[Sunkissed]

Let's say you have the opportunity to live in both of these areas. If you received dream job offers from companies in both locations, which would you choose to live and work in? Why?

[Potato]

Nelson, IMO.

I'm sure property prices are more in Nelson though.

However, I think Nelson has the perfect mix of mountains and beaches, ideal for the outdoors lifestyle. I don't think the beaches in Northland are better than those in Nelson apart from the relative lack of sandflies and wasps (in my experience anyway). Also, the water is a bit warmer in Bay of Islands but they do get less sunshine.
Nelson infrastructure is better in the local area. Neither is very close to a "big city", with BoI being maybe 4 hours from Auckland, and Nelson about the same from Christchurch (probably more).
I'd say there's much more to do in the Nelson region and that would weigh heavily in favour. Winter air pollution and some pretty chilly nights wouldn't spoil this.

Climate wise:
Nelson vs BoI
Sunshine hours 2500 vs 2000
Summer daytime 23C vs 25C
Winter daytime 16C vs 13C

BoI is muggier for sure and has a longer "swimming season".

[kowhai]

I agree with the above. 30 minute flight to Wellington.

[Potato]

Sorry got winter daytime the wrong way. 13C in Nelson, 16C in Bay of Islands.

[Red Devil]

Only spent a day in each area, so maybe not long enough to make full judgement, however Nelson does it more for us than Bay of Islands. Just wish we had time to visit the Abel Tasman area... just have to fit it in when we've moved over :D

[migratory birds]

Something to keep in mind about Nelson is the possibility of heavy agricultural pesticide use. We stayed in Motueka (just a few km's down the road) for a few days, big apple growing region. The ENTIRE town surrounded by orchards, school are notified by growers when aerial sprays will take place so they can keep windows closed and kids inside. Not what I'd want to be living near.

I know Nelson is also heavy ag production area so it may be something to consider.

No comment on BoI - haven't been...

[Sunkissed]

Thanks for your honest opinions everyone. Your info has been helpful. I'll need to tour the islands to get a better idea of where I'd like to settle down. I do know that I prefer a town that's warm all year round, has tons of sunshine, great beaches, plenty of bush for tramping, opportunities to go kayaking/canoing, a decent town center, and a place to buy organic food (that I am not growing at the time).


Something to keep in mind about Nelson is the possibility of heavy agricultural pesticide use. We stayed in Motueka (just a few km's down the road) for a few days, big apple growing region. The ENTIRE town surrounded by orchards, school are notified by growers when aerial sprays will take place so they can keep windows closed and kids inside. Not what I'd want to be living near.

I know Nelson is also heavy ag production area so it may be something to consider.

No comment on BoI - haven't been...

Ok, now this definitely turns me off of Nelson. I know that Nelson is a farming/agricultural town so that means there's probably air/water contamination at times (or all the time). I'm not cool with this.

[kowhai]

Try the Coromandel Peninsula.:nice1 Although I wouldn't say Thames has a buzzing town centre.

[bartons]

I'd definitely go for the Nelson area. I lived in the BoI for 3 months and in the Nelson area for 2. Unless you're passionate about sailing there's not much going on in the BoI. Much more choice in Nelson. I also couldn't cope with the humidity in the BoI; Nelson was much less humid. I don't remember sandflies inland in the Nelson area, although the beaches were full of them (however, that's 15 years ago, maybe I don't remember them); in the BoI however they were everywhere, not just on the beaches, mozzies too.
There's lots of fruit growing/orchards going on in the BoI, especially around Kerikeri, so I would expect loads of pesticides in use there,too.

[Potato]

Thanks for your honest opinions everyone. Your info has been helpful. I'll need to tour the islands to get a better idea of where I'd like to settle down. I do know that I prefer a town that's warm all year round, has tons of sunshine, great beaches, plenty of bush for tramping, opportunities to go kayaking/canoing, a decent town center, and a place to buy organic food (that I am not growing at the time).[quote]

