[Paul and Linda]

Hi All,

As you'll know we've been looking at the Manawatu as somewhere to settle.

We've pretty much sacked living in places like foxton and shannon after rumours of drug dealing. However we also found some lovely houses in somewhere called marton. Strangely marton is named after the birthplace of James Cook, which is about 2 miles from where we live, here in Middlesbrough.

Anyway, we found their towns website......and I'm scared.

No honestly, it seems so isolated (and dare I say...backwards?). The prices of houses are great and the houses do look very nice, but....well has anyone seen Children of the Corn, or read much Steven King?

I don't think it has helped for me to be sat here looking at the town whilst listening to More FM Manawatu (if you thinkthe radio in your area is lame, you've got to try this one one the web....no other milk will cock a doodle do!).

There are villages in North Yorkshire which are maintained to look like Marton, ie living in the countryside 60 years in the past.

Anyway, just got a bit freaked, I'm sure the place won't look so freaky once we go and visit it.

It may turn out to be too far from Palmy to commute anyway.

Anyone been there?

[Bruckner]

Sorry I can't help out but Linda, I have to LOL at the Children of the Corn reference! Reminds me of the time we were diverted from a main highway to some country back roads because of an accident and as we were winding through we passed a family sitting by the side of the road...on their old living room furniture. Bought to mind the old Jeff Foxworth joke, "You know you're a redneck when the furniture on your lawn used to be in your living room."

Emily

[Paul and Linda]

I guess what I'm really asking with this thread is : Is there enough to keep your 2 kids occupied in these small towns, and would you enjoy living out of the way or would you just get sick of travelling into somewhere a little more significant to have a bit of fun or do something?

I know that this all depends upon the individuals concerned, but I would be interested to find out if anyone has had or is currently living this sort of lifestyle?

Paul

[Miffy]

I think it will depend on what your kids are like.
Some kids will find interesting things to do and enjoy where they are regardless of how remote or isloated they are and some will be bored even if they are in the middle of everything....

The small little villages and groups of buildings that are dotted around the countryside are amazing. They are like traveling back in time to a quieter, clamer time almost a different way of life, which is a good thing (IMO) and one of the reasons I moved over here to get back to those kind of traditional values that my parents tried to bring me up by.
In my experience (the ones down here in the very southern part of the south isle) are friendly and welcoming.

I think itsvery hard to decide where exactly to live while still in the UK when you can only go by pictures on the web and word of mouth.
My advise would be try and stay as flexiable as you can and wait till you get here and get a real feel for places, as you never know what seems 'on paper' is a sure thing may not be and somewhere that was 'poohed poohed' in theory maybe be perfect.

:smile

[jo b]

Paul

see my thread entiled "Dannevirke"

Jo

[sweetpea]

Sorry, can't help you, but I'll be interested in anything you find out. I'll be landing in Palmy in February or so, probably looking to rent in the outskirts.

Marton looks like a good deal, but that area's just shown up under Manawatu on the real estate sites in the past couple of months. I'm not sure it's actually considered Manawatu -- not that that makes a difference, but it may indicate that it's pretty far/inconvenient to Palmy. I've been browsing RealNZ for about a year looking to get an idea for the market.

I want to live in Bunnythorpe, but just because I think it's the funniest/sweetest town name. :mrgreen:

[Radders]

Frommy recolections of driving past Palmy on my way to Levin, Marton is not very far away at all. 30 mins maybe. I don't know much about it except to say that they was a double homicide there a couple of months back - but they caught the bloke.
Look drugs are available in all the towns in NZ - I wouldn't let that put you off particularly.
As for things to do - well that depends doesn't it on what they and you like to do. Outdoorsie things a plenty - not so much shopping malls etc

[leosus]

Paul and Linda,

I have been frequenting these two sites for more stimulating conversation than my American counterparts seem to be able to offer these days. Jan is the moderator, I have been "friends" with her (although I have not met her in person yet) for almost a year now.

