[louron]

Hi all,
Just wonder if anyone out there can answer a few questions about the above two places - we won' t be in NZ for about a year so it really is just fact finding at the mo - OH is going to be looking for work in Wellington and we have two kids age 8 and 11, so the questions are -
I know its a fair commute from both places to Welly but is it do-able on a daily basis, what is the train service like?
Anyone got any advice on good/not so good areas for either place?
Any advice on schools?
Any advice on how easy it might be to obtain a p/t non stressy job in either area? (yes I really am going wholeheartedly for the NZ lifestyle :) ).

Sorry I know thats a lot of questions but would be very grateful if anyone can offer any insight at all to either place.

Thank you

[sizzlingbadger]

We live in Featherston, about half hour drive from Masterton. Have to say we absolutely love it.

My husband gets the train daily into Wellington, it's an hour each way. He thought he would hate it as he doesn't like public transport but it's in fact the opposite he loves it. The train service is pretty reliable I think in three months it's been late about once and one day it was cancelled.

We've got three kids, one nearly 5yrs, 3yrs and 19mths. Featherston has a lot to offer for this age group and we have a full week of activities. It has three good primary schools to choose from, St Teresas School, South Featherston and Featherston. Secondary school age they would have to travel up to Greytown (11kms away) or Masterton. Haven't heard a bad word about any of the secondary schools either. If you have a look at www.ero.govt.nz and http://wairarapa.school.nz/index.html this will give you an idea of the schools in the Wairarapa. Some of the schools are Kurani College (Greytown), Wairarpa College, Chanel, Solway College (all Masterton).

Also the usual property sites, open2view, realenz to give an idea of property prices.

Can't comment on p/t jobs (full time mum) other than that there are a few job agencies around that offer p/t and contract work. I expect also there would be quite a few opportunties in Masterton.

Also can't comment on Kapiti Coast as we've only been up there once.

If you've got any more questions fire away.

[louron]

Hi sizzlingbadger,
Thanks very much for the reply, I've been having a good old look through open2view etc and its partly the house prices that led us to look at the Masterton area but not being there you can never be sure whether the prices are so good because they are in some dodgy area. With regard to schools do you know if certain primary schools feed into a particular secondary school and if so how do you find out which secondary they feed into?
Its nice to know that someone is living in that area and loving it and finding plenty to do.
Thanks alot

[sizzlingbadger]

Hi
Not sure which primary schools feed into certain secondary schools in Masterton. Here in Featherston St Teresas (Catholic) feeds into Chanel, Kurani (Greytown and currently very popular), and others in Masterton. At the moment I don't think many of the schools have catchment areas. The only primary that does have a catchment is Greytown but that soon is being uplifted.

[louron]

Thanks v much, I'm sure I'll be back to you when I think of some more questions :)
Cheers