[Shazanick]

Any one got first hand experience of Hamilton as a place to live & work? If push comes to shove we may end up there - work reasons as you can imagine. Your views are much appreciated! Cheers! :nice1

Nick.

[Kim39]

Can't give you first hand experience of living there, but you could always commute from outside. We are living in Te Awamutu which is just a 20 min drive away. There is also Cambridge to consider. Being in this neck of the woods you are quite central to all whats going on around you. 1.5hr drive to Taupo, 1hr drive to Rotorua,1hr drive to the BOP, 45 min drive to one of the best surf's beaches(raglan), and a 1.5 hr drive to Auckland. Yes you just can't go wrong living in the Waikato:nice1


Kim

[Avalon]

Nick,

Im not persoanlly a fan of hamilton, but - i have to say ive only visited. Its just not somewhere that grabbed me. On the positive side though - some of the surrounding towns are quite lovely (im thinking of Cambridge as one - im sure theres someone on here that lives there - its proably no more than 20 mins drive), and you are not far from Auckland if you feel the need for bright lights big city at any point. Also, I hear that Raglan is pretty wonderful, and thats not too far from HAmilton.

Becasue do bear in mind, that if you have to go to hamilton for work and like me, find you dont like it, theres an awful lot on your doorstep that may make itactually a fabulous place to have as your base. I love Wellington, but just cant live there, and I cant live in the suburbs either. But living up here in the boonies, I get the best of both worlds, its not far to welly, and i get the open countryside.

Hamilton is a growing city as well, as more people move from Auckland and commute back for work. So while at the moment it may feel to me like its a tired place with not much to offer - it should become very vibrant as time goes on, and have much more to offer someone.

I know that doesnt strictly answer the question - but there you go.

[Shazanick]

Thanks to both of you - my word you were quick! What you've said is both encouraging and wise & I've taken it on board. Thanks again.

Nick.

[KerryS]

I can concur with Kim and Avalon - I have a house in the Waikto which I can escape to at weekends. I work most days in Auckland, but frequently have to go down to the Tron as well, so it is a great base.
I personally don't like the city itself - too small, too cramped together, too narrow-minded... there are lots of new suburbs springing up - Rototuna and its surrounds - to accommodate for the growth going on in the area.
The Waikato area is beautiful and I love it.

[Shazanick]

Thanks - it might just be the ticket then!

N.

[Manny]

I was talking to a friend yesterday who grew up in Hamilton, now lives in Te Awamutu. She has a 10 year old daughter. She decides to move at the end of this year because she wants to be out of here before her daughter becomes a teenager.
"why's that" I asked.
She sais, "well, Te Awamutu is okay, but when she gets older she'll hang out in Hamilton anyway, which is full of scum."

:wah It kind of freaked me out, because we're here with two boys around the same age.

Don't know if she's right, but she should know because she grew up there and knows what goes on behind the scenes.

Manny

[Rose]

I lived in Hamilton in three years - by accident.

I never thought I'd live in such a dead-end cow-town but I was offered a great job. What did I have to lose? I didn't sign on to the company's superannuation scheme though, cos I was sure I wouldn't stay the minimum 2 years. Silly me.

What changed my mind about Hamilton:

-10 minute commute to work, with no traffic lights,
-lots of parks to walk my dog including long walks along the river,
-gorgeous botanical gardens,
-becoming a big fish in a small pond socially and professionally (lots of opportunities)
-low house prices,
-Frankton weekend market for international flavour,
-great second-hand shopping,
-green city with lots of gardens,
-Scott's Epicurean cafe (southern end of Victoria St) and Hydro Majestic cafe (near Wellington St beach) for great coffee and fast, delicious and cheap bistro food,
-Cene women's clothes (and great service),
-Hamilton Film Society,
-the "Kojak" movie experience - you are at home and at 6pm decide you want to see a movie that starts at 610. You hop in the car, find a free park near the cinema, and arrive during the trailers. Brilliant. Same applies to visits to the excellent Les Mills gym,
-unpretentious people.

Other people have mentioned the good places around Hamilton. Raglan might be one to consider (but you are constantly commuting with the sun in your eyes). But I think the town itself has a lot to offer. And you can nip up to Auckland for dinner or a show easily.

Good luck with your decision!

[Cardy]

HI i worked in Hamilton for three months but live in cambridge. i,m not keen on hamilton and wouldnt want to live there. Te awamutu and cambridge are really nice and only about 15 to 20 mins drive