Jan is as cool as they come, and she lives in Manawatu. Consider visiting http://nzfc.11.forumer.com/index.php and "Grumpytart" is her screen name. Tell her Leosus/ Susan from Kansas/ USA sent you. Another great site to get a feel for farm people is http://www.lifestyleblock.co.nz/ . This website not only has an awesome forum, but loads of good info if you are considering a lifestyle block life.

From hanging out for sometime in these forum areas I was rather delighted to find the opposite of what I feel the USA Redneck (and sometimes farmer) is like. The people in this forum for the most part are liberal, bright, and educated. There are a few that are scary, but that can be said for anyone anywhere.

They are even planning two huge get togethers (parties)- one for the entire North Island LSBers, and one for the South Island LSBers. (LSB= Lifestyle Block). You may want to get in on the Northland one, heck the people I have befriended on the forums even asked me to come! Such great people, I am exited at the chance of having them as peers, and neighbors.

Just my 2 cents.

Susan

[Rob K]

Hi Paul & Al,

I was the one who commented on Shannon & Foxton being not so desirable areas (in the Manawatu thread). We had heard from people we've got to know here that it would not be their choice for settling down. We had visited there before hearing these comments and did not get a good feeling either. That said, you might really like these areas and I would hate to think that you wouldn't look into further just because of my comments or other people's comments for that matter.

It is really hard to decide where you are going to settle down from the other side of the world. Work will probably have the last word for many of us on where to live, but if you have a chance, take a couple of months to travel around the country. It is really worth it if you can.

The Manawatu region has a lot to offer (and it remains one of the cheapest places to buy land or a house), but there are lots of other places that you never ever considered that you might really like during such a trip.

Also, if during your travels you find job postings that might be of interest to you, just call the employer a few days before and ask them if you could drop by and have a chat. Kiwis are very relaxed and sometimes Rob even showed up unannounced and there was always somebody available to give him more info.

By the way, Marton is in the Rangitikei area and will be listed as such in real estate links.

Good luck with everything!

Sandrine

[Paul and Linda]

Thanks Sandrine, I also go on the general feel of places and as such hold a lot of sway in other peoples feelings. I am hoping that after all our hopping round the north island in search of jobs and a life that we can settle on the manawatu.

I agree that there aredrugs in every town, but if somewhere is seen as a particular problem I would certainly try to avoid it.

I willbe renting for 6 months on arrival, but would like to rent in the area that I will be buying (bit hopeful there) to get a feel for the area.

We'll be in a b and b for a week or so to give us a chance to drive around and maybe have a meal in each of these places and even venture into the local pubs.

Overall though I strongly believe that chance favours the prepared mind and if you fail to plan you plan to fail. Hence my incessant querying.

I have also contacted the manawatu police and will be talking to them again on monday to get better feel for the area.

Overall though I guess I'm just using this info to try and calm my nerves and get my mind used to the idea of living so far away from all that we are used to.

It's funny, last night on the radio (more fm manawatu) the presenters were taking the mick out of a lady who phoned up for a competitiion.

She was clearly from the UK and they made her say lines from Thomas The Tank Engine.....and when she did they were howling!

So strange to be the odd one out, for a while anyway.

Paul

[Carol]

I went to Shannon once....................







:exit

[Paul and Linda]

Elucidate young lady

[Carol]

Went to a "Christmas party"

If I'm honest - it was cool.
The sister of an acquantice.......fab house - typical kiwi villa.
Great party - she didnt know me from Adam and yet gave me a big bag of grapefruit to take home with me from her garden that was overflowing.



but.....





the town itself made me nervous.
and I have NOTHING to be able to point my finger at and say why......I just know you wouldn't catch me there after dark for all the tea in China!

[Paul and Linda]

Strange that so many of us get the same vibe, I wonder if it's cos we get on so well or just the we are from the UK?

Of course the third option is that the place is "The Twilight Zone" (as directed by Steven King and produced by Dean R Koontz)


There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call Shannon.

Lets hope not, cos I'd love to get a lovely big cheap house somewhere close to PN.

[Moorf]

Just keep an eye out for "tinny" houses - usually a pair of sneakers/trainers tied together and thrown over the telephone/elec wires in front of the house indicates such premises. So called because you would get your grass/dope there in a "tin" - nowadays they tend to be cooking up "P".

