[gpbenton]

I'm going to Auckland in the new year to look for a job and I'm going to rent for about 6 months. I don't want to buy a car until I get settled, so I will need somewhere with good public transport. I don't go to nightclubs, but I do enjoy eating out and a quiet drink at a friendly bar.
:cheers

I need some suggestions for districts to look in. :(

My first inclination is to get an apartment in the city center, but the center of large cities can get very impersonal, and expensive.

The Botany Downs area seems to have some nice apartments, but looking at the MAXX its almost an hour to the city center by bus. Are the buses reliable here? What about the rest of Auckland?

Can anybody recommend somewhere else?
:confused:

[MB]

Welcome, Graham. One area I would consider is Devonport on the N.Shore. The short (approx 10 min.) ferry run to Auckland CBD is very frequent and the cost is ISTR more or less the same as getting the bus (the ferry terminates at Quay Street, which is a few steps from Queen Street). Multi-ticket deals are available if you will use the ferry frequently. Plus there is a reasonably priced cafe upstairs for coffee or a beer.
Devonport has nice pubs and restaurants, a biggish New World supermarket, at least one good second-hand bookstore, a good library, etc. Plus Mt. Victoria views are right on your dooorstep. There are also buses to other good shopping/beach areas, e.g., Takapuna.

There are a number of neighborhoods and 'villages' in and around Auckland -- and I look forward to your getting some good replies.

Devonport might not be the cheapest place in which to rent, but that would be my vote. :)

[gpbenton]

Thanks Matt,

I hadn't considered using the ferry, but it looks like a good service.

I couldn't find a one bedroom rental in Devonport to compare prices, but I'll certainly keep it in mind.

[MB]

Thanks Matt,

I hadn't considered using the ferry, but it looks like a good service.

I couldn't find a one bedroom rental in Devonport to compare prices, but I'll certainly keep it in mind.

Sure, Graham. We visited Devonport a lot and almost rented there. Being able to glance across the water to see downtown Auckland so close, and knowing that it is only an uncomplicated foot-ferry ride away is a great thing. I don't know what your budget is but, as I suggested, the ferry is reasonably priced.

If you decide simply to come to NZ and to stay in a motel for a couple of nights while you find a rental on the spot, by the way, I seem to remember that Devonport is a pretty good place for finding rental ads in shop windows, local papers, etc. I just walked up the main street and found several such adverts a year or two ago. This might be an especially good way to find one-bedroom places. :nice1

[KerryS]

Devonport is ok, although I personally find the transport links other than the ferry atrocious. Traffic bottlenecks as well, and travelling from anywhere on the north shore into the city is terrible in rush-hour traffic.

I like the city areas such as Parnell, Ponsonby (and Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay), Mt Eden (and Kingsland), even Newton and Newmarket.
All these areas have great bus links into the city - most are actually walkable.
There are loads of great restaurants and bars in these areas, so it would depend more on what sort of character you look for in a place to live.

I did the CBD apartment thing for a short while, but hated it. It was so impersonal and clinical. I now live in a gorgeous old villa, with fantastic and friendly neighbours, in a wonderful area. Two minutes walk to a bus stop and numerous great bars, cafes and restaurants.

Look on the property section of TradeMe to get some idea about house prices in different areas. It's also worth checking out the flatmates section - flatting is really popular over here for single people. (I don't know many who have their own apartment.)

[willowshouse]

Wouldn't recommend the CBD at all - last turkey in the shop!

If you want somewhere reasonably lively - cafes, restaurants, bars, nice shops definitely have a look at Parnell. It was decribed to me as the most like Chelsea, London and I wouldn't disagree! Also not far from the CBD for either work or socialising in the viaduct.

If you like somewhere a little bohemian take a look at Ponsonby - cafes, restaurants, bars .. but a bit more quirky.

And unless you are entirely antisocial - consider the flatting thing ... instant drinking partners!

If, in fact you are training for the priesthood - ignore the above :D

Dawn

[gpbenton]

Thanks guys,

Parnell and Ponsonby look great as well. I plan to stay in a motel and look around when I arrive, but I just wanted some ideas to narrow down the search.

I've considered the flatting thing, but I've had my own place for too long to want to worry about somebody else's mess in the kitchen :o

[KerryS]

I've considered the flatting thing, but I've had my own place for too long to want to worry about somebody else's mess in the kitchen :o

I thought this too. I'd had my own place since leaving Uni, and so I got a place on my own here when I first arrived as I hadn't even considered sharing again.
But, I love it. We don't have mess or whatever - it's a perfectly civilised house that we share together. We eat together, so don't have the mess problem - and we split the cleaning duties (although actually have a cleaner so don't have that much to do anyway)... sharing when older is way more fun, and is considered perfectly normal here. I can't recommend it enough.

[b&k]

If you like rugby, the area around Eden Park (Kingsland) is a good bet. It has a good train sevice into town and is quite lively.

If you don't like rugby, the crowds and lack of parking on match day will probably annoy you.

I'd also recommend Devonport. My cousins live there and I have spent many a good day in the area. The ferry service is excellent - running to the early morning if you want to go out late in Viaduct harbour. The early morning traffic into town is bad - it can take an hour to get to the centre some days. But if you can leave about 0730, it's not so bad.

[gpbenton]

Thanks for all these suggestions. They might be very useful, but the one job I've applied for so far is in Wellington!

I was going to stay in Auckland because of the law of averages (more jobs = more chance of getting one) but it could be Murphy's law applies here!

[borea]

I've been living in the CBD in a one bedroom apartment for about a month now. In the long run, you may want to be a bit further out in one of the neighbourhoods mentioned above like Ponsonby or Newmarket, but the CBD might be a good short term option. There are plenty of fully furnished places that can be had immediately. You might want to get a motel for a few days, move into a fully furnished apartment for a while, and then have time to find permanent place without the pressure of wanting out of the motel as fast as possible.

My place is one step up from the many student sheobox style apartments. The building is mostly full of other professionals and it's nicely furnished. I pay $310/week, but that includes underground secure parking which is probably worth about $60/week. $250/week would probably be cheaper than you'd be paying at a motel. I pay per week and was only locked in for a month. However, I had to pay a week's rent to the letting agent, so you'd want to take that into account in deciding if this is a good option.

Check www.trademe.co.nz for listings to get an idea of the cost for the different areas.

Chris

[gpbenton]

Thanks Chris,

This was something like my original idea, however now I arrive in Auckland on the 8th, but I have arranged a job interview in Wellington on the 15th. :clap

I think I'll stay in a motel in Auckland for a few days to get the feel of the place, and see a few recruiters. Then I'll go down to Wellington. :exit

I'm going to start a separate thread to get some ideas about how to do that.