[Keith]

Just hit the reality check,

Just been 90% offered a Job Whangerie was meant to be wellington, but whangarie suits us better, I think !

Bit of a shock and it is no longer a maybe, ok have all the medicals etc to pass, but our heads are a bit spinning.

Lots of you have been at this point,

do we, don't we. what if, why not, will it work, will we like the area ?!

all advice welcome

what whangarei like, any suggestion on areas to rent

HELP Advice!!!!! :cheers

[KerryS]

Whangarei is a small town in Northland - quiet, but pretty. Who can say if you will like the area - what are your likes and dislikes?
It's the largest town in Northland, warmer than the rest of NZ, has a good sailing community, clean beaches, and plenty of open countryside. A couple of nice restaurants and bars, but as it is a small town there are only a few to choose from.

As they say, if you don't go you'll never know...

[pieeater]

Another one for Whangarei thats two this week,what are your interests?and who is the job with?pm me if you like.I've been here 5 years and not found anywhere else on N.I.I'd rather live.

[Rose]

Have you had a look on the internet?

Eg., http://www.whangareinz.org.nz/

Whangarei is a bit of a sleepy place with good lifestyle options and a lovely climate. Some younger professionals (engineers, lawyers etc) spend a year here before moving on to the big cities. If you want a fancy career, it's probably not the place for you. But if you are happy to be a big fish in a small pond, then maybe....

And it's close enough to Auckland that you can drive down frequently for big city excitement.

[Charlosparky]

Hi Keith,

We had a job on welly but are going to wahangarei inatead as we have relations there. We are told it is big enough for most things you might need (shops, jobs, bars, colleges etc) and although it is only a 65000 person town, serves a large rural commumity too.
Cant give you any proper advice as we dont get there until sept 9th, but there are qute a few rentals available up to 3bed size (4beds a bit more scarce).
the council have a good website with maps showing schools shops etc, a link to bus route maps, photos of the leisure centre etc. There is also an airport on the edge of the town (the flight we booked is a 12 seater air NZ shuttle, yet the Whangarei airport website logo proudly shows a boeing 747!! :laugh :laugh )
We have been told that there are a dozen beaches in half-hours drive, and about 100 if you drive for another hour, and also we know we are only a day-trip away from Auckland for any specialist shopping.
try-
www.wdc.govt.nz
and for rentals try-
www.trademe.co.nz www.allrealestate.co.nz www.ljhooker.co.nz www.century21nz.co.nz
What job are you doing and when do you travel?

[Keith]

Still in the early stages at the moment, but if we go for it would probably be 3 months away, as we would have a lot to sort out over here , house and all that do we bring the cat (think my partner has already decided that one)

The job would be in the extractive industry, which probably narrows it down a bit for those in Whangerei.

We are just a couple so the usual meeting route for families is not open to us.

We have visited the area, but thats totaly different to living in a place, as the culture in the UK is a lot different than NZ.

Starting to have a look at the areas in and around the area, but some advice on the good and bad would help.

Cheers

[mstyant]

If you are moving straight a large (ish) UK town/city to Whangarei (pronounced Foong-a-ray, or the pakeha (white NZ'er) pronouncation is Wang-a-ray!) then be prepared for a bit of culture shock, quite a bit.

The way of life is much slower and much much more relaxed, people dress very casually. It's not a bad thing just very very different. People are a lot friendier, but expect a wee bit of ribbing over the english rugby performance, expecially next year during the Rugby World Cup.

Climate is fantastic, tons of outdoor things to do.

[Keith]

Shouldn't be to bad then as we already live in a small west country village were everyone knows what you have done before you have actually done it.