[NicT]

Hi everyone

We are leaving for NZ on 23 Jan, and have our hearts set on Titirangi, and the primary school in Titirangi. My only concern is that quite a few people have said it is very damp. As we have a young daughter with mild asthma, we are a bit worried. If we had a sunny, dry house on the northern slopes, will we be OK? Someone said it rains there every day. Is this true?

If we don't settle in Titirangi, are there any areas like it around Auckland? We like a rural, native bush setting and excellent schools, with a beach close by. All comments much appreciated.

[JandM]

My family live in Titirangi. I've had two six-week visits there, one in spring and one in winter. Not even then did it rain every day. When there was rain, it could be torrential, but then stop after five minutes and you'd have bright sun. We're hoping to live somewhere there, or anyway, just to the west in the Waitakeres.

You need to be aware of humidity, both because the lovely native bush attracts rainfall when the westerly winds come in, and because it holds the moisture. For this reason, when we emigrate, we'll be choosing a house that does not have trees close up, and leaning right over it. Houses in airy places do exist, and can be fine. (I assume you know about matters of heating and insulation which strike many incomers as being low priority in NZ houses - if not, do a search on 'cold houses'.) When you're looking round to buy, watch for signs like mould or water stains, troughs under windows to cope with condensation, lots of dehumidifiers standing about. Those last are necessary (and work well) if you don't have a choice but to cope for a while, but they're not want I'd want to be needing on a year in, year out basis.

When it does rain on the western side of Auckland, it can be pretty spectacular - this is when you remember that the climate is said to be sub-tropical, and that that lovely bush is rain forest! It THROWS it down. However, it can be over very quickly. The saying is, 'If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes.' When my son was first over there, he said on the phone, 'We've had all four seasons today, and a few extra ones in between.'

Go and have a look. I don't think you need to be put off.

[Nienke]

I live in Titirangi, and I don't think it rains more here than f.e. on the north shore.
Our house does have bush close to it, but as we have a well insulated and heated house with lots of sun, we have no problems with dampness. We don't even own a dehumidifier! (by the way, our house is for sale....:D)
When you buy/rent a house, make sure it gets lots of sun, and put your nose into the wardrobes when buying in summer. Take a good sniff in a wardrobe and you know if the house is damp or not!

[jeffanar]

Someone said it rains there every day. Is this true?

Definitely not! I lived in Titirangi for about 14 years (and my parents still do) and it was less damp than where I am living now.

Houses can be very damp often because trees close to the house block the sun - one side of a road can be full of damp houses and the other lovely and sunny!

You just have to be careful when you are looking for your house, make sure you get something north facing, well insulated, and with a bit of clearing so you get some sun!

[NicT]

Thank you for your reassuring replies! Yay - all systems go, and we will be leaving SA and arriving in Titirangi this weekend. Quite a surreal feeling!

[smudgerand4]

[QUOTE=NicT;271545].
Hi there

We were initially looking at the west when we planned the move from the UK. I was however informed that travelling to work could be difficult being employed in the Manukau area. Having been out here for several months this is not necessarily true but depends on what time you need to get to work. I know several guys who live in the Titirangi area and some have said that it can be a little dark because of the bush cover and it can be damper but it certainly does not rain every day. I drive out there quite a lot and it is lovely and the traffic is only difficult at the obvious times; other than that it can take around 20-30 mins to drive from Titirangi to where I work and that is in a large Tanker, to give you some idea! We actually live on the eastern side of Auckland near to Half Moon Bay which is also very nice and has plenty of rural areas around the Howick region. The other thing to think of is that the beaches and tides are a lot milder on the eastern side than the west providing safer paddling / swimming for children. Tides on the west can be very strong and care has to be taken. Most of the schools on this side are decile 10 level and the choices are brilliant. However Titirangi is very quaint and is lovely but it is also attractive to holiday makers so this could be another issue. On the plus side the scenery is breathtaking but you will find this true most of the Auckland region which changes from city to rural bush and mountain in just a few minutes driving! Good luck

[JandM]

The other thing to think of is that the beaches and tides are a lot milder on the eastern side than the west providing safer paddling / swimming for children.(Mentioning this for the sake of anyone who hasn't been.) And/But depending on what you want to do on any particular day, you can easily get to any number of different beaches quickly from anywhere in Auckland. Also, although Titirangi is a western district of Auckland, its own beaches open eastwards onto Manukau harbour, so you've got those nearby for when you want a quieter time, with children or fishing perhaps, and also the wilder west-coast beautiful black sand ones only slightly further away if you want the surf, kite-flying, etc..

[smudgerand4]

[QUOTE=JandM;273475
Absolutely, could`nt agree more. Sorry about the reference to the real western beaches..........I forgot that Titirangi does open on to the Manukau harbour which is also lovely and reasonably sheltered. There is of course new motorway links being built between the "West" and the rest of "civilisation" so travelling should be a lot easier by next year.