New Zealand - Who's in Auckland?

Cardiff Irons

13th July 2005, 12:26 AM

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 01:03 AM

Panic part is over i think!

Auckland looks blooming lovely as do the few suburbs that I have seen houses advertised in so far. One house however had 120m2 floor space and 210m2 land area and they were advertising it as potential for subdivision.

Bit different from the 1-2000m2 plots we were looking at in the Hutt Valley. Never mind, didn't fancy mowing all that grass anyway! :clap

Bit worried about the cost of living and house prices guess we'll have to start the process of shopping around again, hey ho!

That's only 2 beers so far, this is going to be cheap!

Paul

kiwidebs

13th July 2005, 01:04 AM

Hi Paul and Linda

We're def headed for Auckland - up to Whangaparoa (same as Wayne). I actually don't have a choice as family and friends would not be impressed if I finally made it home from the UK and chose to settle in Wellington or Chch. We loved Stanmore Bay when we went to look last time we were in NZ, but plans may change depending on where hubby gets work.
Have had the estate agents in this morning so we should be on the market by the end of the week. Send us lots of house sales vibes and I'll buy my own drinks when we meet in Auckland!!

Debs

Debbie

13th July 2005, 02:03 AM

Hi PAul and Linda,
Yep we are Auckland bound, NZIS willing March 06. Hope your plans work out well for you. The book "Where to live" previously mentioned is fab and I'm sure you will find all you need to calm those nerves either there or on this forum. Keep us all up to date with your progress, I'll be tapping you for Auckland info closer to our move and I'll buy you the beer.
Hope it all goes well
Debbie

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 02:16 AM

Hiya Debs Debbie Wayne and Cardiff,
I don't have a clue where these places are yet, but I'll do a little surfing tonight and try to find my way around. Are they far from Auckland? How far out do people who work 9-5 in and around auckland generally live?

The book is being a little elusive, Julia (jam) has a copy, so i would pinch it off her but her husband is a policeman!

Looks like I'll have to order it over the web for about £22, sent a email this afternoon to the publishers to try and find how long it would take to get here.

I guess most other people picked a copy up in NZ?

Preparing myself for Aucklands temperatures, we're having a mini heatwave here at the moment, and my office is like an oven.

Also looking forward to milder winters, he he!, I'm from the north east so it'll be t shirt and shorts all year round for me!

I do like a warm house at night though. We were considering electric blankets for wellington and have already bought some oil heaters. Is the temperature much of a problem in the winter? Looking at the annual figures its a good 8-10C warmer than middlesbrough in december-feb.

Debbie

13th July 2005, 03:27 AM

Hi Paul and Linda,
OH ordered the book, it was difficult to track down only found a few places selling it but we ordered our copy from ENZ Bookshop, it arrived in 7 days and when the price was charged from NZD to £ it worked out about the same price as the other places. Happy reading.
Debbie :P

ukiwibird

13th July 2005, 06:02 AM

:nice1 Include me in on that drink. :exit Trudy

captainxmas

13th July 2005, 07:14 AM

The Captain and Queen of the New Year will be starting Spring in Auckland from August 1st :eek (with or without the help of NZ weather :laugh )

Yip-ee-kai-eh?

Will keep you posted and will keep the website updated too.

Cheers

Rich n Soph x :raebanana :raebanana

Lisa T

13th July 2005, 08:05 AM

We're due in Auckland in September.

Been there a few times, brother been there nearly 20 years.

I could bore you to death on all the really bizarre info that I have collected. We know some of the areas quite well, including school zoning.

Where in Auckland do you fancy? (for us it's either Eastern Bays (Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers), Remuera (v. expensive but excellent schooling - a little of the "ladies who lunch" brigade thought)) and possilby Devonport / Takapuna (lovely area, difficult to get into the city if you need a car with work - ferry in but need to leave car at home, only one road leading from the peninsular and then have to cross harbour bridge).

PM if you like with any specific questions and I'll be able to condense my ramblings for you...........

Lisa......

jan

13th July 2005, 09:07 AM

Hey you guys who are heading up to Whangaparoa, Red beach, Manly, Gulf harbour, Stanmore Bay and up that way will be well impressed with the new 4 lane road that has just been completed.
When we arrived here 8 weeks ago it wasn't quite finished and it would take 3 hours( at peak times) for a journey that generally took 25 mins!!

