Nelson

ENZ · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:37 am Post subject:

Hi Charlotte,

Long term average sunshine figures for NZ's main cities are much of a muchness at a little over 2000 hrs each year. If you really want sunshine, head for Nelson or Blenheim. But then, you may not be able to study the course you'd like to in those towns. Hmmm

http://www.emigratenz.org/NewZealandSunshine.html

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Thank you for the link!

I must admit, I haven't looked at Nelson, or Blenheim. A quick look at the website for Nelson looks beautiful! I'm not sure if I can study there, so I'll have to do some research.

But I'm much heartened to read that BOTH Wellington and Auckland have significantly more hours of sunshine than London. Mr. Green

Gerry · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 1:59 pm Post subject:

Nelson has a tertiary college, recently renamed the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (annoyingly unhyphenated!). Their website is at www.nmit.co.nz. It is small and offers a fairly limited range of vocational and academic courses. The mix is somewhat eclectic so it really depends on what you want to study - you may be lucky.
Gerry

JCM · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 4:33 pm Post subject:

Another thing worth checking is whether any of the Universities run courses in Nelson. This is something I've heard of, whereby you can enroll for a course at say The University of Canterbury, but actually physically take most of the course at other locations (usually a college in a smaller town). I know little about it, but I do know it happens.

Gerry · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 5:34 am Post subject:

JCM is quite correct

There is a "Nelson Campus" (actully one building as far as I can tell) linked with one of the Christchurch institutions that offers teacher training, and I understand is very good. I'm sure there must be other possibilities. Even if it is a little more inconvenient, it's worth it to live in Nelson>

MichelleW · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

How big of a city is Nelson?

Michelle

Gerry · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:52 am Post subject:

The size of Nelson is difficult to pin down since three neighbouring communities, Nelson, Stoke and Richmond have gradually spread their perimeters until they are merging. The population of Nelson City (which I think includes Stoke) was about 43,000 at the last census in 2001, with the same number in the Tasman District, which includes Richmond and a large area of countryside with it's many smaller settlements.

If you haven't yet found it, www.nelsonnz.com has plenty of information and some useful links.

I may have the wrong person Michelle, but weren't you interested in a nursing course? If so, this is available in Nelson and last week they boasted a 100% pass rate in theri graduating class.

Good luck in your search to find your favourite NZ location. I hope, however, you are not too fond of Orlando because wherever you go will be startlingly different!

Gerry

MichelleW · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:26 am Post subject:

Hi Gerry,
thanks for the link.I will check it out.Yep i'm the one who wants to study nursing.Do you know the name of the uni there?
The only time I like Orlando is while i'm at Disney World.It's a good place to vacation but in my opinion the worst place i've lived in.

Clink

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Thanks JCM and Gerry,

I've read the link, Nelson looks BEAUTIFUL. And I can do my course there.

It's a bit smaller than Wellington - is the public transport any good in Nelson City? What about Healthcare?

I like the fact that it's an artist's community of sorts, because my husband makes designer lamps - and he's looking to work with glassblowers. Does Nelson have a similar 'quirky' feel to it that Wellington reportedly has? That sort of town really appeals to us.

MichelleW · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:47 am Post subject:

I just sent an email to Nelson Marlborough after looking at the website.Nelson looks very nice.I am also looking for an artsy sort of place.I recieved a reply today from EIT, Hawkes Bay and was wondering if anyone knows much about that area?It doesn't look like I would need the SAT there.
Charlotte your husbands lamps sound really interesting.Does he sell on ebay or anything?

Clink

Michelle

Gerry · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

Hi Michelle and Charlotte

Some quick answers to your questions

Charlotte -
There is public transport around Nelson - a bus which does a circuit around the city and larger buses which connect with nearby settlements. There is also a shuttle bus which serves to connect the polytech with its hall of residence and points between, I would be lying however, if I suggested thta public transportation is one of Nelson's strongest points. If you are going to rely on it, then you might find yourself selecting where you live based on its proximity to a service.

I have found medical care to be quite satisfactory. Because of its attractive lifestyle, many doctors choose to live in the area and I understand there can be some competition for surgical posts at the hospital, which is undergoing modernisation. There seem to be specialists in all the main fields of medicine, although if I were having open heart surgery or brain transplant, I might travel to a bigger centre.

I know of two glass blowing operations in the area; Hoglund Art Glass produces spectacular pieces at spectacular prices. See www.hoglund.co.nz
There is also Nelson Glassworks on Waimea road but I have never visited them.

I'm not too sure what you mean about a quirky feel to the place.

What course of study do you plan to pursue? Most courses begin in Feb although some accept enrollments in July

Michelle
The website for Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, which ruds the nursing qualification is www.nmit.co.nz

Regards
Gerry

Gerry · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:59 am Post subject:

Hi Charlotte
Then the answer is yes, Nelson could definitely be considered to be "quirky" within those terms. It would not be unfair to say that the region would be considered to be the artisan's centre for NZ and many people visit the region specifically to see and buy from those artisans.

Regarding owning a car, it is possible to go without one in Nelson, provided you live within easy reach of NMIT and your children's schools. I live fairly near the centre and walk just about everywhere, only using the car when I have things to carry. However car ownership is not as expensive as in UK. You can pick up a reasonably servicable car for $3000 (less if you lamp-making partner can turn his hand to things mechanical). Insurance would run you around $200 per year (provided you can supply evidence of no claims bonus), annual road charge about $250, WOF (like MOT) 2x $35. After that your petrol is only about $1.10 per litre. Now of course, while that may seem not very much to me, I am not a student so I suppose you will have a slightly different perspective.

Good luck and happy hunting for yor NZ Shangri-la

Gerry