[Andy-Dee]

Whilst we are fairly smitten by Christchurch we would also like to research Wellington as an option - this is due to OH being an IT bod with experience in Government projects. We were lucky enough to find some decent threads to enable us to prioritise neighbourhoods in CCh and would like to do the same with Welly.

Big priority is schools for our daughter aged 6, so where are the catchment areas for the good schools. Are there any recommendations on private all girl schools?
We would prefer to live in a more rural location than in the City so we would consider anything within a 40 minute commute.
Are there any areas to avoid due to crime, high winds or anything else??
Many Thanks
Dee & Andy

[Avalon]

We would prefer to live in a more rural location than in the City so we would consider anything within a 40 minute commute.
Are there any areas to avoid due to crime, high winds or anything else??
Many Thanks
Dee & Andy

That may be a tad tricky :)

Your main rural commute is the Wairarapa - and thats an hour to about an hour and a half. If thast just too much for you and doesnt fit in with the schooling issue (and I cant answer that at all), then for my money - ou would be looking at areas near Stokes valley between Lower and Upper Hutt. It can get quite rural round there - though when we were looking house prices seemed quite high. We were also advised to look out towards Makara. Thats to left of Wellington city on the map. Its out past the suburb of Karori, and apparently theres not much there. But - there may one day be a great big wind farm, so bear that in mind if its an issue for you.

If you were to head out of the city on SH1, up the Kapiti coast, you can find rural areas, but bear in mind most people go there to be in a costal area. There are issues with road traffic to be too heavy, but its certainly worth looking at places along there to see if it would suit.

You could also head out past Wainuiomata. This is a town over the back of the hill from Eastbourne, and so easily commutable. However - Wainiuiomata itself is , shall we say "a bit rough". Consequently - house prices are lower. If you take a look - my advise is to ignore the town and head down Beach Road which leads to teh most fab beach - Baring Head. Properties down there are definatley out the way. Im not sure id exactly recommend it - but It may be worth a look.

There is quite a lot to consider with Welly as a base - and my advise is that if you really want rural - check out the Wairararapa. Although its a longer commute - you may find it worth it. And you also may find you can work from home - hubby takes at least 1 wah day a week.

Hope that helps.

[sizzlingbadger]

We're also in the Wairarapa in Featherston. Hours commute each way to Wellington though, a lot of families are now moving over from Wellington to the Wairarapa because of the countryside and the lower house prices.

Featherston has 3 schools. St Teresas, a catholic school, really nice and where my son goes, can't ask for more teachers are great, all the pupils are really friendly and there's a good atmosphere. You've also got South Featherston a tiny school of around 70 pupils, a good school again. Then Featherston school, on the turn towards a better school.

Wairarapa has some fantastic secondary schools that rival Wellington's any day. Kuranui in Greytown and then quite a few in Masterton. Chanel is a catholic school with class sizes around 15-20 and our preferred option. If you want private there's Hadlow but to be honest the schools here are just as good if not better than private.

We also looked at Pinehaven and Silverstream, at the Wellington end of Upper Hutt. Both have really nice primary schools and then it's on to Upper Hutt College for secondary education, can't comment about that school.

Have a look at http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero/publishing.nsf/Content/Home+Page
they give you the school reports in each area. Take it with a pinch of salt though as with the Ofsted ERO nit pick but it will give you an idea of what the schools will be like.

Hope this helps :)