[denisesykes]

At long last things are beginning to happen for us , house is sold, job offer is winging its way as we speak and we are about to book OH 's flight for 10 th October.
Because Paul will be based at home and travelling round NZ for work we have been told that we can choose whereabouts on North Island we live but that around 25% of his work will be around Hamilton.
Hamilton is a place that we have never even considered as we thought it was too built up , too industrial and been told that it has no 'soul' so we have been looking at the surrounding area but it is so hard when you have never visited!T o keep Paul's driving down to a minimum we are looking as far East as Tauranga (but would that be too expensive , we are going over with £100,000 and Paul will be earning $60,000 , we really don't want a huge mortgage)and as far South as Taupo.
Any ideas anyone ? As I say it is a nice problem to have but how do you choose?

[ruthyroo]

Cambridge and some of the other small towns around Hamilton seem to be very popular with ex-pats and middle class kiwis, though pretty pricey as a result. I would agree that I have found Hamilton to be a bit soulless when I have visited there, especially for a Uni town. TBH I would recommend that you find somewhere to rent either in or near to Hamilton, then give yourself a few months to find your feet, and get an idea of how much travelling your OH will end up doing in practice from various locations. I don't find kiwi roads particularly restful to spend a lot of time on - so my priority would probably be to minimise that!

[Avalon]

If it was me - Id rent a place in hamilton for 6 months and use my weekends travelling round to find where I wanted to live. Id also see what people doing the job with your OH would recommend. Im much more of a "take your time" kind of gal when it comes to buying property here anyway - but given that you really do not know the area at all - that would be more sensible.

It took us 5 months of living in Welly to work out where we wanted to live - and we ended up buying somewhere we have not origiannly thought of. The absolute best sourse of information we have had is from people who have lived in the area for years. Friends we made took us on drives round different areas and told us the good and bad news about places we wanted to live.

[Miffy]

I can second the above.
Find somewhere decent to rent first and get a short contract.
Then spend some time once you are both over there finding somewhere to live.
Looking at all the areas. Without actually being there it is very difficult to get a 'feel' of a place and to 'know' if its for you.

The roads (in the south island anyway) are very winding and are similar to B or low class A roads. Nothing like the motor ways or even dual carriage ways of the UK. So make sure hubby gets a good car! recommend a subura buts a whole different topic!!

[paul&laura]

Hi Denise

I've been trying to PM you but for some reason i can't!!!...good news on the job front....my paul hasn't heard yet..could take up to 10 weeks...i'll try to pm you later

laura

[paul&laura]

Denise

I got your latest pm but i still can't send you a pm..i have no idea why..very annoying as i typed out 3 really long ones!!

Hope paul isn't in too much pain...can you try an email me through this site..i tried to email you but you have opted not to receive emails...failing that i'll see you at brownies or school as hattie starts at the juniors on monday

take care

laura

[denisesykes]

To Laura
I have changed my options to receive emails now (didn't even know you could do that!)
Good luck to Hattie for her first day at the juniors.When is Katies first day at Simon Langton?
Denise