[Nicola]

Do any of the forum members live in the Hastings area. Or can anyone suggest web sites.

We thought we were heading for Christchurch. But Peter has just applied for a job in Hastings and we would like some info on weather, people, schools etc.

Thanks

Nicola

[Bubbles]

Nicola, these should keep you busy for a while :nice1


http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/hawkes-bay/hawkes-bay---hastings/

http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/

http://www.hb.co.nz/

http://www2.piperpat.co.nz/nz/schools/hb.html

http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/Libraries/


John

[Nicola]

Thanks John the links are really useful.

What I am looking for now is info from people that have visited, or live in the area. The nitty gritty basically.

Peter had a telephone interview last night which seemed to go OK. But as most of our research has been directed at Christchurch, we are a bit unsure of the area.

Nicola

[Rob K]

Nicola,

We visited the area a few weeks ago and found it was very nice. Hastings seems to be a pleasant city. It is more "modern" than Napier, but still has a fair share of Art Deco buildings. The area is quite unique in that you have 3 nice cities to choose from wherever you work: Napier, Hastings or Havelock North. It is very sunny and very warm. Nice beaches, lots of horticulture (especially fruit). I would say that Napier is one of my favorite cities in NZ (and we have seen most of them now). Hastings looks very nice too.

That said, this is all from the eyes of a passing tourist...

Sandrine

[femke]

Hi Nicola,

We live in havelock been here since december, hubby works in hastings. We are renting at the moment, we have just bought a house in havelock, move in in 2weeks, can't wait to be in our own home again. We looked at houses in hastings and napier but decided havelock was for us. Its a small very friendly village (in our views) very hilly, so lots of nice views. Houses on the whole are more expensive here than hastings or napier. I love napier town centre, lots of shops, nice beach, though waimarama and ocean beach are the beaches we visit mostly, hastings centre is not so hot, it just does'nt have the same feeling, if you know what i mean. I have heard a lot of people say most of the english people head for havelock, i have yet to meet them. (maybe i should get out more)
We have a 14yr old daughter she goes to havelock high,i can't really give you my opinion on the school yet as she has only been there since begin feb, but i will say she finds the lessons a bit too easy, we moved here from holland, though she spent 5years at school in telford(west mid)can you believe, she gets the highest marks here in her group for english, and i was worried she would be behind.
The weather here is great except for last week,(lots of rain) but on the whole it seems like its been summer since we arrived here in dec.
Personally i think moving to hawkes bay for us was a good choice, we spent 7weeks in orewa hibiscus coast, when we first arrived in nz, that was what we call our holiday period, we certainly enjoyed it but decided we didn't want to live there.
Well thats enough for now, keep us posted on where you decide to go and if i can help in any way feel free to ask
Moira

[Nicola]

Thanks for the info Moira and Sandrine.

Havelock North or Taradale I think will be the areas we will be heading for, if Peter decides this is the job he wants.

Moira, did your daughter have any problems settleing in at the new school. I would love to here her comments about the area. We have three boys 14, 12 and almost 5. So a teens perspective would be welcome. The 5 year old is only interested in houses with a swimming pool :eek ! I think we might have to buy a big paddleing pool and try and convince him.

How difficult is it to get rented accommodation in the Havelocke North area. We would like to rent for a while first before we settle in. Mind you I have already seen a house I would like to buy.

Hope the move goes smoothly.

Nicola