Anyone else for Palmerston North

N&S · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:08 pm Post subject: Anyone else for Palmerston North

Hi

We're on the home straight so far as our pr application goes. We have been bold and booked our flights for 1st October, completing on our house sale next Tuesday fingers crossed

We're moving to Palmerston North and wondered if anyone else is doing the same or has already done so, and could perhaps give me a bit more of an insight into the place.

We're a youngish couple, i'm still in my twenties, just and we have a 3 and a half year old who is really looking forward to having a 4x4!! nearly as much as his dad!

Sadie

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:19 am Post subject:

Hi Sadie

Check out this thread, Melissa (Mgoulet) covers your question quite well

http://emigratenz.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=897

Don't let the title of the thread put you off.

My husband is living there right now and enjoying it. He is currently in the process of buying a house in Feilding, which is 10 minutes drive away, not in the rush hour though. Not sure what that's like as he is still living in an aprtment in Palmy (as it's known). House prices drop quite dramatically just a short drive from PN - so it is worth looking further afield.

We will be golden oldies as far as you're concerned. I'm 50 and Dave is 60, but we're extremely young at heart Yes

, so we're not really looking for the same kind of things that you will be e.g anything related to young children. I think Melissa is probably a lot nearer your age.

Congratulations on your PR and completion. Just found out today that I can exchange contracts this week but the buyers can't complete until 17th September Eek

Dave's been there nearly 3 months now and I'm getting fed up waiting to join him. Should be able to fly out just before you fingers crossed

Good luck - Sandra

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:21 am Post subject:

PS

The area to avoid in PN is Highbury - not very pleasant I believe.

Sandra

mgoulet · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Sadie,

Sandra is quite right -- avoid Highbury. Hokowhitu is considered one of the best neighborhoods, and Summerhill and Riverdale are also quite nice. Riverdale is not as pricey as Hokowhitu or Summerhill and has river walks and several large parks that make the area quite attractive. There are a number of new developments in the northeast part of town, around Kelvin Grove. In addition to the new developments, a lot of younger families choose to live in Kelvin Grove or Cloverlea (northwest side of town). I liked both areas, but probably liked Cloverlea a little better. If you do not mind a short drive, Feilding and Ashurst are options. I liked both a lot, and you definitely get more for your money. What I found in my time there is that you will probably need to look at scads of houses before you find one to your liking, but once you feel you have found the right one, be ready to make an offer, as homes have been selling in as little as one day. The market has slowed down in the last month and probably will continue to do so as interest rates go up, so this may be less of a concern for you.

If you have any specific questions about Palmy, just drop me a pm or make a post.

Melissa cool

N&S · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

Thank you everyone

In terms of areas to live I think you have just confirmed what we were thinking.

We know a few Kiwi's who live in Hokowhitu, but also have the feeling that if you are a Brit emigrating to NZ that is where you try to move to. We've been looking on the estate agent site and you definately seem to get more for your money a few km's out. We were also worried that H may turn into a bot of a Brit Ghetto - given that so many of the new influx of hospital staff all seem to want to live there.

However, Neil will be working in Hokowhitu and quite fancied the luxury of walking to work.

We have friends in Feilding, also Kiwi's who are in the process of moving to Christchurch. Nothing to do with the recent floods...... but the fact they were so severe in Fielding does worry us.

So the other nice areas you mention are all in contemplation and we think we might like a new build, so we can have a nice kitchen (hubbies idea not mine!!!!!)

We'll see, keep an open mind is what I reckon.

Sadie

Caven · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:09 am Post subject:

Hello all,

My wife, I and young Elle are in the process of moving to Palmy, also. I've landed a job within the NZDF and will be based in Linton which looking at the map appears to be in the centre of things.

Melissa, we are keen on getting in a catchment area for a good school with an established reputation for Elle, who has just turned a big five. We are also, howvever, wanting to get as much for our money as possible regards house buying. Do you know of any areas which may suit ? In all honesty, I'm prepared to drive half-an-hour or more to work, but it's the school which must take precedence. I'm hoping to target value properties in good catchment areas that don't flood !

A question my wife keeps asking is are there many properties in or around the area with central heating, and if so, how much of a premium does it place on a property ?

Good luck to all future and existing Palmy Poms ! Hurrah !

Any help would be appreciated, ta much.

mgoulet · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:10 pm Post subject: Housing/Schools in Palmy

Hi Caven,

I do not have any children (well, human children anyway), so I did not look into schools in Palmy. Sorry I cannot help you much with that, but I have mentioned a few places below that I heard have good public schools, but I do not know if what I heard was true. I have not heard anything about the private schools.

In regards to which area will suit you, its such a personal choice. Previously in this thread you will see that I recommended Ashurst and Feilding as places where you really get more for your money. Both of these are about 10-15 mins from Palmy in no traffic. There were some problems with flooding in Feilding though, so check that out thoroughly when looking at houses there. Kelvin Grove and Cloverlea are slightly more pricey, and on the edge of town. Both are nice but you have to look to find the good ones. Riverdale is quite nice, and is in town near the river. I think that Riverdale has a good public school, and if I am not mistaken so do Terrace End & Brightwater (Parkland). Across the river, on the same side as Linton but west of the uni are lots of new developments, but they are very pricey relative to the other areas (and more than I can afford without a job in NZ!). So we settled on something more modest.

I met with tons of real estate agents while I was house hunting, a few of whom I thought were really great. If you want referrals, let me know. I do know of a house in Ashurst that will be going on the market (it might be already) that was one of the nicer ones in my price range, as well as one that is in Riverdale. I have pictures of the one in Ashurst. If you want to send me a pm and tell me more about what you have in mind, I can tell you what you are likely to pay. I can also give you the referrals.

As far as heating goes, sorry to say that few homes have central heating. Most have wood-burning fireplaces (open hearth or closed)and/or electric heaters. A sad state of affairs. Your wife might need to have this system put in that my friend has, which works really well, but unfortunately I cannot remember the name. It is not the DVS system (you will hear about that when you get to NZ), but it something kind of similar. Basically remote controlled heaters/dehumidifiers in each room with generator outside. Costs about $1500 each installed. A lot less expensive than putting in central heating and surprisingly efficient. I scoffed at them when I first saw them, but now I think I may have them put in my home. I will get the info on them and try to remember to post it here.

If you have other questions, just ask!

Melissa cool

Caven · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 2:58 am Post subject:

Hi Melissa,

Thanks very much for your reply

I'll PM you soon as Elle is down with a tummy-bug at the moment and needs me attached to her with superglue! Wah

Back later, C.