[kiwi.]

I'm a Kiwi (from Wellington) married to an American, living in Colorado. While I can't really complain about living up in the mountains (between Breck and Vail) I miss Wellington. We're planning on moving back, but for a number of reasons we'll not be able to do it for a little while. When I get bored at work I've been checking out houses etc, and its made me miss home a lot.

So, feel free to remind of all the bad things Wellington has to offer, so I'll feel better about not being there right now! I'll start.

-The wind.
-The rain.
-The wind and the rain!
-Cold, damp houses.
-Apparently suits are only sold in black.
-Too many drunk kids taking over 'our' bars.

Feel free to add more...

[WANZLittles]

crowded?

[kiwi.]

crowded?

Before Colorado we lived in Phoenix. So, crowded, not so much.

[Twig]

I think this thread may be a little thin on replies :o

I don't think I can comment on bad stuff yet, only been here 2 months myself. It's very very wet today though, and very grey.

..but oddly still warm. :)

[BkyMonster]

I got in trouble last time I said I didn't like Wellington so, good luck getting replies!

[Georgebulldog]

Hilly?
I think that covers it so you best be thinking about heading back
Lets face it, it's great here, you can't beat it :nice1

[seattle]

Maybe a better question would be "remind me why not to live in NZ"? :cheers

[RJLink]

Yes, it's a struggle coming up with reasons not to live in Wellington.

I guess it's not the place to live if you're looking for a hot climate. Or if frequent strong winds bother you.

The cold, damp house problem can be fixed or avoided.

And it's true about the drab colour of clothing here. Please come back and help foment a fashion revolution.

[tigerlily]

Yeah, if you hate getting exercise, this is a bad place to move. People seem to like walking, rowing, sailing, biking here. If you are a couch potato you might feel lonely!

[Wooly_Cow]

Not sure I agree about the fashion!.....Down the Courtney / Cuba end of town there are all sorts of fashions, fashion disasters and styles....up towards the Beehive you're going to be a lot drabber granted!

[Wooly_Cow]

Oh and crowded...I think not! Got to be one of the least crowded capital cities (or even big cities for that matter) in the world!

[SarahEDH]

Having grown up in the plains and spent years being able to see up / out / around for long distances, I find Wellington claustrophobic -- the hills and buildings seem to close in on you, esp. in the CBD. I used to get in the car and drive north to the Waiarapa just to see some terrain that felt expansive and open. Probably just a flat-lander issue :o

[Wooly_Cow]

Having grown up in the plains and spent years being able to see up / out / around for long distances, I find Wellington claustrophobic --

Let's be honest compared to the US plains MOST places on earth are going to seem claustrophobic. At least in Wellington you get views over water from most places and great views from the top of those hills!

....but to retrun to the thread ....Remind me why not to live in Wellington.....

....Days like yesterday and today !!! It's pouring down and low cloud - all sports grounds closed....so I'll have to stay in the cafe's, pubs and clubs all weekend.....not so bad then after all!

[kiwi.]

Let's be honest compared to the US plains MOST places on earth are going to seem claustrophobic. At least in Wellington you get views over water from most places and great views from the top of those hills!

....but to retrun to the thread ....Remind me why not to live in Wellington.....

....Days like yesterday and today !!! It's pouring down and low cloud - all sports grounds closed....so I'll have to stay in the cafe's, pubs and clubs all weekend.....not so bad then after all!

I said why NOT to live in Wellington. Also, my wife went to school in Kansas, and I've driven through it a couple of times. As noted, there's pretty much no where else that isn't going to seem crowded compared to that!

[Flutterby]

sorry can't help you there!

[SarahEDH]

The U.S. plains have their cities, too, with varying degrees of density in the built environment, and different topography -- it's not all empty space that is flat as a board, as those in the Missouri Ozarks or Flint Hills of Kansas can confirm. I must have not have expressed the thought very well in my previous post. I meant to give my impression (opinion only, not trying to offend anyone) of feeling closed-in by the particular building patterns and landforms of Wellington's CBD and surrounds. I don't get that impression in Auckland or most other bigger NZ cities, none of which can be compared to the U.S. Midwest. (The plains of Canterbury probably come closest.)

[RJLink]

Yes, that's one of the features of Wellington that makes it seem like a much bigger city than it is--that dense, compact feel. By comparison, Christchurch does not seem like a big city at all, just because of the layout.

Wellington could really benefit from a light rail or some type of mass transit from the train station to the end of Courtenay Place. I'm often amazed how crowded with pedestrians Lambton Quay can be.

[bob_the_engineer]

I sat and I thought, I didn't come up with much. Ok the weather is a bit pants by NZ standards, but hell I'm from Yorkshire so every day in Welly is a sunny day to me.

Ok things I don't like,, the local student unions executive (note: I blame the executive not the students here) refused to attend a memorial for the fallen solders, I cant begin to tell you how much that saddened me.

The locals, em well their all pretty decent to be honest, the restaurants, bars, cafes, events em nope their all good.

actually the other day I was waiting for the bus, it had gone by early and I'd missed it,,, what an utter git that bus driver was eh.

Oh the neighbors are sweet though, they gave me a lift to town..

Bob

[M-Squared]

Erm... hmmm....... nope can't think of anything to add to this thread, sorry! :D

[Wooly_Cow]

actually the other day I was waiting for the bus, it had gone by early and I'd missed it,,, what an utter git that bus driver was eh.

Bob

Yeah that's a good one. This is the only place in the world (that I've seen anyway) where the official bus timetables say somthing like "This is only a rough guess as to when the buses may or may not arrive". Like you say I don't have much of problem with them being a bit late but it's those which are there 5-10 minutes early and leave you stranded :(

....so we do have a light public transport system - They're called Go Buses!