It is now completed and a breeze to go up there.

So there is a major difference up there now for anybody who has actually been there before.

Lovely area too. Stunning views.

jubjub

13th July 2005, 09:18 AM

We (me and hubby foolsgold99) are in Auckland cuurently living out west with a bu**er of a commute down the NW motorway, but moving East on Friday :clap .

Been here a couple of months now and finding it fine, easy to get around too.

Pm us if you want to ask anything, and we will try and help.

Oh - houses, we just paid $370 for a three bed on its own 650sqm section in Pakuranga, and it was in pretty much perfect condition, you can get cheaper, but depends whether you want to do work or not, some of the places we saw were just yuk. Some houses will be more depending on school area, but as our little one is not even here yet, that was not a large concern for us, although the local primary is OK, (decile 7, most of the one around the Howick, Bucklands Beach area are 9 or 10) Alijax would be your expert on that district.

AliJax

13th July 2005, 01:36 PM

Hi All,
Now that we are looking at coming to Auckland, just thought I'd start this thread for those heading to or already at the city of sails. :nice1

Would be interested in areas to live, commuting times and routes, rentals, schools....you name it! :P

Free drinks to all those who help...to be redeemed in Auckland naturally. :cheers

Paul and Linda

NOW YER TALKIN :cheers

Congrats JubJub hope all goes well for Friday.

Linda, Lucy (4) & Myself have been in Auckland since January 2nd 2005, we are moving THIS SATURDAY into a brilliant house (look for Future Photos) in Finnerty Ave, Howick - (look at your wises maps we're in the cul-de-sac bit) and we've done exactly as we said we would from leaving the UK.

After being in the rental in Half Moon Bay ($360/PW) for the last 6 months we've decided to move - my pneumonia decided this for us, and we love it.

We love the Eastern suburbs, its far enough out of the city (or close enough by ferry & newley found bus route - there is a story here, (waiting by the bus stop for the 52 after a few beers from work, 51 went past, 53, 51, 50, 51 again 53 then i stopped the 50 and asked where the 52 was -"...oh it stops at 6o'clock.." he said"...you have to get the 51 and change at Pakuranga...." :laugh :laugh :laugh ) & close enough to Botany for the shopping centre, Howick has everything we need - cafes, chat to anyone attitude in the street.

My commute into Newmarket takes me 40-50 mins if kids are at school 15-20 mins if not. I pay $30/pw for car parking at work and have the space 24/7 even weekends which is cool. Linda works at Middlemore Hosp which is a 30min comute as she starts earlier and misses the BIG rush.

Lucys School from September is Pidgeon Mountain Primary, Brilliant School - she said she wants to go their so thats where shes going - you have to meet her to appreciate how fixed in her mind she is. At the moment she goes to Froggpuddles Nursery which is also Very Good.

All good here, it can be for you too.

alihow

13th July 2005, 02:35 PM

2 more drinks please!
The Mrs (allie), Bailey (2) and I (howie) will also be moving to auckland sometime next year. Allie grew up in Auckland so can also help you with general info about cetain areas. She grew up in Glenfield (on the North Shore) but has/has family friends all over the place (including Waiheke Island, Remuera, and many parts of Whangaparoa. So feels free to pm us any times if u have specifc questions.
Howie

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 08:09 PM

Ah, that's where Glenfield is, the north shore! Thanks.

Is this Whangaparoa something special? Quite a few of you seem keen on it, and it sounds a relatively short commute if I found a job in Glenfield.

I haven't really found any decent internet sites that would show me around the area, and I'm only just ordering that book (where to live) today (3 to 10 days delivery).

Ali, was that commute from Howick or half moon bay? and what time of the morning was it? Just after 8 I'd guess.

jubjub

13th July 2005, 08:14 PM

http://www.wises.co.nz/street_search.asp

type in district you are looking for and it will find it (providing you have spelt it right, there are some wierd spellings round these parts)

http://www.nzescape.com/auckland-attractions.html

tourist info for Auckland as well

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 09:27 PM

Yup. Just used it to print out the entirity of auckland which is now 4 feet by 2 feet on my office floor.

found half moon bay and howick, found glenfield, found stanmore bay (seems quite a drive out)

Weird flippin shape the whole thing is!

foolsgold99

13th July 2005, 09:46 PM

I found it helped to split auckland into 5 areas

Out West North Shore

Central

South East

There are two main motorways, 1 which runs south to north, and 16 which runs from the city, out west. Both are dreadful at rush hour. They join at the city centre

Out West, it based round Henderson, very ethnic, bit low rent but fine

North Shore - Safe settled suburban, need to go over the harbour bridge on motorway 1. Lot of south africans.

