[sargeantmajor]

Hi All,

Me, my husband and our twin boys (who will be 4 months old) will be arriving in Auckland on February 15th. I have rented us a serviced apartment (Hudson Brown) for 3 weeks whilst we search for a nice 3 bedroom rental in Titirangi, Laingholm, Cornwallis, Bethells Beach, Piha or Torbay. If anyone has any big cons for any of these locations I'd love to hear them.

All the best

Emma :)

[aliz76]

Hi Emma

Welcome to the site, it's great isn't it? I'm quite new to it too, but have found everyone very helpful and informative so far. :)

BTW congratulations on your twin boys....I can't believe you're moving so soon after having them. You must be very organised! I'm feeling all excited at the moment for my cousin, who had triplets yesterday! 2 girls and a boy...all very much longed-for arrivals. I'm going to visit them at the hospital after work tonight...hope to get some pics (if I'm allowed).

I'm afraid I can't help you with advice on where to live in Auckland, but I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can give you a heads up. ;)

Good luck with the move and keep us updated!
Ali.xx

[pinkpiggy]

Hi Emma

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your twins. You must have your hands full. When did you find time to organise your move to NZ?

Afraid I can't help you with regard to Auckland as we're still in UK but i'm sure someone will be along shortly who can help you.

[Twig]

Congrats on your twins! And your move!

I bought a book called 'Where to live in Auckland' off their website (www.wheretoliveinauckland.co.nz - I think) and I would recommend it as a fairly good buy. I haven't read it all yet because their are tonnes of stats and figures that I admit, make my eyes go a bit blurry, but I think it would be useful as a reference (as it's quite in depth), especially if your already in NZ and able to actually visit the places.

Anyway, hope this helps abit.

[sargeantmajor]

Thanks Ali,

Do congratulate your cousin and tell her to get into a routine a.s.a.p. It helped me no end. As for moving to NZ I felt like my life was going to get way out of control so might as well go the whole hog!

Thank you Paula,

I did a heck of a lot of research before having the twins and had done a recce with my husband three years ago, and I guess it helps that I love organising things.

And thank you too Twig,

I do have that book but as everywhere seems to sound great I had difficulty at first in rounding down the number of places for us to look in otherwise we'd never get anywhere.

I will keep you all posted and will update on arrival when I'm up and running on broadband.

All the best

Em :)

[gil]

Hi Emma, welcome and congratulations! We live on the eastern side of Auckland, so don't have much iinfo on the areas you mention.
We steered clear of Titrangi as our four are all of school age, one primary, one intermediate, one college (high schol) and one uni, and it seems the west of Aucklnad is less well served for the upper age groups. I understand primary is good over there though. Still, that's not a concern for you just yet!
Must say it's a gorgeous area , went to Piha not long after we arrived and LOVED it. Just not practical for us though.

IIRC, Nienke lives that way and she has a pre-school age son. Perhaps send her a PM for more local info?

All the best, and let us know how you progress,
Gil

[Debbie]

Piha is lovley and we go there for picnics and days out but OH needs to get to the CBD so wasn't practical for living. I know someone who drives Bethals to west auckland each day for work but it takes her 40/50 mins each way.
We live in Torbay so if I can be of any help let me know.
Debbie
P.S Congratulations on the twins and your organisation skills.

[Nienke]

Hi Emma,
Welcome to the forum! As Gil said, I live in Titirangi, and it's great out here! Titirangi has excellent primary schools and 1 good intermediate school. So for the next 14 years you'll be fine here....and who knows what the situation is after that. If you have any questions or need some help, just pm me! Have a good and safe flight! :cheers

[Bruckner]

Hello from another mother of twins and welcome to the forum. They just turned two today! We'll be arriving in NZ sometime in August.

emily

[sargeantmajor]

Thanks Gil and Debbie,

We are both used to at least an hour's drive commute each way in London so wouldn't mind the drive out there if we get to live in a gorgeous area. However it is still something to take into consideration.

Hi Nienke,

I think Titirangi will be our best bet to concentrate on finding a house. Only question I have at the moment is: Do you have any real estate rental recommendations. At the moment I am looking at Trade Me and will also get the NZHerald (is it Thursday for accom?) when we get there.

And Hi to Emily,

I'll let you know how our flight goes with our two as I'm sure there are pros and cons for travelling with babies and toddlers! Happy Birthday to them for yesterday.

Thanks to everyone for being so helpful and wishing us good luck. Hope I don't go into meltdown when I've got nothing left to organise - mind you I think that will be a long way off! :laugh

Emma x

[Nienke]

Hi Emma,
I have no experience with rentals, but I guess you can just visit the local real estate agent offices in the village here and see what they have. There are a couple of them on the main streeat of Titirangi, you can't miss them.
Good luck!