

I have a friend who used to work in mortgages, and he says these houses have a very good rep from a lender's point-of-view.

You'd have to put some effort into making the place self-sufficient. Rain-water reclamation system, generator etc.. But not paying utility companies is a worthwhile project in itself.

[Alan]

http://www.baufritz.co.uk/ these people were on channel 4 last night building an interesting house in Bath would be stunning I think in NZ.

[Jennispink]

This is what we are hoping to do long term

Check out this link
http://www.buildyourdream.co.nz/

The whole idea is very tempting:yes

[Mels]

Well done for getting that link Alan. I saw the programme but missed the crucial bit. Putting that website to 'favourites'!!!!!

Mels

[Lupin]

What's wrong with Kiwi-built homes?

http://www.eehnz.com/

[LesleyS]

I saw a Huf Haus on 'Grand Designs' - talk about a 'precision build' - awesome!

[Mels]

Haven't had the luck to find out yet Lupin, but working on it :yes

The house on Channel 4 last night just looked fantastic with curly shapes and open spaces. It seemed to be a quick put together house with ready made walls etc. But my ears really pricked up when they said the gas bill for heating another house with the same structure was something like £4.50 over winter!!!:) It was really well insulated with recycled material.

We have always liked the idea on building our own house and I like open spaces with lots of glass so NZ house plans look good to me. Just to confuse, I also like old houses with character - so who knows.

We haven't got through the stress of getting to NZ yet and here I am lining up another stressful time. :exit

Mels

[CJ22]

The German outfits are kit-builds, and ultra energy efficient, as you'd expect for houses designed for climates that swing between very hot and very cold. It seems that this is the Achilles heel of Kiwi builders, energy efficiency and houses that can handle old weather. They've never had to raise their game.

[Super_BQ]

I hate to say but I would be bored sick living on an island after a few days. It's too remote but I suppose for the certain anti-social? person that would be fantastic. Routine trips into Auckland can be expensive for food and necessities. The issue of medical access (ie in case of a heart attack) would be a tast to get to the hospital in time - unless you can fly?

What's more difficult to find is a safe neighborhood where everyone knows each other and is friendly and more importantly, they look out for each other. No more of these high built fences in the front yard, no more of these local property speculators that move in a house and sell it for a nice gain after a few years. Neighbors that really care how their house looks - and ready to help those that aren't able. When you sum it all up, sure $ can buy the Fantasy Island but rarely, a very good place to live.

BQ

[Smiler]

The issue of medical access (ie in case of a heart attack) would be a tast to get to the hospital in time - unless you can fly?

BQ

A friend of ours had a heart attack on Waiheke Island, although he didn't realise it at the time. Clutching his chest, he crawled to the hotel reception and asked them to call a doctor.

The hotel called for the air ambulance and he was in Auckland Hopsital within 35 mins, in the OR within 2 hours and is now the proud owner of a shiny new stent and a lifetime supply of pills. :D He said it was fantastic treatment and he was even awake enough to enjoy the chopper ride.

[dusk]

I hate to say but I would be bored sick living on an island after a few days. It's too remote but I suppose for the certain anti-social person that would be fantastic.
Well that's us put firmly in our place :laugh