New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[Wayne Potgieter]

Has anyone here in NZ bought some some nice panniers for a bicycle that can carry a laptop and keep it dry and clean? (Or maybe you have seen some somewhere?) 

 

Something like this?

 

https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/BABGPN8LF/title/blackburn-local-pannier

 

You might need a seperate laptop sleeve for some extra protection?

[DawieO]

Thats a great point. Thanks.

 

Ill keep looking. Key for me is having a single wheel.

 

Put a kickstand on it.

[Wayne Potgieter]

So the CEO has given us the green light to move out of Auckland.

 

Her only requirements are:

 

1. Must be near an airport

2. Must have internet connection

3. Must have cellphone reception.

 

Other than that, she doesn't care where we go.

 

We get to keep our Auckland salary.

 

So, if you could live anywhere in NZ whilst observing those rules, where would you live?

 

We are outdoorsy and love travelling and road trips so places with stuff to do within a 3-4 hour drive is a good selling point. We plan to rent for a year and then buy. So a place with up and coming property market. We are also looking for decile 9 or 10 intermediate and High School.

 

So far, top of our list is CHC and Nelson with CHC leading slightly.

 

So let me know your opinion and why.

 

Thanks peeps.

[davetapson]

So the CEO has given us the green light to move out of Auckland.

 

 

That is a score!

 

My 'cover all bases' thought process would probably add - 'if this job goes south, what would my chances of getting another job in the area be?' and add that to my list of pro's and cons.

 

But damn.  Well done. 

 

Edit: the software architect at the place I'm working resigned and left for CHC, so there must be a bit of something happening there...

Edited February 23, 2020 by davetapson

[patches]

So the CEO has given us the green light to move out of Auckland.

 

Her only requirements are:

 

1. Must be near an airport

2. Must have internet connection

3. Must have cellphone reception.

 

Other than that, she doesn't care where we go.

 

We get to keep our Auckland salary.

 

So, if you could live anywhere in NZ whilst observing those rules, where would you live?

 

We are outdoorsy and love travelling and road trips so places with stuff to do within a 3-4 hour drive is a good selling point. We plan to rent for a year and then buy. So a place with up and coming property market. We are also looking for decile 9 or 10 intermediate and High School.

 

So far, top of our list is CHC and Nelson with CHC leading slightly.

 

So let me know your opinion and why.

 

Thanks peeps.

 

Hot damn! that's awesome!

 

Well it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the CHC, and it just keeps getting better. The work they have done on the river/terrace side of the CBD is awesome. Massive transformation form when I first moved there, nearly 4yrs ago.

 

So if I had my choice, this would be my top 5.

1. Christchurch
2. Cromwell/Mt Pisa
3. Wanaka
4. Queenstown/Frankton/Arrowtown
5. Richmond/Nelson

The order of those may change depending on what I'm thinking at the time, but here are the reasons that No's 2-5 are not No.1.

 

Cromwell - Beautiful. Way more affordable than Queenstown or Wanaka, but not far form them (so international airport within 1hr). Has most of what one needs. Lakeside houses (Mt Pisa) and lifestyle blocks are abundant, but not overcrowded. Downside is that it will still feel small and possibly isolated. Property there is also on the rise, so it may not be affordable for much longer.

 

Wanaka - It's no secret that Wanaka is an amazing town. Similar to the above, it's within 1hr of the QT airport. The downside is that the property there is already crazy expensive, and the town has almost gentrified too much. there's a slight smugness that veils it.

 

Queenstown - It's like Disneyland for people that love adventure! like Wanaka though, the downside is that property is ridiculous, and the town's popularity may get tiresome to a resident when there are constant streams of tourists.

 

Richmond/Nelson - Both these towns are awesome. To me they're kinda one-and-the-same (don't let the locals hear that though). they're big enough to have the modern conveniences. there's also so much variety nearby, form the Marlborough Sounds, to awesome beaches (Abel Tasman), to great mountainous areas (Nelson Lakes National Park). Plus they're 2 of the sunniest places in NZ. I'm not sure of the property growth side of things though. I'd have to look into that

 

and finally, why if I were in your position, I would pick Christchurch:

 

• International Airport - Check
• Good Schools (CHC Boys & Girls high schools and others).
• Big enough to have almost everything you could need.
• Redeveloped parts of town are awesome
• Hagley Park!
• Decent weather almost year round (winter gets a little nippy, but at least not incessantly rainy like Auckland)
• House prices are still affordable in some decent areas
• Residential water is free
• The Port Hills are awesome for hikes and bike rides with the family.
• City is flat-flat-flat and has plenty of cycle lanes, so commuting by bike is very viable.
• Decent bus network, and buses have bike racks on the front.
• Fairly central on the South Island, so QT, nelson, the glaciers, etc are all drivable for a long weekend.
• Ski slopes within 1hr in winter.

