[Kanga]

One of the reasons we moved where we did first time round was because it is a cheaper area of NZ. If we're seriously going to think about giving NZ another go, then I can't say our decisions until now have strengthened our financial position!!! I'm drawn to the Waikato because I felt isolated in HB and love BoP (family there) and the whole geothermal thing gives me endless joy (plus I have a lifetime pass to Wai-o-Tapu on account of 'enthusiastically' bringing endless family there!) and I want to be able to access everywhere more easily.

I'm thinking cheap streets of somewhere decent rather than big house in run down suburb. Is Cambridge a possibility with those considerations? How commutable to Hamilton is it- both the uni and hospital?

[Kanga]

PS- NOT looking to buy, we're resigned to renting!

[Sam B]

Well, there aren't many cheap streets in Cambridge to be honest, but there are some areas that cost less than others. Cambridge is split in 2 by the river, and roughly one side is slightly cheaper than the other. The Leamington side of Cambridge, which is the other side of the river from the CBD is the cheaper side, and there are some cheaper properties to be had here, although there are still lots of pricey ones too.

Cambridge is quite a quick commute to Hamilton - about 20 minutes to the outskirts of Hamilton and then another 10-20 to the hospital, depending on the time of day and the traffic.

You might want to look at Te Awamutu, another very nice town approx 20 mins from Hamilton which is cheaper than Cambridge. I am biased, so I don't think it's quite as nice as Cambridge, not as many trees and old villas, but people that live there like it a lot and there is no difference to the commute and it brings you into the right part of Hamilton for the hospital.

Hope that helps.

[Kanga]

That's very helpful, thank you :)

[Carey]

Lots of properties to rent in Cambridge atm, eg 3 bedroom plus office in Cambridge East ofr $370 per week; 4 bed in Camb east $285 per week ; 3 bed Camb east $265 per week or 3 bed Leamington $280. Quite a bit of choice just in local paper, Real Estate agents would have more.

[Sam B]

PS I've just changed my mind and think you should defo move to Cambridge - sod Te Awamutu.... :D

[Kanga]

:laugh



Thanks Carey- that's very useful and sounds quite affordable :nice1

If those are the cheaper areas of Cambridge do you know if the primary schools are reasonable? Leamington looks fine from the website but on the ground opinion is invaluable. I know Leamington feeds into the middle school, which I particularly like the sound of because my poor wee 11 yr old could actually stay at one school for a few years, rather than changing again after 2 at intermediate.

[Kim39]

PS I've just changed my mind and think you should defo move to Cambridge - sod Te Awamutu.... :D

Now now Sam, there ain't nothing wrong with the old rose town

Kim

[Carey]

Leamington school seems fine; I've had a day there volunteering and was very impressed with the teaching. Very young Principal who was at the Anzac service this am with several kids who looked proud as punch to be there with him; they were the only primary school there. The school is often in the local paper; eg. they recently changed the time of a regular big event so that more parents could attend, they often do charity events and so on. The social mix is wider than in some other local schools but I think this is a positive. However the school does have some less than favourable press along with Leamington generally but not seen any evidence myself.

Not sure what you mean about your 11 yr old as she/he would go straight into middle school anyway?

Do ask anything else?

[Kanga]

Thanks Carey- heaps of useful info there :) I guess I was thinking that it would be an advantage to be in catchment for the middle school because then my 11 yr old would have a run before needing to change schools, but Sam has informed me that most parents use the middle school for the intermediate yrs and then transfer their kids to high, so she'd be moving school again anyway.

Leamington is larger than I think ideal, particularly for our youngest daughter, but then the school atmosphere and ethos are more important than the size and we've got to be realistic about affordable areas for us, so it's definitely one to consider.

Do you know anything about the other primary schools in Cambridge Carey? Or anyone else?

Thanks heaps :)

Kim- do you live in Te Amawatu? If so, what do you think of the town?

[colandros]

I have a friend who teaches at lemington primary and says its very good.
other friends kids go to cambridge primary and also love it.
lemington is nice but its not as nice as cambridge east (where the schools are)