[nickbraddock]

Hi all,
when I looked into migration to New Zealand, I always fancied the smaller cities as opposed to Auckland as I currently live in the country near a small market town in Cumbria approx 20 miles from Carlisle.
I have been in contact with a person in the same work as me in NZ who has told me of a job in Auckland that I would stand a good chance of getting if I apply.
My concerns are that if I get it, I may end up living in a city which I did not really want to do. The biggest concern for me is my 6 year old son as I don't want to move around schools as he will find one move hard enough
I need to really think hard as to whether I go for the post (a really good job) or not and wait until I get PR (hopefully without a job offer) and move to Wellington/Christchurch etc without.
Some may say take the job but I really could do with some very honest oppinions about Auckland and surrounding areas, ie will I be able to live somewhere that feels like the country or will I have to live in a suburb?? What is the city like compared with Manchester/Birmingham?? Does it take a long time to travel to work through the traffic??

I would appreciate any honest opinions from anyone that has moved to Auckland from a similar location (or anyone with kids) well anyone! that hopefully help me with my decision. My wife and I were having a discussion about this into the early hours and are desperate not to make a mistake when we move as we do not want to have to move to another city if Auckland is not for us.

Thanks in advance
Nick

[Diny]

Nick

Having never actually lived in Auckland I can't comment on what it's like on an everyday basis. I understand that the outer suburbs are fine and some even have a 'village' feel about them. In fact some of the residential areas are really nice places to settle.

However, in my VERY humble opinion, the actual city is like any other city in the world and should be avoided at all costs !!!!!! :eek

Diny

[wayne]

Having lived and worked in Auckland it has to be one of the prettiest cities ,but a city none the less the traffic at rush hour is a nightmare,it can be dirty and run down in places but 20 minutes drive you can be in the most beautiful of places,
I havent lived in NZ for 20 years but am going back this year and Auckland is where we will be going,,, well the Hibiscus coast to be precise

[captainxmas]

Nick

We have been having the same discussions, as a last minute opportunity has come storming through.

It's funny, because 10 days ago when we were sitting in Auckland airport it seemed like the easiest thing in the world and Auckland would be a damn sight finer than being surrounded by Wycombe, Slough, Reading etc. There is definately a sense of perception with traffic and cleanliness and when you are there the differences between the grime we are used to in London are apparent.

At the end of the day it at least you are getting an opportunity to be in NZ and at the top end of the Property market, so any future moves into quieter areas will be sweeter. It's not like you have to stay there forever and after spending last weekend at a trade show in Docklands I certainly won't be first to complain about Auckland being crowded and congested.

Good Luck :hopeso

[Dave & Sandra]

Nick

Do you live in Brampton? I lived in Carlisle for a couple of years and then moved to Brampton.

[Babette & Andy]

Nick,
Thanks for asking the exact question that we're toying with too. Our wish is to get to Chch, but jobs in the IT sector seem to push us more towards Wellington and even Auckland. Having a (nearly) 6 and a 2 yr old, we have similar worries about uprooting too many times, schools, friends etc.

It's hard to know what to do, when like you our overal aim is to get to NZ. Agree with above comments: - Once we're there we can always move to a more countrified area, but don't see this happening for a number of years once we've made the move.

Very tricky to figure out what the best thing is to do. Have you found out where the job would be? Is it in the centre or already in one of the suburbs? Linda & Ali, seem to have settled in well after only 1month there. Maybe have a chat / PM with them about some more detail.

Best of luck with your decission, I'm sure it'll be the right one - I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason :nice1 .

Babette

[Tate6]

We are in similar situation. We live now in a rural country area, about 1 hour from a medium-sized city. I don't mind living near a large city as I like the ammentities. But DH hates cities!! :eek As of now, our best option for work for him is in Auckland!! :wah
I know he will hate having to venture into the city for work everyday--especially from what has been said here of traffic. But I figure also, that if we can put up with it for a while until he finds something else on South Island-which is where we want to be-then we will get through it. I hope!! :hopeso
If it gets us over to NZ, it has to be worth it in the end, right?? :uhoh

Terry

[Tash]

We've lived in Birmingham and Auckland. Firstly, Auckland is nothing like Birmingham. It's a truly beautiful city, with easy access to stunning countryside and lots of things to do. However, it is a big city with big city problems, especially the traffic. But there are a number of lovely suburbs close to the city, which have good schools, parks. A lot of Aucklanders hate the city though, but I think that's because they hate all cities. If that's you, you'd best look for something else.

