Hastings

abourmike · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:26 am Post subject: Hastings

Can anybody tell me what Hastings and its surrounding areas are like?
I originaly wanted to go to Christchurch, so all my research has been done on that area, but now stand a good chance of work in Hastings. From what I gather the climate is good, but what is it like as a place to live and where would be classed as the nice parts of of this area (within commuting distance to hastings)?
Are there plenty things to do for a young family in this area?
Also, I find the prospect of earthquakes quite scary. Is this something to be concerned about as i gather, potentialy, they can be quite BIG?

elekie · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:21 am Post subject:

We stayed in Napier a couple of years ago and visited Hastings a few times; from what I rememeber it was a nice place with good shops and a great farmers market.

May be worth considering living nearby in Napier as there are loads of shops/restaurants etc plus cinemas and good sports and leisure facilities.

Hawkes Bay is a great place to be; the weather is fantastic, make sure that you visit the nearby vineyards for cheap wine and great food (must go to clearview) and take the kids to Ocean Beach at every opportunity.

Good luck !!! Very jealous that we're going to have to go to Auckland to find work.........

elekie · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:23 am Post subject:

oh yes - forgot to say, think the last earthquake in Hawkes Bay was in 1931 so don't worry.

Drink plenty of the local red wine - it has protective properties! Nice One

Raeven · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 12:50 pm Post subject: Shake Yer Bootaaayyy!!

Hi, abourmike,

I don't know a thing about Hastings as we are Marlborough-bound, but I thought I'd offer a few comments about earthquakes. I live in coastal Central California, so I've been through my share.

In short, don't waste a lot of time worrying about them. After you've been through a couple of small ones, you realize how momentary they are and how little they impact your life on the whole. We just had a 6.5 shake about 30 miles north of us (on December 22nd), and that was a pretty fun ride -- but apart from a couple of fallen ceramic items, we suffered no harm. Had a lot to talk about for a few days, is all!

A good friend of mine was in the San Francisco Bay Area during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, at the top of a skyscraper that swayed like a blanc mange but did what it was built to do and stayed erect. She watched as a piano rolled back and forth across the floor but was otherwise untraumatized. That quake was a 7.1 whopper in a very heavily populated area. While there was a great deal of material damage, only 63 people died -- a comparatively small number when you consider there are almost 7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What you need to keep in mind is that people get killed or hurt during earthquakes due to things falling on them -- old brick houses, debris from large buildings, glass. Since you are moving to a sparsely populated area and will most likely be out of the way of tall buildings, massive freeways and swaying bridges, you are probably pretty safe even if the area lets go in a big way. There are lots of things you can do to 'earthquake-proof' your home, as well. Strap heavy furniture to the walls, don't display heavy vases or plants on shelves over the bed.. you get the idea.

Really, don't worry about earthquakes. They're mostly highly overrated as natural disasters! I hope this helps a little.

Best of luck to you in your move! - Rae

susan · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 12:13 am Post subject: Hastings

Hastings is a great place to live and grow up! I spent the first 24 years of my life there. Super climate, lots of beaches in easy distance. Wineries are great. Night life a bit on the slow side and restaurants tend to close early. I've been in the UK for 23 years and am about to go back with my Pom husband and 14 yr old son. Schooling is good. Havelock North would be the desired location to live, a villagy atmosphere. Don't buy in Flaxmere and try to avoid areas of high density state housing. As for earthquakes, yes, they are occasional, but nothing severe for some time. They can be scary, but sometimes not even noticeable. I have been back every 2 years and seen lots of changes. Local economy seems to be picking up and cafe culture is huge. Go for it!