Diamond Harbour

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:24 am Post subject: Diamond Harbour

What is it like to live in Diamond Harbour - easy to get to Chch - how about a commute?????

Found a nice area (and a nice apartment - see Realenz and go to property ref PP196510 !!) but needs to be commutable - we don't mind an hours scenic commute!

Jules · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf

Dont know about commuting time from Diamond Harbour, but the property looks really nice!!!!! Nice One

Jules

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:20 am Post subject:

Nice price too!! Hence our flexibility for commuting Nice One

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

Imagine twists and turns around the penines (is that the right spelling?) for an hour EVERY morning and EVERY night...if that is your thing buy there.

We go to a holiday home in charteris bay now and agin and it is great...but wouldnt want to live there. No high schools (I think there is a little one room primary school ) and the kids have to bus it to cashmere...more than an hour away. There is a ferry (passenger) that goes from diamond harbour to lyttleton and then a bus to town...I would d that over driving in, it makes you nauseas the commute...but that is just my 2 pence, wait till you are here, and then REALLY say..could I (would I want to..when I dont have too) make this drive daily.

I know you dont have kids, and so it would probably be ideal...but if you want to go to town for groceries...dinner out..etc there is always the DRIVE! you have to do...it would get on my wick...hence not living there and no intention too live there...sorry if anyone does live there....I am sure you love it!!
Nic

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:05 am Post subject:

Well, the road sounds great - we drive a Mini and intend buying a 2nd hand one as soon as we get over there (or if none available we'll make do Rolling Eyes

) - BUT, thanks for the info, it has allowed us to discount this area for at least the first couple of years as we know we shall have to work in Christchurch.

That's what I love about this forum, getting "on the ground" info to help with planning - thanks again Nic - that's TWO pints we owe you! Clink

Helen

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

You will probably go "what is she talking about...it is perfect!" when you get here!

that is 2 pints of lemonade...not a drinker...but will take you up on those!

Lyttelton is nice, busy(as in ships coming and going...bit noisy at night) and faces south so in the winter you freeze as no sun there. Diamond harbour is north facing and gets all day sun in the winter.

YOU MUSt get a house with most windows facing north as our winter sun is warm..not like the uk sun...just this yellow murk in the sky in winterin the UK . So peoples..no matter where you live in nz, get a north facing home no matter what (west back yard in chch then it is sheltered from the easterly wind off the sea....and so I could go on putting you all into a coma....I need a job!)

Nic

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:57 am Post subject:

No coma here - love your info!

Which area of Chchurch do you live in?

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:02 pm Post subject:

interesting kiwi! Yes

north facing - who would have thought - the opposite of here ....
do you enjoy living in chch? if you would and could - where in nz would you rather be....? Rolling Eyes

you know - gotta hand it to you - you are a real asset to this forum .... trust me - it'll all come back to you in good ways .... that's how the universe works Yes

sesame~

moorf, those new minis are just too cute!!!!! i love them! i, personally am more of a toyota or volvo person though .... hubbie likes the vw 's .... but in nz we'll be happy with whatever comes our way and is safe .... Yes

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

If I tell you I will have to kill you.

We live in North New Brighton (posher if you put north in front of it)

If you look on a map and see QE2, we are near there. It is near the river, shops,medical centre, swimming pool, beach, 4 houses from a great primary school, and at the other end of our cul de sac a park...perfect with a zillion kids and for us it works great ...if I was a couple I would live on the hill....view of the pacific..magic.

Sumner is really nice, but boy races are always out there on the weekends and it is quite noisy. Nicer beach than brighton though.

If you want land, I would go north, only cos of friends being there already, but lincoln is good, and tai tap etc.

There are so many great places it is really hard to choose. Confused

I will be interested to hear your comments once you get here and where you end up living....exciting!!
Nice One

Nicky

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 3:59 pm Post subject:

Akaroa
LE BONS BAY BACKPACKERS
Use the BBH Club Card - speed dial 5382 to book a bed. No card? ph(03)304-8582
**CLOSED JUNE TO SEPTEMBER** Family-run hostel in historic farmhouse. Open fire, sunny verandas, rambling gardens. Central heating throughout. Explore forests and hills, swim at beach. We run Marine Nature Tours $22 û Hectors dolphins, penguins, seals, stunning scenery and no other boats! Can be booked independently. Free breakfast, famously delicious dinner ($12). Free pick-up from Akaroa. Bookings essential. Take Highway 75, turn left 2km past Duvauchelle. Le Bons Bay Backpackers, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula.
Accommodation
? In Double Rooms:- 6 @ $22.5 per person
? In Twin Rooms:- 4 @ $22.5 per person
? In Dormitories:- 6 @ $18 per person (more than 4 beds per room)

BPP Quality Rating =94%
To rate this hostel on-line click here - visit Backpacker-ratings.c

http://www.backpack.co.nz/chch.html#201

this looks good! (well - for a few nights for sure! is about 80 min's from chch?)

sesame~

Moorf · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 3:42 am Post subject:

Kiwi - interesting - we looked at New Brighton initially - we live on the coast here at the moment and love being near the sea (although I don't particularly like the sea around the UK - always looks brown!).

Is the sea safe off Brighton - can u get in safely/beaches? Why do people refer to New Brighton as being a downer of an area? Heard too that North New Brighton was nicer - is it newer/older?

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

Hi,

You will see what people mean when you get here....it is not like the brighton at home.

ALthough...all the houses along the front...are being pulled down one by one and apartments are going up so people can actually see over those stupid sand dunes. In the 70;s when we use to come back here at xmas for hols from sydney, in the photos there were no sand dunes, now they are 8 met high and you have this lovely coast line and cant see it (the sand dunes have grasses planted on them to stop them blowing into the city...they look ugly and go for 8 miles along the main road there)

when I am old (as in 70) and when a developer builds it (Build it and she will buy!!) I am going to have an apartment on the 12th floor in brighton, so I can see the pacific, and the mts and the city and enjoy the view from behind glass and that easterly wind in the summer cant get me!!!

Brighton is still cheap...but no high schools near it again, and the primary schools are not the best (due to the poor area)

North shore and south shore either side of brighton is nice though if you want beach to walk on each day...I LOVE the beach here, and wouldnt move in town if you paid me vast sums of dosh
Nic

Moorf · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Hmmm interesting.

Whilst we love space and gardening, hubby and I did discuss using the open spaces in NZ instead of having a garden and perhaps buying an apartment/rent an apartment that has fab views of the sea and/or mountains...

Are the new dev's in Brighton expensive? I wonder if it is worth buying whilst they are still going up with a view to the neighbourhood getting better in the long term? Are there signs that Brighton might be smartening up - cafes / restaurants etc?

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

Hi Helen,
sorry I took so long in answering..I had to think long and hard (and it hurt!!)
By the time you get here, property will have slowed down (it is slowing now but will be quieter) New Brighton has just had the go ahead for a slow road through the street mall. Taken 3 yrs to get it, that might make a difference, and also property on the sea front is going for more than at anyother time. If you can get something that you LOVE and for the right price, and can afford it...buy it, you can always keep it as a rental when you return back...and I can manage it!!!

The highest apartment is only 3 storey, so you might get a glimpse of the sea over those huge dunes....if you want mts and sea, buy/rent on mt pleasant/richmond hill.....magic!
Nic

Moorf · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:35 pm Post subject:

http://www.propertystuff.co.nz/8f5c098f9b489a0c/details/property.html?id=29863&row_num=1&query_type=property

Kiwi - are these the apartments you mentioned in your previous posting?