Nelson meets this better than BoI, IMO. Organic growing is quite strong in both regions, however, I think Nelson has a greater range of produce that is grown there. BoI is somewhat limited by the lack of frost (in general) and the high humidity, and the lower sunshine hours than Nelson.
"Warm all year round" is very subjective :) If the figures I quoted about Nelson don't scare you you'll be fine. 13C for a daytime high in winter is really very pleasant, especially since it's often so sunny. In summer it can and does get pretty hot. Unlikely to be over 30C unless you go inland, *however*, the thing about NZ is that the sun is a real killer. I can be soaking up the sun in 20C in New Zealand and get so hot that I need to get into the water to cool off. In the UK, this would not happen. The determining factor here is the sun. It is very strong. I remember seeing a scientific article comparing the sun in NZ vs the sun in the US. Basically, in the US if you want to get the same consistently high UV *and* the frequency of it exceeding UVI14, the only thing you can do is go about 3000m up the mountains.
The sun in New Zealand is more akin in strength to the tropics than temperate latitudes.




[quote]Ok, now this definitely turns me off of Nelson. I know that Nelson is a farming/agricultural town so that means there's probably air/water contamination at times (or all the time). I'm not cool with this.

There is a bit of controversy around the area for sure. Best ask someone who's lived there for a while. I can't remember the exact issues. Spraying is definitely one (*in* Nelson city it's not a problem though), also something about a sewage works at Mapua, general industry at Richmond and so on.

[thezorbster]

Spraying does happen around the orchards, vineyards etc but these are not everywhere and not all are aerial sprayed. Nelson City has very little agriculture around it - sea on one side, hills, mainly forested on the other. I would not say spraying is a major problem, most vineyards are small, boutique vineyards, not huge areas going on for hectares and hectares. Some of the orchards are large however but mainly around Mot & the Richmond plains. Motueka is around 50 mins from Nelson so don't be put off Nelson by agriculture elsewhere in the district.

Re the choice between BOI or here - guess where! Nelson is really only a town, not a city but there is a fair bit going on, lots of summer events, jazz festivals, kite festivals, buskers festivals. 3 national parks within 1 1/2 hrs offering different types of outdoor delights - skiing, kayaking, walking. I have a friend who spent 3 years in BOI and they moved here and have no regrets - there is so much more to do here but still lots of unspoilt areas to explore. Humidity is virtually non existent - it's been a really pleasant heat all summer and is still around 18-20 during the day at the moment. I have to say I haven't really been troubled by sandflies too much around here either and I am normally a feast for them. They are there but I haven't seen huge swarms of them like elsewhere.

Someone mentioned air pollution - all open fires have been banned by the council and have had to be replaced by clean air fires/burners so this should cut down on the problem which wasn't huge anyway.

[Sunkissed]

Try the Coromandel Peninsula.:nice1 Although I wouldn't say Thames has a buzzing town centre.
I'll look into the Coromandel & Thames also. Thanks for bringing it up.

In summer it can and does get pretty hot. Unlikely to be over 30C unless you go inland, *however*, the thing about NZ is that the sun is a real killer. I can be soaking up the sun in 20C in New Zealand and get so hot that I need to get into the water to cool off.
I actually look forward to the heat & sunshine. My family's from the Caribbean so I'm use to soaking up the sun. :cool: I don't think I can ever get use to living in cold weather. I also look forward to not ever having to shovel snow again...Not that it's bad but, I'd like to experience snow less and warm winters for a change.

I don't remember sandflies inland in the Nelson area, although the beaches were full of them (however, that's 15 years ago, maybe I don't remember them); in the BoI however they were everywhere, not just on the beaches, mozzies too.
Thanks for pointing out the sandfly and mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes have always loved me, and I'm sure the sandflies would feel the same. So, this is also something I must seriously consider. Based on what I've been reading (books & you guys) and seeing (You Tube videos) about NZ towns and cities, BOI really doesn't have much to offer...especially to someone in their mid-20s. I'm sure it's a sailor's dream come true though.

Nelson is really only a town, not a city but there is a fair bit going on, lots of summer events, jazz festivals, kite festivals, buskers festivals. 3 national parks within 1 1/2 hrs offering different types of outdoor delights - skiing, kayaking, walking.
Yes, I'd prefer to live in a town so Nelson's size is perfect. One of the main reasons I'm leaning towards Nelson is because of the Parks & Forests in close proximity. I really enjoy being outdoors so this location would suit me for long-term living.

Thanks for your advice guys!