Auckland or Wellington

jodie · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:15 am Post subject: Auckland or Wellington

I'll probably start off a big debate now, but I was wondering if anybody had any views on which would be a better place to migrate to. (Or if there are any other towns/cities in the North Island that are worth considering...)

Obviously it will depend on where we eventually get jobs (I'm a web designer and my partner is a computer programmer and we are completely open to go where the job is), but looking at some of the info available, Wellington and Auckland are the places where this work is more abundant. And we would both like to be in the North Island rather than the South.

Is Wellington REALLY the windy city? This is one thing that I'd like to find out, as when we visited there a few years ago, it REALLY WAS windy (I nearly got blown over waiting to cross the road and had to grab onto the person next to me - they probably thought I was mad!! Nutcase

)

I like the location of Auckland - being only a short distance from the Bay of Islands etc, and did like the cosmopolitan feel of it when we were there.

Any opinions that could help me decide? (I've also heard people mention Hamilton - what is this like?)

Jodie

robernelli · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 6:06 am Post subject:

Hi Jodie,
I'm moving to Wellington next month. Never been there though I have been to Auckland and we liked it. Job opps are key I suppose as we may have the opportunity to move later. Wellington was always likely in my line of work (civil service related). I should have worked that out when we visited but unfortunately we ran ot of time to get to the bottom of the North Island.

On paper, Wellington suits me better in all but weather. However, having checked BBC world weather off and on over the last few weeks, it doesn't seem that bad with the wind. When its bad its really bad. However, more days than not seem fine is this is anything to go by. Plus, the harbour Iand certain other areas are more exposed. I heard that some areas are quite sheltered are relatively unaffaected. Auckland is warmer but Wellington is sunny and that does me just fine. As for Auckland being close to the Bay Of Islands, well Wellington is close to the Marlborough Sounds and is pretty well positioned for much of NZ.

As for other towns and cities, well Hamilton seemed ok but I would personally look for somewhere coastal if I was going to the trouble of moving to the otherside of the world, which I am. Tauranga is popular but not very good for jobs and salaries in most fields. Napier is also popular, the weather is as good as Tauranga but probably has slightly better opportunities. The wife and I were left unconvinced though by Napier as a place to settle. Have you considered Nelson? Seems very nice. I know its South Island but not far to get across to the North.
Rob

jodie · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:11 am Post subject:

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the advice. We live in Poole (Dorset) at the moment, and I think we're swaying more towards Wellington now rather than Auckland because it seems smaller and less busy than Auckland. I used to live in Bristol and moved to Poole/Bournemouth and prefer the size and 'feel' of it here.

We don't want to live somewhere too mad and city-like (I went up to London on business last week and hated it!! I can't deal with the rush, traffic, busy-ness and hecticness of it all!), but then we don't want to live in the sticks with no civilisation within reach either!

Like you, the only thing that's against Wellington is the cooler weather. Ackland seems better weather-wise, but I'm not an expert! I did really like Auckland though.....

Jodie

dctadpole · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 16

I currently have an offer from Wellington also. Like you, I have only been to Auckland and was horrified to see that the winds could reach really scary speeds. Everyone from Welly with whom I speak though assures me that the winds are `not that bad'. I was happy to see that you thought that sunny days were abundant. I thought the city was a little on the cloudy side.

--dctadpole

veronica · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:20 am Post subject:

When we were out the a couple of years ago both Pete and I felt that Wellington was a city with a bit of a Buzz about it but that Auckland was just another city. Veronica

dan-ish · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:35 pm Post subject: Wellingland or Auckton

Wellingland or Auckton,

It's a tough one. To be honest I don't think the weather should be a consideration as they both have their good days and their bad days. Confused

Buzz wise - I lived in Auckland for a few months and it has a good buzz. I haven't lived in Wellington, but I have visited and it too has a good buzz. Don't forget that Wellington is the capital of New Zealand so it is going to be busy, hectic, rushy, and city-like Hmmm

. It was when I was there anyway. Perhaps smaller centres like Nelson (which is beautiful) or Christchurch (the pros of a city, but not so much rushing, or hecticness) should be considered too? I know they are on the South Island, but so what!

The fact of the matter is that you are going to be there for some time so if you move to Wellington or Auckland, or Invercargill and don't like it, then you can always move again. Any of these places are great and undoubtedly better than most of England (Brum not included) Wink

So there you go, that's my two pence worth. Good luck.

Dan-ish Razz

P.S. I prefer Auckland Embarassed

jodie · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:08 am Post subject:

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your 2 pence!

I did really like Auckland when we were there and I think I'm more and more drawn to it - where did you live when you were there? What was it like as a city to live in? (obviously holidaying and living somewhere are totally different!) Did you work there too? Which parts should we try and avoid or definately go to?

Give me everything you've got! Mr. Green

Jodie

PS Not sure about Brum though... Laughing

dan-ish · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 4:04 am Post subject: Brum Rules!!!!

Hey Jodie,

First of all - Brum is great! Rolling Eyes

When I lived in Aucks I lived in an area called Ponsonby. It is quite a trendy area, but when I moved there I was none the wiser as I had only arrived in the country 2 days before Hmmm

! It was really nice with good amenities, travel links, and things. We used to go to Point Chevalier Beach for BBQ's and the Link bus goes along Ponsonby road and to town via various other areas, including the once infamous Karangahape Road.

Auckland has lots to offer people who live there. There are loads of beaches to choose from, and getting away for the weekend is easy and there is lots of choice, from Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island to Rotorua and Northland. Ponsonby has great restraunts as does Parnell.

My favourite bit about living in Auckland was sitting out on the verandah and chatting to the friendly passers-by and our neighbours. Being able to leave the front door open in the biggest city in NZ was pretty cool too. Also walking to the supermarket with bare feet. Also... and on and on! I think lots of people are biased against Aucks, but in my humble opinion it is unjustified Confused

.

Another reason why I liked Auckland was because the people I worked with there were great people. Even if it was just a temp job they were friendly and helpful to a fault. I worked in a shop and even the customers were kind and fun - not like the majority of them in England. What more can you ask for?

I know lots of these things can be said about other places in NZ, but there has to be a reason it is the biggest city...

There - that has to be at least 4 pence worth now. All we need now is someone who has lived in Wellington and loves it to bits. Then you will really have a decision on your hands Hmmm

Dan-ish

Moorf · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:39 pm Post subject:

And isn't it so that you get more points on your EOI if you are looking for work OUTSIDE Auckland?

dan-ish · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:44 am Post subject: ...

Moorf and co,

alas, 'tis so! You get ten extra points for not living in Auckland. The fact is you have to weigh that up against your chances of getting a job elsewhere and getting the extra ten points or having a better chance (probably) of getting a job in Auckland, but losing out on ten precious points.

I never said it ws gonna be easy...

Dan-ish Razz

robernelli · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:32 am Post subject:

For those of you who haven't visited Wellington, take a look at this collection of photos:

http://www.vnz.co.nz/photos/cities/wellington/index.shtml

And for dctadpole: Wellington has an average of 2100 hours per year. I am not sure how this compares to the US..I am sure it varies as it is such a vast country but compared to London which only gets about 1450 per year its great. Auckland gets about the same, slightly less in summer but slightly more in winter...according to official stats.

Rob