[captainxmas]

After chatting to a New Plymouth resident at the last Expo we quite fancied it and will be doing a whistle stop tour in January.

So we could fit in a couple of days if poss.

Any opinions or recommendations?

[Jodie]

Hi Captain,

Like you, we were convinced after we left the Emigrate show in March that we wanted to settle in New Plymouth. So we visited it when we first got here for a rekkie, and although it is a lovely town :yes which is quiet, got a nice selection of shops, beaches and a fantastic mountain, we didn;t feel as though it would provide enough job opportiunities for us (we're both in IT).

Also, it's at least a 2 hour drive from ANYWHERE - so if you fancied a weekend away somewhere (which we often do - just pack up a bag and head off for the weekend), then you have to drive at least 2 hours to get anywhere really. That said, it is kinda nice being isolated and away from the bigger cities, but for me, I like being close to big-city amenities, but not necessarily live in the city. But if it's not a problem for you, then definately consider it. Unfortunately it'll just be a place to visit for us.

Jodie

[captainxmas]

Cheers Jodie,

We're in the situation of my wife being a Nurse and I'm the baggage, but considering setting up in freelance web design. So at leats one of us will get some work!

I would be tempted by the location as it is very beautiful and we tend to drive 2 hours for a weekend away now, my wife's father lives over Gisborne/Wairoa way. Would that be 2 hours too or a bit more?

Rich

[Jodie]

Hmmm, I think Gisborne would be a lot more than 2 hours away. It took us about 2 hours to get from NP to Palmerston North, and it must be another 2 hours from there to Gisborne I'd guess.... The roads around the Taranaki area are pretty awful - yes they're wide and clear, but there's loads of potholes and bumps so you can't really go too much over 80kmph (Well we couldn't in our little car anyway!) ;)

So do you do web design at the mo? I ran a web business in the UK before coming out here - I'm now working for a web design company in Welly. Would you look to work for someone or would you rather setup yourself?

Cheers,

Jodie

[Dave & Sandra]

It seems to be the general rule that it is 2 hours from one major centre to another. Is that how far a horse and cart can travel in one day? Is it an old settlers thing?

This will give you a laugh. I was at the chiropractors tonight and was chatting to the receptionist about not having been in Feilding for long. Me neither she said (she having spent 2 and a half years here). They made the BIG decision to move here for her husband's promotion from Wanganui. She said they went back to visit quite a lot after their move but haven't done as much recently as they have now made new friends in Feilding.

Wanganui is ONE hour's drive away. Can you believe it :eek But it's like they've journeyed to the other side of the world. Some people in the UK take that long and a lot more to commute to work every day. I only lived 6 miles from work but it took me 30 mins to get there. :roll:

[captainxmas]

Jodie

Cheers for the info.

As for the Web Design, I am getting myself some experience after a redundancy, as for when we are 'in country' I'm keeping an open mind. All depends on the next few months, it could be a chance to pursue some job satisfaction for a change.

We're also keeping things on hold for a few months to see if we can go a little later as a family of three.

Regards

CC :nice1

[Babette & Andy]

Hi Rich, just found this thread.
Agree with all that Jodie has already stated above. I lived in NP as a child for a few years (my dad was seconded over there for a while), and have nothing but fond memories.

When we were in NZ (Nelson) in April, my eldest sister (was adopted in NP 26yrs ago) and I went back there for the day to meet her birth mum and family. The way Jodie described it above, is so true. We were there on a wonderfully sunny day and walked along the sea front, gazing over the ocean. Bliss :nice1 Also quickly visited my old primary school and house. Memories all restored again.

For us it's also a destination we'd like to consider, but unfortunately we'd have to be very lucky to find IT Project Mgmt jobs there. However, if you have the skills required in the Taranaki region, and want a slower pace of life in a wonderful surrounding - Go for it :nice1

Happy travelling.
Babette :cheers

[Paul and Linda]

Hi All,
We are flying off to New Plymouth on Monday 19th Sept 2005. I have a job there to start with Shell Oil. We'll keep you all updated with pics and such once we got the computer up and runnning.

All the best

Paul and Linda

[baboonworld]

I lived in NP when I was about 20. Hated it - but that was partly that i worked 3 part time jobs cos i couldnt get a decent well paid fulltime job. Also it is quite far away from all the big cities.

I seemed to take ages to drive down to my mums in Upper Hutt and even longer to get across to my Dads in Havelock Nth.

I was never looking for some big pub/club scene but too many evenings in the workingmans club soon get to you!

It had a very high unemployment rate and low pay rate.

Unless - of course like you - you get a job with an oil company - and there are a lot of big opporunities there.

Sorry to be negative - it was a lovely place for coutryside/bush/driving etc, (also had a cr*p boyfriend at the time so that doesnt help the memories does it!!)

The front is nice! esp the southern and northern ends of town!

[DLW]

Hi

We (my hubby) was oferred a job in NP, lots of Industry down there (I'm speaking from Papamoa, Nr Tauranga, Bay of Plenty) Most employers would pay over and above the general rate of pay.

NP is very isolated and the roads intpo NP (only two of them) are pretty horrendous! I suffered from travel sickness,... and I was driving!!!!.. like one of the previous contributors mentioned, you wouldn't just decide to go away for the weekend, as the journey would be arduous to say the least!

It's definately worth a look, it depends on what you want, good surf beaches, but as we found out, even alot of the NZ'rs haven't visited NP, just because it's so out of the way, and not en-route to anywhere!

In saying that though, was one of the largest growth areas in NZ this last few month's

Sorry for the mixed message. It's up to personal requirements I suppose, but I wanted to spend some of our weekends seeing NZ, and the thought of driving out of NP on the windy roads would haveput me off!