[Keith C.]

My, aren't we the contented ones? I like Welly a lot, but it's not perfect. The streets are narrow. If you ride a bike, you risk your life. If you drive a car, those darn bikes you run over will scratch your paint. Also, it's not easy to park. Some people park on the sidewalk. It's hard to find good tortilla chips for nachos. Most people don't know what jalepenos are, or how to pronounce it.

How was that? Nothing awful, but just little things, so you can wait a little longer.

[M-Squared]

The streets are narrow. If you ride a bike, you risk your life. If you drive a car, those darn bikes you run over will scratch your paint. Also, it's not easy to park. Some people park on the sidewalk.

Please do bear in mind that Wellington is less than half the size of Austin. This is not Texas...

I've never seen a single person (or car) on the sidewalk. Or the pavement. :p


It's hard to find good tortilla chips for nachos. Most people don't know what jalepenos are, or how to pronounce it.

This is not the US Southwest or Mexico. The city I used to live in (in the US) was 31% hispanic. If I wanted Mexican food, I would make my own and not whine. :D

[SarahEDH]

This is not the US Southwest or Mexico." Right, thanks.

[/QUOTE]"The city I used to live in (in the US) was 31% hispanic. If I wanted Mexican food, I would make my own and not whine. :D[/QUOTE]

How do you suggest we make a jalapeno? :laugh

[cherieb]

Jalapenos-Pickle some chillies?

[SarahEDH]

Jalapenos have a distinctive flavor and are often used fresh, either chopped or sliced, and then sprinkled on top the nachos. Pickling a different type of chili pepper wouldn't give the same result unfortunately. Not a bad suggestion, though.

[cherieb]

Can you not grow Jalapeno peppers in NZ? http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/Organics/Organic+Vegetables/Chilli+Pepper+Jalapeno+Early.html

[SarahEDH]

Yes, thanks for the link -- although it's a bit tricky to find the ones that are actually hot by Tex-Mex cooking standards. Seems the most common varieties are mild- to no-heat. I realize this is a taste-subjective thing.

[kiwi.]

I forgot about the lack of mexican food (and no, Flying Burrito Brothers doesn't cut it). Just another reason not to live in Wellington.:)

I remember the day (when we were living back in NZ) we found Dr Pepper in the Thorndon New World. It was like Christmas for my wife. Its strange how much you're impacted by food.

[SarahEDH]

Its strange how much you're impacted by food.

Quite agree -- it's not a small issue for many people.

[M-Squared]

How do you suggest we make a jalapeno? :laugh

Try growing them, maybe?... ;)

[BkyMonster]

You should check Asian (Indian) markets for jalapenos. I've seen them there and vegetable markets sometimes have them as well. Also they freeze rather well without losing heat so you can stock up.

[RJLink]

Thanks for the tip on jalapenos, Becky. I needed one the other day and couldn't find it in the regular supermarkets.

[JasonS]

How do you suggest we make a jalapeno? :laugh

if you take a road trip north of welly up towards otaki, there is a veggie market called the "chili patch" where they grow many varieties of chillis, including jalapenos, habaneros, cayenne, green chillis and many many more. if you visit there starting at the end of february and during march, you can pick all the chillies you like to your hearts content. we have a freezer full of jalapenos to get us through until next years harvest. :D

laurel

[Keith C.]

Actually, I have had good luck finding jalepenos (and refried beans and tortillas) in Wellington. It was a pleasant surprise when we moved here. We've seen them in both New World and Woolworth's.

[eassae]

In the event of major natural disaster there is only one road out of town, and the airport is built on reclaimed land.

I guess there is the ferry's.:exit

[Mrs Pony]

You might get blown over... like I almost did today!

[bobo]

Jakey's and glue sniffers, on Cuba Street during the day

[Jacqi B]

Jakey's and glue sniffers, on Cuba Street during the day

what's a Jakey?

[akp713b]

I was only in Wellington once, nearly three year ago. It was December, it was raining, my car was being blown back and forth by wind and I had to buy a winter jacket I was so cold. I could not believe how bad the traffic in the CBD was, given how small a city it is. It reminded me very much of San Fran culturally and hills wise. I resolved never to go again, I moved to NZ largely for weather, in Auckland.

I can see why people love it, but I should think the biggest downside to Wellington would have to be the very real danger of a major earthquake. But then I live in Auckland and I suppose Rangitoto could just up and erupt some day. Still, seems like Wellington is the most disaster prone city.

[RJLink]

Yes, an earthquake will come to Wellington, but the odds of it occurring while you're living here are pretty low.

I wouldn't move here looking for great weather, but the weather is not bad overall. There is an abundance of really nice days to balance out the occasional cold and windy ones.

[bobo]

what's a Jakey?

Its scots for a wine-o

[April]

Love Wellington - can't help you on this one.

[sbinder]

Sorry, didn't take notice of this posting earlier on.
1. Skiing - I don't think there is much to say here
2. No Beau Jo's Pizza or Dillon Dam apres ski
3. I couldn't find an equivalent for simple sunshine (forget the rain and wind vs snow) 2000 hrs sunshine vs. 300 days is the best I could do. But there is more of the stuff in the mountains than down in Welly, no doubt.
4. The seasons - autumn is nice enough here but doesn't compare with the changing of the aspens up Independence Pass, and I would say the same about spring as well.
5. Eisenhower Tunnel - who doesn't love the weekend crawl-stop-crawl on the way home?

You're stuck between two beautiful places, each with their own pros and cons. Such a rough place to be!