So yeah, for a family I think it's a good option... but yeah, I'm a little biased, haha!

Edited February 24, 2020 by patches

[Wayne Potgieter]

 

 

My 'cover all bases' thought process would probably add - 'if this job goes south, what would my chances of getting another job in the area be?' 

 

 

This is an excellent point - Thanks

[Wayne Potgieter]

Hot damn! that's awesome!

 

Well it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the CHC, and it just keeps getting better. The work they have done on the river/terrace side of the CBD is awesome. Massive transformation form when I first moved there, nearly 4yrs ago.

 

So if I had my choice, this would be my top 5.

1. Christchurch
2. Cromwell/Mt Pisa
3. Wanaka
4. Queenstown/Frankton/Arrowtown
5. Richmond/Nelson

The order of those may change depending on what I'm thinking at the time, but here are the reasons that No's 2-5 are not No.1.

 

Cromwell - Beautiful. Way more affordable than Queenstown or Wanaka, but not far form them (so international airport within 1hr). Has most of what one needs. Lakeside houses (Mt Pisa) and lifestyle blocks are abundant, but not overcrowded. Downside is that it will still feel small and possibly isolated. Property there is also on the rise, so it may not be affordable for much longer.

 

Wanaka - It's no secret that Wanaka is an amazing town. Similar to the above, it's within 1hr of the QT airport. The downside is that the property there is already crazy expensive, and the town has almost gentrified too much. there's a slight smugness that veils it.

 

Queenstown - It's like Disneyland for people that love adventure! like Wanaka though, the downside is that property is ridiculous, and the town's popularity may get tiresome to a resident when there are constant streams of tourists.

 

Richmond/Nelson - Both these towns are awesome. To me they're kinda one-and-the-same (don't let the locals hear that though). they're big enough to have the modern conveniences. there's also so much variety nearby, form the Marlborough Sounds, to awesome beaches (Abel Tasman), to great mountainous areas (Nelson Lakes National Park). Plus they're 2 of the sunniest places in NZ. I'm not sure of the property growth side of things though. I'd have to look into that

 

and finally, why if I were in your position, I would pick Christchurch:

 

• International Airport - Check
• Good Schools (CHC Boys & Girls high schools and others).
• Big enough to have almost everything you could need.
• Redeveloped parts of town are awesome
• Hagley Park!
• Decent weather almost year round (winter gets a little nippy, but at least not incessantly rainy like Auckland)
• House prices are still affordable in some decent areas
• Residential water is free
• The Port Hills are awesome for hikes and bike rides with the family.
• City is flat-flat-flat and has plenty of cycle lanes, so commuting by bike is very viable.
• Decent bus network, and buses have bike racks on the front.
• Fairly central on the South Island, so QT, nelson, the glaciers, etc are all drivable for a long weekend.
• Ski slopes within 1hr in winter.

So yeah, for a family I think it's a good option... but yeah, I'm a little biased, haha!

 

 

The port hills area is our #1 pick for location. Somewhere between there and Sumner.

 

Excellent advice Patches. Thanks

[patches]

The port hills area is our #1 pick for location. Somewhere between there and Sumner.

 

Excellent advice Patches. Thanks

 

Cashmere and Huntsbury are awesome areas.

 

Mount Pleasant is also pretty cool. On the edge of the hills, and close to Sumner.

[DawieO]

So the CEO has given us the green light to move out of Auckland.

 

Her only requirements are:

 

1. Must be near an airport

2. Must have internet connection

3. Must have cellphone reception.

 

Other than that, she doesn't care where we go.

 

We get to keep our Auckland salary.

 

So, if you could live anywhere in NZ whilst observing those rules, where would you live?

 

We are outdoorsy and love travelling and road trips so places with stuff to do within a 3-4 hour drive is a good selling point. We plan to rent for a year and then buy. So a place with up and coming property market. We are also looking for decile 9 or 10 intermediate and High School.