Central - Mixture of nice old victorian villas or dodgy run down areas. Either ropey or hyper expensive.

South - Got a very bad reputation, esp areas round magere. People I work with say bad things about it. Very cheap and very Moari

East - bit biased because we're moving there on Friday. Lot of south africans and east asians. (not as much as the shore) Good value nice houses, quite familiy based. Seems to other the best of everything.

All depends how much you want to spend

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 10:21 PM

Very helpful, thankyou, all marked on my map which now adorns my wall.

East looks good to me from what I've been able to do so far in locating companies.

Have seen some cheaper properties in the southern areas

We'd like a 3 bed hse for under 300K NZD (incredibly rough guess at what we can afford, won't know properly until we start earning and living) is that pushing it for Auckland / east auckland?

Moorf

13th July 2005, 11:13 PM

We'd like a 3 bed hse for under 300K NZD

To be honest, that's pushing it for decent areas in Chch, let alone Auckland. :?

Paul and Linda

13th July 2005, 11:26 PM

mmmm perhaps then i should ask how much we need to earn before tax to support a family of 4 decently in Auckland.

Moorf

13th July 2005, 11:51 PM

Exactly.

All the more reason to get there and scout around. Despite recommendations and map searching and property site searching etc etc from the UK we ended up in an area that we were told wasn't "desirable" but, having seen and lived here for ourselves, it's absolutely fine! But then our requirements are different from others - no schools to consider etc. and we're near the beach and golf course and park without paying the earth :nice1

Moorf

13th July 2005, 11:54 PM

mmmm perhaps then i should ask how much we need to earn before tax to support a family of 4 decently in Auckland

Again, that is so difficult to define - what one family defines as a decent standard of living can be sooo different from anothers! There was some discussion on salary levels for Auckland some time back..

Moorf

14th July 2005, 12:02 AM

Paul/Linda... I found the previous discussion - worth a read. It goes off topic a little but keep with it and trawl through - I think there are a couple of references to 70K being not enough for a family of four to live on in Auckland from a couple of forum members. I guess it all depends on your mortgage commitment (if any), school fees, no. of cars running, no. of bottles of wine consumed in one week ;) etc etc

http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2262&start=0

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 12:08 AM

ooooh beach and golf course sounds like heaven to me!

Schools are a bind, especially looking for catholic ones with a 7+ decile rating. This zoning thing, thought we dropped a while back in england, is such a pain.

we saw some fantastic beautiful homes in Wellington, but the associated school wasn't much above a shed and often very low decile (and not having experienced this socio-economic differenciation before 7 out of ten is a blind guess).

You're right, it's going to be a suck it and see project. First thing to do is find a decent rental....oh here we go again!

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 12:11 AM

Thanks helen, i'll take a look at that. Guess I need to brush up my CV, persuade Linda to work her socks off and find out of school care for the kids holidays etc.!!

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 12:29 AM

Whoa, just checked that link need to double check with Linda, that we're not making a mistake trying to afford to live in auckland.

I guess we'll just have to turn up, look for jobs and a rental and see if we can afford it or not. perhaps a move down to Wellington/elsewhere may be on the books if things look unsustainable.

talk about being caught by the short and curlies. lots of jobs in Auckland, but it's so expensive that it's possible you can barely afford to survive, let alone have a good looking house.

good grief

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 01:32 AM

This is odd replying to my own posts, never mind.

Just brought my self violently up to speed on the costs of lioving and house prices in auckland!

I agree that you can't get anything decent under 300K so I've looked at papakura takanini manurewa and found some ok stuff just above 300K

Now, how long's it going to take me to get to work in say blockhouse bay, henderson, onehunga? Are we talking over an hour each way?

is using route 20 a reasonable thing to do?

I'm beginning to think that, considering the type of house that we wanted to live in, and the location/space, that working in south/west auckland and finding a house even 300 to 350K maybe isn't a reality!

hey, guess what I'm panicing again!

