[MB]

Anyone on the forum living in the Waikato, especially -- but by no means exclusively -- Waitomo region?

As you might know we, hopefully, will be moving to Te Kuiti over the coming weeks and we're thinking of trying to get a meet, or newcomers' (pub?) group, together. But we wanted to gauge interest first.

Of course anyone from any region who's willing to come along would be welcome, too.

:nice1

[Kim39]

MB,

We are down in the Waikato, Te Awamutu to be exact. As Te Kuiti is about a 45 minute drive you can use us as your 1st taker. Have been involved in the NW meets back in the UK for the last 15 months. Just drop me a PM when you have a date sorted.

Kim

[MB]

Thanks, Kim! Look forward to it. Great.
By the way, Kim, slightly off-topic, but when we have driven down from Auckland to Te Kuiti so far we have come via State Highway 1 as far as Hamilton, then SH3 to Te Kuiti... but we notice that SH 39 seems on the map to be if anything more direct than SH3. Any opinions? Does it pan out that way in practice, too, or is SH3 the best bet?

Back to the main point... anyone else? :cheers

[tonyb]

ive been offered a job in Hamilton. Problem is, ive also been offered work in Auckland and Dunedin. ive researched into those two places, houses, sears etc but i dont know anything about Waikato/Hamilton. Whats the bes t places to live (i dont mind a 1/2 drive in) and what are house p[rices like there?

Tony

[tonyb]

for sears, read.... areas

[mechidna]

Just my own opinion, but I would choose Hamilton if given the choice. Dunedin is wonderful, but cold in the winter. Hamilton is pretty temperate, but does get fog. Dunedin is a college town with a Scottish heritage. It was actually the first place I looked at. Changed my mind after I saw the word "snow". Hamilton is beautiful. I'm there at least once a month. I love to try and drive and watch all the horses. I don't think I could live in Auckland because it is so large, so full of people and just generally too busy for me. It's basically everything I wanted to leave behind. Maybe that's why I love living in Rotorua.?

Just my thoughts on it.

Michele

[Kim39]

Yep your right MB. As you drop down SH1 you pick up the SH39 signposts just around Ngaruawahia. I think basically its as long as its broad. In real terms its more like a major B road in the UK. Its pretty windy,but fairly quiet in the process.

Tonyb you ask the question Whats the bes t places to live (i dont mind a 1/2 drive in) and what are house p[rices like there?
if your not to bothered about a drive in then you won't do any better in my opinion than either Cambridge or Te Awamutu. House's that i have seen and on the market tend to be fairly priced. Can't really comment on what Hamilton is like to live in as we never contemplated the place. You can go a little further out ie: Te Aroha,Otorohanga etc, but you'll find your travelling time then is increased by another half hour.

Kim

[ladyluck]

Hi there

I live in Te Awamutu and have done my entire life... obviously not a newbie to New Zealand. If I can assist you in any way, drop me a PM :)

Tara

[acisman]

We live in Morrinsville, about 30 minutes from Hamilton and we love this part of NZ. We did a lot of research before deciding on this region and it is certainly far better that Dunedin and Auckland. The city is easy to drive through and around (we were there today and I thought it must have been a public holiday, because the roads were so quiet) and it has everything you want within easy reach.

We were in Dunedin last week, visiting my Mother, and it was certainly several degrees cooler than up here. Unless you have to work in Auckland, I suggest you steer well clear of it. In fact a large number of Aucklanders are moving down to Hamilton, resulting in house prices in this area going up faster than most regions.

Hamilton has some nice suburbs and there are several good towns in easy reach; Matamata, Cambridge & Morrinsville to name just three.

Let us know if you want any further info.

Pam & Dave

[Kim39]

From one fellow Te Awamutu resident to another.....hello ladyluck.

Kim

[tonyb]

Hi Aciman,

Thanks for the info, much appriciated. Ive been talking to Kim & Elaine (Kim39) who are in Te Awamutu. They have done a good job so far in selling Waikato to me. Any info you think will be of use to me will be much appriciated. I think i now have a reasonable idea of house prices in the area. The main info im looking for at the moment is the best place for my wife to apply for work (she is a higher level teaching assistant with kids with special needs). Would she be better off looking in Hamilton? She's not sure there will be enough jobs available in the smaller towns outside. Oh, and the other info was anything on the weekly shopping.

Sorry for all the questions

Regards

Tony

[ladyluck]

From one fellow Te Awamutu resident to another.....hello ladyluck.

Kim

Hi Kim :o)

I will be moving to Hamilton once my boy gets here from Sussex.

But I have lived here my whole life.

Nice to meet you


Tara