[Manny]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so first of all :) hi to everyone.

We (family of four) have been in New Zealand for nearly 2 years now, had settled and bought a house in a town near Hamilton because of job and were quite satisfied actually.
To make it short, my employer offers me a move to their Te Puke company, including higher (interesting) salary and $2000 for the move.

Hmmmm :roll , this opportunity is not something we get every day, so we really want to make the right decision. This has come as a surprise and we don't want to refuse the offer and regret it later.

My question is if there are people who have experience in living in Te Puke area, let's say somewhere between Papamoa and Pukehina, who can share their feeling about the area.
Even better would be someone who can actually compare Waikato with Bay of Plenty. We have visited the place but not yet with the eye on moving there. We love the sea but enjoy the country as well, find good weather, friendliness and decent schooling important.

So far I have heard nothing but good about the Bay of Plenty, but I'm wondering if it has his hidden dark sides? Schooling for example, I notice rather low decile ratings, etc...

Many thanks folks for taking your time, any input is more than welcome.

Cheers,
Manny and family.

[Carol]

Sorry Manny - I cant help with the information you need - but there is bound to be someone on here who can help.

Just wanted to say "Hello and welcome"!

[Smiler]

Hi Manny

I did a forum search for you on Te Puke and there are 18 threads, some are a bit waffley but you might be able to pick something out you need.

Otherwise I found this http://www.tepuke.co.nz/ which probably isn't a great deal of help is it? :laugh

Anyway Welcome to the forum :cheers

Can you take the time to do a good reccie trip?

[Manny]

Hi Carol and Smiler,

Thanks for the welcome and the tips!
Smiler, yes we are making a reccie trip this weekend, rented a bach at Pukehina Beach for 4 days. I believe we will get a good idea if the place has the right athmosphere, maybe we can look into some real estate, but it still is going to be some kind of holiday experience and schools will be closed.
We have felt that after living in our Waikato town for about a year, you do come across some things that you really wanted to know before you moved here, some are good, some are bad, but I wanted to know them. Does that make sense???? :wah

Anyway, I'll do a forum search and see what I can find out.

Thanks! :nice1
Manny

[Manny]

I was just thinking, maybe I should have done a poll. It might just be easier to answer a question like:
"If you would be given the chance to take your job to the Bay of Plenty, would you do it?"

;)
Manny

[Carol]

You could still do a poll Manny!
Set up a new topic......

[spudulike]

Can't offer advice but welcome to the forum Manny! :)

I have only heard good reports about the Bay of Plenty and have a friend who lives there and loves it. Only you will know what's right for you I guess and your reccie trip will give you a feel for the place I'm sure.

Louise

[Manny]

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all your replies :nice1
In the meantime me and family just got back from a long reccie weekend Bay of Plenty. We've visited places like Te Puke, Pukehina, Pongakawa, Tauranga, Pyes Pa and Oropi. The weather was fabulous. We've also had a guided tour :p from a real estate agent who showed us a few properties for sale in Te Puke and gave some comment of local schools. Even though it was 'just' a real estate agent ( :o sorry to all real estate agents but I don't know how to put it differently), it was the only real Te Pukian that we've spoken to, so I assume that she has told us the truth.

We really felt a difference in athmosphere compared to our Waikato. We felt that it was more lively and not only the sky but also the people's faces were much sunnier than what we're used to. Not that everyone runs around with tears in his eyes in the Waikato, but we really felt the sunnier athmosphere.

I think we will decide to move to the Bay, but still it is hard to say. We were still 'just tourists', trying to get an idea of the real life there.

Anyway, we got a good idea of the area, but still any comment is welcome. Thanks guys!
Manny and family.