What useful info I've gleaned - it's the circles I move in you know ;) :laugh

[Timbo]

When you say "watch out for the tinny houses" Moorf, what exactly do you mean?
Steer clear, or check out the grass ?? :laugh ;)

[ruthyroo]

Another thing to be aware of when considering small towns, especially in the north island, is that there is likely to be a higher than usual maori population - especially out in the sticks. In itself, this is not a bad thing. However, areas with a lot of maori do tend to be poorer, and more prone to showing up in the drugs / gang reports. The culture shock might be some thing to consider too.

I guess the cautionary tale we got was quite extreme- from a scottish guy who landed a teaching job in Murupara of all places and moved there with his wife and two kids. It is a desperately poor town, previously dependent on the forestry industry but now with a very high unemployment rate and almost 80% maori, and very isolated out in the middle of one of the largest man made forests on the planet. He and his family are very keen to move on now. Appearances can be very deceptive, especially when you want to see the good side!

[Simon & Emily]

This may be a stupid question, but what is 'P' please?

Emily

[Moorf]

When you say "watch out for the tinny houses" Moorf, what exactly do you mean?

Timbo, I mean - "give me a call with the address" :laugh :laugh :laugh

I also mean - you wouldn't necessarily want to live near one! (well, you might, but hey, it takes all sorts!)

Emily - "P" is methamphetamine and its really only called "P" in NZ - goes by the name of speed, crystal, goey or burn etc in other countries. Usually smoked here. Nasty stuff. Bit of a problem in NZ with it at the moment. It can be made by ingredients found in pharmacy over the counter meds etc and is cooked up in "P Labs" which are taking over what were once the "tinny" (grass) supplier houses.

[Simon & Emily]

Thanks Moorf - brings a whole new meaning to 'I'll have a 'p' please Bob :laugh :laugh :laugh

[Moorf]

:laugh :laugh :laugh

[Paul and Linda]

Mmmmm!

Just had a phone call from an employer in Palmy. He was very surprised to hear that I am heading for the region job or no job. He said he normally has a hard job persuading people to come to the region to work for him!

Mmmmmm!

Once I explained that I was from the North East of England, he said I'd fit right in.....he is from Manchester.

Only trouble (or blessing) is that all the jobs that I've applied for want me there asap. I'll have to give our buyers a talking to this week. We have some first time buyers waiting in the wings who are progressively offering more and more cash.

Do I stick but try to hurry up our buyers or do I go for FPTP?

Mmmmmm!

:uhoh

[jo b]

Hey

Paul if you think of it and your in demand you could almost name you price eh!!

I think you will like PM honestly. There are bad areas everywhere if you look hard enough. In the North west we just know where they are so we avoid them. Over in NZ we just need to find out which areas to avoid I suppose.

Jo

[Paul and Linda]

Aye too true.

i was hoping for a bit of trading up if offers come in at the same time, but I really need to be in a position to go and start work if that happens.

Thing is, Linda both wants me to have a job and security, but also wants me around for the first few weeks to help sort everything out (naturally).

Back to catch 22 aren't we, this emigrating lark doesn't get any easier!

:roll:

[GeorgeM]

Just back from a business trip to Melbourne.

On the flight I was listening to Air NZ's comedy channel.

One of the tracks was a NZ stand-up comic who at one point claimed to have been at Wellington airport when he heard the announcement:

"Air NZ regrets to advise passengers that the flight to Palmerston North is now ready for boarding" :laugh

[veronica]

while it s interesting to look into places before coming over here I would advise anyone against making decisions on where to live until you get here and see for yourself. we are all guilty of glossing over the bad bits when we are day dreaming from the UK. but if you want to make a go of living here you have to be careful about where you end up living.

[Carol]

but if you want to make a go of living here you have to be careful about where you end up living.


and even more important - IMHO - where your kids go to school!

[Diny]

What an interesting thread.

We live in the Manawatu.!!!!!!!!!

At the moment we're on the very city limits of Palmerston North. As big towns go it's great. Really wonderful shops to have a browse around, and certainly no feel of danger - gang culture - intimidation or anything like that.

