[Arclite]

I've seen a few places advertised here - what's it like a nice area or not really ?

Thanks


Arc

[sizzlingbadger]

Is this Riverstone Terraces in Upper Hutt, Wellington ?

If so ... it's a new suburb with a lot of new houses going up as I speak. No schools, shops in the vicinity and very little community feel. Nearest school would probably be Upper Hutt central but maybe someone knows of somewhere closer. About 10-15 minute drive to shops, schools, not walkable for kids as you've got to cross the main highway. We found when we had a drive around a lot of houses on top of each other and sections were small. You also have to be careful about looking at sections and the view, will it be obscured by anything in front. Not for us but maybe what you're looking for :)

[Avalon]

Big houses.
Looks posh.
Crowded and overlooked.
Views over The Hutt (???) or other houses
Kinda Stepford country imho.

Also not for us - but then we ended in in the boonies :)

[Arclite]

Thanks Avalon

I like the idea of Wairapa but I'm just too idle to commute for an hour into work which is why Upper Hutt/Riverstone looked good.

We'll be there in 6 weeks so the pressure is just starting to come on regarding location. My job is in CBD by the way..............

cheers

Arc

[sizzlingbadger]

Riverstones doesn't have any direct access to public transport. You would end up getting into your car driving down to Upper Hutt Central and then getting the train, probably take you 1/2 - 40 minutes by train from there.

Have a look at www.tranzmetro.co.nz , you can have a look at the train times and give you a better idea of where you might want to stay.

We found for the first three months it was easier being closer to CBD and we stayed in Churton Park. Another relatively new estate and no community feel, ended up being a ghost town during the day but it served the purpose of us being close to husband's work. Then we moved out to Featherston. Quite an easy commute, 5 minute walk to train station and an hour sat on the train. It's amazing the number of people now commuting from here and it's becoming more popular all the time :)

[Avalon]

I coudnt agree more with SB :)

Its definately a good idea imho to live close in to work ofr a good few months. Wherever you look - make sure it has a good rail or bus link. Most of the suburbs do. Its just one less hassle you have to deal with at first.

Travel into the city is not at all bad - especially if you are used to UK commutes, but Rush hours in the car is still not fun. To beat it - you want to be leaving Welly at 4.30 at the latest. Yesterday for example - we left a bit late (because we were splurging on books thanks to 5 50% off vouchers - wehey - brought them down to a reasonable price). Left at 5pm - and took an extra 1/2 hour to get home. The traffic crawled all the way up the motorway and SH2 till the turning for Silverstream. Thats about where you would need to drive for Riverstone. In all - that took an hour!

So for my money - if you live either in the city (we did that just to see what it was like to do "city living"), or in suburb with good public transport, it will cut down on start up stress and hassle, and then you can spend the weekends looking for a more long term solution.

And dont be afraid to talk to people on the trains. And ask people you work with what they think of different areas as well. They will be ahhpy to tell you - and you may end up finding somewhere to live you never even considered :)

[Big Puku]

Riverstone's ok - you'll get a pretty big section compared to some UH suburbs (e.g. Silverstream), and they're all pretty modern houses - think the lack of trees means the can looked a bit cramped, but they're not really - most have views as they're all on slopes.

Not much soul/community feel, but there is an underpass to walk to the city centre, some buses and it's obviously quick to get onto State Highway 2. 5 mins max to UH shops by car.

Some of the other UH suburbs are nice, just avoid anything too central & around Te Marua IMO (although as ever there are some great houses everywhere).

Or you could go to Wairarapa and try and catch one of the 3 trains a day, spend 3 hours a day travelling and pay $300 a month for the privilege :confused:

I leave Wgtn at 5pm most days, and it takes me 40 mins max to get to UH - yesterday wasn't a great example as the Police shut the main roads to Stokes Valley (for an "operation" - tells you all you need to know about SV!) hence the pile-up at the Silverstream junction! It's the first time in 6 months it's taken me more than 40 mins...

BP

[Avalon]

Or you could go to Wairarapa and try and catch one of the 3 trains a day, spend 3 hours a day travelling and pay $300 a month for the privilege :confused:

BP

But boy you learn to drive fast to race the train some mornings :D

On a serious note - this is something that you would need to consider if you want to live further out. Its definately not for everyone. OH finds it OK, but hes used to driving 3-4 hours a day for work, and also - he works at home as often as he can to cut down the commute. We have friends who do the same thing - especially given Petrol prices and the fact that the rail fares are going up next month.

NZ really hasnt got to grips with Flexible Working yet - but it does seem to be on its way - and its worth looking at if commuting is not for you.

For us - hubby thought the house was worth the commute - and when it comes down to it - that will be different for everyone.