Cardiff Irons

14th July 2005, 01:47 AM

Wow. Just read Moorf's link. My emotions have been going up and down like a fiddler's elbow! :uhoh

Moorf

14th July 2005, 09:53 AM

Sorry guys :oops:

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 10:01 AM

I'm feeling the same, but I'd rather be feeling a little confused, doubting and vulnerable here than have to experience it all when I get there. :wah

At least I can pretend that I have the choice not to come....as if. :laugh

Well I am a Thursday's child, what can you expect? :mrgreen:

Trouble is once we've "done" NZ, if we decide to travel as far away from there as we could......we'd be back here!

Doh! :roll:

Funny though, looking round me at the m,oment everything seems so familiar and homely, weird thing is it's never felt that way before and we've been here 7 years! :?

Sometimes with us thick fellas it's very true that you only appreciate something when you are about to lose it. :eek

In that case I should be really appreciating my sanity right about now. ;)

Singel

14th July 2005, 11:06 PM

I agree that you can't get anything decent under 300K so I've looked at papakura takanini manurewa and found some ok stuff just above 300K

Now, how long's it going to take me to get to work in say blockhouse bay, henderson, onehunga? Are we talking over an hour each way?

is using route 20 a reasonable thing to do?

Hi Paul and Linda

I lives in a newly developed coastal area of Manurewa called Wattle Cove and here is the website : www.wattlecove.co.nz
The new primary school and kindergarten will be starting next year January.

I works in Onehunga and my daily commute to work by car on motorway 20 is about 30 mins one way during the rush hour.

Just a little information to share with....................

:cheers
Ivy

Paul and Linda

14th July 2005, 11:26 PM

That's excellent info Ivy. What are the house prices like? I guess you use the mangere bridge?

Paul

Cardiff Irons

14th July 2005, 11:28 PM

Hi Paul and Linda

I lives in a newly developed coastal area of Manurewa called Wattle Cove and here is the website : www.wattlecove.co.nz
The new primary school and kindergarten will be starting next year January.

I works in Onehunga and my daily commute to work by car on motorway 20 is about 30 mins one way during the rush hour.

Just a little information to share with....................

:cheers
IvyWow Ivy. That looks a wonderful place to live.

How long have you been there and how are you finding it? Be grateful for any feedback (just emailed the link to my wife).

Cheers

Steve

KiwiB

15th July 2005, 04:24 AM

Does anyone know is the crime rate acceptable in Manurewa area (as compared to other parts of Auckland) ? :mrgreen:

What about crime rate around Wattlecove ? :P

The new schools in Wattlecove, wonder how would the standard be ? :?

Any leaky houses in Wattlecove area ?

The houses in Wattlecove look good and cost is reasonable. Hey, they are also new. Great. :clap

If I live in Wattlecove but work in CBD, wonder how long is my commute ? The jam must be quite bad ? :exit

foolsgold99

15th July 2005, 09:39 AM

We looked at Wattle Cove for ages, it looked great. But decided it was a little bit pricey. In our expierence the average house at Wattle cove seems to be about $425,000

Soon2baKiwi

15th July 2005, 10:33 AM

Mine's a vodka :nice1 We've been on the North Shore for 3 weeks now. I'm working in Mount Eden and hubby is in Glenfield. We've just gone unconditional on a house purchase in Manuka Road in Glenfield today :clap Think hubby is getting the better deal on the transport here :yes but since he's working 6 days a week it's only fair. We've got 814sqm section but it's mostly bush which is what we wanted anyway so it feels quite private and it's only 2 minutes walk to Hellers Creek. Also, it's got a woodburner AND is insulated. :clap

I take a bus to work and so far it's working out fine. I get to meet lots of people and can relax and see my surroundings during my journey. So far, it's all going really well. People are friendly, I like my job and can't wait to move into our house (mother in law is lovely but you can only take so much of living in someone else's house) :uhoh :laugh
I don't really know my way around yet but if I can help anyone with anything I will.

Wiggles

15th July 2005, 10:56 AM

Hi Paul & Linda

Mine will be a double thanks :laugh :laugh Yes, AKL is not the cheapest place to live! We are in Mt Eden & really love it. It's a bloody expensive area and you don't tend to get a lot for your money compared to other areas though. We wanted to live here for a variety of reasons. There are areas around AKL that are still fairly affordable. It can be done though. I'm not sure if your house plans under $300k are mortgage free, but if you took out a small mortgage and went into the $400k's you will find quite a few houses in really nice areas.