My in laws live in Marton !!!! We stayed there for our first week in the country. In fact it's not a bad town at all, and alot bigger than you think - it's quite spread out. It has a high population of retired cockies (farmers) and is of course surrounded with farm land (as is much of the Manawatu). It also has a very posh boys public school there :? It's too far away from the school we have chosen for our boys but I would have no worries at all about living there.

It has the same things on offer as any small NZ town really - life is what you make it - if your kids are the type to get out and make friends, join in with the community and play lots of sports then it would be a fine place to be. If they're the type to sit in their room all day with the PS2 then it would also be a fine place to be.

As for Shannon ......... I can't understand anybody wanting to go and live there :no In my opinion, it's dull, not at all pretty and has about as much excitement as a wet weekend in Scunthorpe.

Bunnythorpe ????????? I agree - what a cute name. Jeeze you should see the place. It's a small 'community' with the railway line going right through the centre of it and a huge electric generating station just off the main street. As you drive through the only thing you see is signal boxes and electric pylons. It all depends on what floats your boat but I would NEVER consider buying a property there.

Obviously the idea is to come over and have a look.

Feilding is lovely .... a real rural town with some very nice houses.

None of these places are a million miles from Palmerston North - certainly within easy commuting distance. :nice1

The property prices in the Manawatu are suddenly rising. Not saying that it's getting into a 'go ahead' kind of place, I just think they are coming more into line with the rest of the country.

Basically it all depends on what you want. If you want fast moving, something happening, in your face kind of living then the Manawatu isn't for you. If you want to be more or less 'off the beaten tourist track' and surrounded by rural/agricultural NZ then I think you'll find it fits the bill.

Take on board the comments and opinions of others but don't write anywhere off until you've tried it for yourself. Manawatu wasn't our first choice, and until we had a couple of 'family issues' we were due to go to the Coromandel. I was disappointed at first but I'm finding that this place is really good ....... and of course ..... very scenic.

As for the 'worries' about a high Maori population in some of the smaller, more rural areas. This is often the case (but not always) .... but let's remember something ........ it's their country for Christs sake !!!!!!!

Diny

[GeorgeM]

As for the 'worries' about a high Maori population in some of the smaller, more rural areas. This is often the case (but not always) .... but let's remember something ........ it's their country for Christs sake !!!!!!!

Try telling that to the moriori (if you can find any that haven't been eaten...)

Maori is to NZ as Celt is to UK, Aboriginal to Australia and Red Indian to the USA. Reality is that the modern countries which thrive today in these locations have little to do with the tribal people who just happened to be (or claim to have been) there first.

If you move from one side of the UK (or US or NZ) to another and move into a village where some people have lived for generations do you expect to have less say in how the place develops? Perhaps for the first year? What about after a decade? What about two generations? Or more?

One has to view the world as it really is - had the Brits not colonised NZ it is likely that the French or the Dutch or the Germans or someone else would have done and the current situation would have been somewhat different. If no-one had colonised NZ at all it is unlikely that it would been the modern wealthy place that it is today.

(Duck for cover) :exit

[sweetpea]

Maori is to NZ as Celt is to UK, Aboriginal to Australia and Red Indian to the USA. Reality is that the modern countries which thrive today in these locations have little to do with the tribal people who just happened to be (or claim to have been) there first.

Well, I'm not sure you can really compare Maori to Native Americans/First Nations people in the US and Canada. Maori are relative latecomers...

I don't think you can say that native people had negligible influence on the countries that have evolved in those locations. For instance, the Iroquois League and it's connection to American democracy. Of course, Native Americans might have had a little more influence if the Founding Fathers hadn't killed most of them off....

[Carol]

We are here.
We are now.
So are they.


We all need to work together to stand any chance at all of succeeding in the world of today.



Whatever happened in the past is irrelevant............apart from the fact we should learn lessons from it.

[GeorgeM]

We all need to work together to stand any chance at all of succeeding in the world of today.



Whatever happened in the past is irrelevant............apart from the fact we should learn lessons from it.

So very true.

Let's hope that NZ gets back on message in this particular area before too much damage is done.