 

So far, top of our list is CHC and Nelson with CHC leading slightly.

 

So let me know your opinion and why.

 

Thanks peeps.

How about up North? Whangarei is lovely and so is the coast around Tutukaka

[hayleyearth]

To all the kiwi peeps.

 

On TVNZ on demand is a series called “people on bikes” that profiles great kiwi rides around the country. It’s worth a watch!

 

 

Watched the 2nd episode yesterday, now I just want to go on another cycling trip!

We live in an amazing country!

[hayleyearth]

Hot damn! that's awesome!

 

Well it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the CHC, and it just keeps getting better. The work they have done on the river/terrace side of the CBD is awesome. Massive transformation form when I first moved there, nearly 4yrs ago.

 

So if I had my choice, this would be my top 5.

1. Christchurch
2. Cromwell/Mt Pisa
3. Wanaka
4. Queenstown/Frankton/Arrowtown
5. Richmond/Nelson

The order of those may change depending on what I'm thinking at the time, but here are the reasons that No's 2-5 are not No.1.

 

Cromwell - Beautiful. Way more affordable than Queenstown or Wanaka, but not far form them (so international airport within 1hr). Has most of what one needs. Lakeside houses (Mt Pisa) and lifestyle blocks are abundant, but not overcrowded. Downside is that it will still feel small and possibly isolated. Property there is also on the rise, so it may not be affordable for much longer.

 

Wanaka - It's no secret that Wanaka is an amazing town. Similar to the above, it's within 1hr of the QT airport. The downside is that the property there is already crazy expensive, and the town has almost gentrified too much. there's a slight smugness that veils it.

 

Queenstown - It's like Disneyland for people that love adventure! like Wanaka though, the downside is that property is ridiculous, and the town's popularity may get tiresome to a resident when there are constant streams of tourists.

 

Richmond/Nelson - Both these towns are awesome. To me they're kinda one-and-the-same (don't let the locals hear that though). they're big enough to have the modern conveniences. there's also so much variety nearby, form the Marlborough Sounds, to awesome beaches (Abel Tasman), to great mountainous areas (Nelson Lakes National Park). Plus they're 2 of the sunniest places in NZ. I'm not sure of the property growth side of things though. I'd have to look into that

 

and finally, why if I were in your position, I would pick Christchurch:

 

• International Airport - Check
• Good Schools (CHC Boys & Girls high schools and others).
• Big enough to have almost everything you could need.
• Redeveloped parts of town are awesome
• Hagley Park!
• Decent weather almost year round (winter gets a little nippy, but at least not incessantly rainy like Auckland)
• House prices are still affordable in some decent areas
• Residential water is free
• The Port Hills are awesome for hikes and bike rides with the family.
• City is flat-flat-flat and has plenty of cycle lanes, so commuting by bike is very viable.
• Decent bus network, and buses have bike racks on the front.
• Fairly central on the South Island, so QT, nelson, the glaciers, etc are all drivable for a long weekend.
• Ski slopes within 1hr in winter.

So yeah, for a family I think it's a good option... but yeah, I'm a little biased, haha!

 

I vote CHCH, then I can visit when travelling for my new job

[hayleyearth]

Anyone wants to swap Rands for NZ dollars? (I want Rands)

[Ramrod]

Anyone wants to swap Rands for NZ dollars? (I want Rands)

Lets PM each other

[RossW]

This article came through my email a short while ago. I thought it interesting considering the recent discussion.

 

https://www.emigrationnewzealand.com/auckland-vs-christchurch-vs-wellington-comparing-living-costs/

[intern]

Lost my wallet last Sunday. Wasn't the least bit concerned; didn't even cancel bank cards as I could see no spending on them (plus I have the enormous advantage of having stuff all money).

ife went down to the shops today, at the beach where I'd left on a bench. Collected it from the cafe there - saved me a lot of hassle.  

[Luegar]

Lost my wallet last Sunday. Wasn't the least bit concerned; didn't even cancel bank cards as I could see no spending on them (plus I have the enormous advantage of having stuff all money).

ife went down to the shops today, at the beach where I'd left on a bench. Collected it from the cafe there - saved me a lot of hassle.  

 

That right there is one of the 1,000 reasons I love this country.