We moved to Auckland thinking it was our best chance for jobs, but 18 months later we find ourselves in Christchurch. Still a city, much smaller though, some trafiic problems. It is lovely though, and might just be winning my award for best NZ city - but will have to wait till winter for the final poll.

[westi]

We've been in West Auckland for 3 1/2 yrs now. It's a large and very diverse area with every thing you might need from beaches, country side, shopping, entertainment. You just need to pick your area according to what you want.
As mentioned, traffic into the city is bad during peak times. It takes me 50 minutes to get into work but if you relax and listen to the radio, look at the view it's not too bad !

[lindajax]

Hi all,
As a newbie to auckland before getting here my concerns mirrored everyone else - once here the differences between this city and london for instance are quite big.

It seems cleaner in the city - but still is full of the usual city grim - just appears less of it to me.

we live in the Eastern suburbs, surrounded by beaches and with very good schools - it doesn't feel like a city suburb - no terraced housing in this area and I do feel it is much nicer than the city surburbs in UK.

Yes there is traffic at peak times But in my opinion not as bad a peak times UK.
Yes there are poorer areas But hopefully you won't be living in one of them!
It does have crime - but doesn't everywhere. It is not as rife here though ( My local paper for our suburb had 7 burglaries reported last week and it covers quite a large area so thats not so bad.

I agree with the comment that it is all a matter of perception. BUT also a matter of positivity and willingness to adapt and compromise.
It is not like the UK and one just has to adapt and get on with it!

Hope this may help any of you pleas feel free to PM me for anything else but as I say I'm a newbie only being here just over a month so MY view may be a little biased still.

Love
Linda xxx

[nickchilli]

most people down here refer to aucklanders as jafa's :just another f***ing aucklander , so i guess there not to popular with the majority of the population ,

useless infomation :cool

[shagen]

Interesting so many of us have the same "problem".

Until a week ago, I was quite certain that we will settle in Chirstchurch. Since we have firmed our trip to NZ in March, I started contacting recruitment agencies and employers. The feedback I am getting now is that if you want a job, get to Auckland or Wellington.

I found that emails don't really work as effective as picking up the phone and call. I had some appointments which got me out of bed at 4am! But was well worth it. Over the phone, people are a lot more accomodating to questions than emails.

I have PMed some of you on your views about life in Wellington and Auckland. The response we got was not what we expected. I must admit, our first impression of Auckland (based purely on reading) was not very positive. That will have to change now.

I will now have to make alterations to our trip and stop over at Wellington or Auckland at some stage as I have lined up some interviews. I am trying my best to get there with an open mind so that we see the city as how it shodul be seen and not be clouded by what we thought it would be!

We too have 2 young children, one school going. So, we are concerned about schools and suburbs as well. Moving is hard for everyone especially so for kids. Our son changed schools almost every year since he started pre-school (due to my travels) and we feel sad to see him make friends but only to loose them and find new ones every year. Kids are not like us adults. We can find ways to express our frustration and unhappiness. He finds it hard to express how he feels in words and often shows that in his actions.

Shagen

[funkstar deluxe]

I've been living in Auckland for 15 days or so. I was brought up in Somerset and moved to London, where I had been for 5 or 6 yrs.

I dont plan to stay in Auckland, we really wanted to get to Wellington but when a job offer came up, we took it. In a year or two we'll try to head down there - we see our situation in AKl very much as stage 1 or a 2 stage plan

Anywhere outside the city (we live in Ponsonby) is relaxed, pretty clean and happy. Traffic is abit busy at times but nothing compared to anything Ive seen in London.
We dont have a car yet anyway, so I walk or catch the bus.

i laugh when I think our daily commute is an hour long breakfast at a coffee shop and 10 mins walk in the sunshine

I wasnt that impressed with Auckland on my brief trip here during a holiday but now Im here, I think its fantastic. There are quiet places all around and within a short distance. A guy at work lives in Browns Bay on the North Shore, its rural as anything 5 mins from the motorway.

I know you have you family to consider but getting here is the important thing. I would take this opportunity while you can or forever wonder what if.