If you are interested in any areas in particular, let me know and will have a look for you.

Cheers Wiggles

foolsgold99

15th July 2005, 12:10 PM

Soon2baKiwi, that sounds really nice, can I asked what you paid ??

Our estate agent has just phoned me and told me that I can go and pick up the keys to our new house. :exit

Singel

15th July 2005, 12:41 PM

We looked at Wattle Cove for ages, it looked great. But decided it was a little bit pricey. In our expierence the average house at Wattle cove seems to be about $425,000

We bought the house in Wattle Cove in August* last year and now the price of our house has gone up by $50k after living here 7 months.
* we waited 4 months for our house to be built and we move in end of December 2004.
we could choose the colours for the exterior (roof, bricks, window frames, garage door) and interior of our house.

It is less than 10 mins walk to the beach from our house. There is a children playground by the beach.
I try to get some pictures of the surrounding on the forum next week if possible.
(I already got the pics posting tips from DehnJohn)

:cheers
Ivy

Soon2baKiwi

15th July 2005, 01:45 PM

Foolsgold - I don't mind telling. $407k :oops: That was 50k OVER what we swore would be our budget but really at 350k we saw nothing that we would want to live in. That's not to say that we might not have struck it lucky but we saw this house 5 days after we got here and just fell in love with it. We will have a big mortgage but we have no other debt so what the hell! We really wanted to have a home that we would love coming home to and we think we've got it.

AliJax

15th July 2005, 06:25 PM

Ali, was that commute from Howick or half moon bay? and what time of the morning was it? Just after 8 I'd guess.

In answer to your question about what time take a look at my journey thread.

http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2127&highlight=journey

I leave the house (now) at 0730 take Lucy round the corner to nursery (Froggpuddles - Brilliant!) & leave 0740 then get into work roughly 0820.

Singel

15th July 2005, 06:28 PM

What about crime rate around Wattlecove ? :P

:exit

This is the kind of environment in Wattle Cove.............
Most of the people are Pakeha, a mixture of young families and retired couples.
Some of the neighbours leave their garage doors open the whole day regardless whether they are working in the garage or not.
The children are either playing outside their homes or riding their bikes/skateboarding in the neighbourhood.

The new schools in Wattlecove, wonder how would the standard be ? :?

:exit

Can't comment on the standard.

One of our neighbour moved from Hillsborough and their 8 years old son will continue with the Hillsborough school (staying with his grandparents) and will go to the new primary school in Wattle Cove beginning of next year.
Their daughter will be attending the new kindergarten next to the primary school.

Any leaky houses in Wattlecove area ?

:exit

Fletcher Residential Group is the largest developer in NZ.
We have a 7-year masterbuilder warranty on our house.
Our next door neighbour is a tradesman and he told us that Fletcher got a reputation for building premium homes.

If I live in Wattlecove but work in CBD, wonder how long is my commute ? The jam must be quite bad ? :exit

Beginnning of this year, my husband has to go to the Dutch embassy to renew his passport. He took the train from Manurewa train station to the CBD during the morning rush hour and the train ride is about 35 mins. During the morning rush hour, the train arrives every 15 mins. There are a lot of people parking their cars there and travel by train to the CBD.

:cheers
Ivy

janie

20th July 2005, 08:45 PM

Hi Guys,
We've been in Auckland since April, and before we came I had a good read of the book 'Where To Live In Auckland'. You still dont know what the areas are like until you actually get here and have a look round, but it did give me a good feeling for certain places, so i narrowed down some places to look at when we got here. Unlike Ali in the eastern suburbs, I liked the sound of West Auckland, despite it's 'westie' connotations (big ute, black jeans & a pit bull terrier!!). The beaches and bush here are fantastic. I have to work in the city but was adamant that i didnt want to live in it, and the book gives you an idea of travel times to the city which is really handy. Drop me an e-mail if you want any info, be happy to help if I can (will collect the drinks later...!) :cheers
jane_craker@hotmail.com

Michelle and Richard

21st July 2005, 08:26 PM

We have been in Auckland for 10 months now and live in Devonport, have put an update on http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3011 absolutely love it and I go to work on the ferry Stanley Bay or Devonport 10 mins. I leave the house and sit at my desk 20 mins later.

Wouldn't recommend the North Shore if you work on the other side unless you can get a ferry or can travel off peak

Michelle