[KD17]

We are now looking at the Blenheim area and from what I can see it's quite rural. I've looked on a couple of web sites and through some books but wondered if anyone has any experience of being there, visiting or living.

Thanks a bunch.

Keith & Debby

:P

[Tulip]

Sent you a PM

Good luck with your research - have you tried http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/marlboroughexpress/0,,0a6008,00.html

It's the local newspaper for the area and if you put it in your favourites, you could update daily and see what makes news in the area.

Tulip

[jocalla]

We just visited there for a weekend

Found it really nice. Had a really good wander around, couldn't see any horrible areas on first impressions

House prices are pretty good up there too ;)

Chatted to loads of the locals, and all seemed friendly enough, but I find this in most places I have been to in nz so far.

The town has all the things you need, shops etc.

My parents went up there to not long ago, just for a scout about and they formed the same opinion, nothing stood out that they didn't like.

I have spoke to someone on the 'other forum' about areas to live etc, they just said that some people say not to live on the 'other' side of the rail track.......might be more industrial :? But they didn't say any negatives in general though

Joanne

[KD17]

Thank you for your PM Tulip, and your reply Jocalla. I'm warming to the Blenheim/Marlborough idea (no pun regarding hours of sunshine meant ! ;) )

Keith is ex RAF and we are thinking that with his skills this would be a good area as the base is around here, but wanted to know more about it first.

We've got a little while yet and I'm the cautious type (she says, both of us moving to NZ having never visited or knowing anyone who lives there... !) and I want to get to know as much about an area as I can before I go there, don't want any nasty surprises - nice ones are fine though :P

Thanks again.

Keith & Debby

[dave]

Keith I am also ex-RAF we are visiting the area and the base in early April for the same reasons, I'll post the results soonest. Dave

[KD17]

Thanks Dave we'd love to hear how you get on.

Keith & Debby

[toesonthenose]

I drove by that base, the gates were wide open, and a couple of planes sat on the tarmac surrouded by vineyards and orchards. Now that's my kind of military!

[Moorf]

Spooky, my parents best friends from their RAF days are now living in Blenheim (and have done for over 10 yrs now) and she worked at the base for quite some time after they moved there.

One thing they did advise us about Blenheim when we were looking at places to live was that it is an "older" community and not many jobs. Haven't been there yet to visit them so can't comment from personal experience.

Moorf