[Lake Isle]

Hi all,
My husband and I and little one (2yrs) are on our way to NZ, we were heading towards Alexandra Central Otago, but we've not been successful in selling the house here, we've managed to rent it instead, but we can't build our dream home in Alexandra because the money is tied up in the house! Instead we are heading to Wellington for a year or so (we will try to sell the UK house in a couple of years), My Husbands in IT and this is where the work is. I'm an ex-kiwi but I've been away for nearly 10 years and I hardly remember a thing about living there!
My question is, what is the best suburb for a family, we would ideally like to be close to the CBD, to save Hubby driving to work, without being hidiously expensive? I've looked at the Rental property web sites for NZ, but have no idea what areas are good or bad, what would suit us? Thanks!

[anna_c]

I'd take a look at Northland or Karori - particularly in the latter you've a good chance of having a garden, in Karori you have a local library, swimming pool etc, the city end of Northland is close to the Botanical Gardens. Both are close to town and on a reasonable bus route. Kelburn is mostly either student type flats or very expensive, but it still might be worth keeping your eye on.

Thorndon is nice and very central but may well be out of your price range. Brooklyn is another possibility, but up one hell of a hill, even for Welly.

These are only my impressions; I have not been looking for the same things you are, so my knowledge is limited. If you mention a specific area I can probably give you a bit more feedback.

[Jo_b]

My firend Louise, a native Kiwi lived in Newtown for a long time because there is a good library, the zoo is close, and she liked the hussle and bustle (she was a single mum living on her own with a toddler). She has now moved to Island Bay, which she adores because it's got access to the beach and is more of a little community in its own right, but it doesn't have the CBD access of Newtown. Personally, if you want peace and quiet and a relaxed pace of life I'd go for Seatoun and put your husband on the bus every day! I love it there, but it is very pricey.

[Lake Isle]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to have a scan on properties in those areas and see what the prices are, I'll also drop a line to the agents on the websites, and ask what may be coming up in January, probably nothing as its too soon but no harm in letting them know we are looking! We leave in 9 weeks! We're having a long holiday in Central Otago first and a lovely summer xmas! Can't wait!

[Smiler]

Lake Isle

There's quite a few threads on here about living in Welly. Have a search for 'where to live in welly' and 'welly rentals'. There's masses of rental agents on that one too.

Good luck.