Would you move to Auckland?!

[nate225]

Hey NZBBers,

Just testing the waters a little here.

Currently live in Hawkes Bay, (may have sold house today?), and am toying with what it would be like to live in Auckland. Might be hard coming from a lifestyle block with a small mortgage to a small flat with a life sentence mortgage?!!

I'm pretty sure can get a decent job up that way, (I'm assuming $150+), which is more than I earn here. However I assume the cost of living is pretty high up there? Though this doesn't worry me as much as not having a good training crew etc though, although I've trained at a few good gyms & have TP's up that way (I like Netfitt, Genetics, Les Mills City, Harbour's okay, Gillies in small doses, Les Mills Takapuna's okay if you ignore the fashion parade, BTS etc).

What's the verdict of Aucklanders & ex-Aucklanders on this one?

Inb4otherlocations. Yes I'd love to move elsewhere, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington, but unfortunately I'm limited to Auckland or Hawkes Bay at this stage.

[drizzt]

I actually quite liked Auckland for the couple of years I lived there. Sure, things were a little more expensive but there is always a lot to do. I just never really knew anyone which is the main reason I moved back to Welly.

Would probably move back up there one day if it isn't too overcrowded :grin:

[nate225]

I actually quite liked Auckland for the couple of years I lived there. Sure, things were a little more expensive but there is always a lot to do. I just never really knew anyone which is the main reason I moved back to Welly.

Would probably move back up there one day if it isn't too overcrowded :grin:

Gotta say I like the idea of being able to eat out at any time & having lots to do. We miss that a bit in the provinces!

Cost of housing? Schooling for kids? Where would you go to suburb wise Drizzt?

I quite liked the North Shore?

[drizzt]

We miss that a bit in Wellington, too

I was a renter when I was up there, so not sure about buying a house, but renting wasn't really as bad as I thought compared to Wellington, definitely more expensive but I'm not sure I'd say there was a massive discrepancy like-for-like. Had the GF to share costs with though, renting alone would've sucked! An example of one place we had was a 1 bedroom (unfurnished) apartment in Ponsonby hit us for $380 pw in rent alone, I was keen on places close to the city though so I didn't have to travel far for work. Lived in Herne Bay when I first got there for about 8 months, that was really nice but again, I think that's one of the more expensive parts of Auckland! (I had a tiny little single room for about $180 pw :pfft:)

I actually quite liked the Ponsonby-Grey Lynn area, and it seemed to have a good "suburban" vibe to it, while still being relatively central. Might be a bit costly? Don't have kids myself, so couldn't honestly comment on the family part sorry.

I looked at the Shore for an option, and would consider it if I was to move back in future, but at the time as I say I wasn't keen to travel to get into work. Did a lot of shopping over there, and quite liked what I saw of Takapuna though.

[tinytraps]

Move to the south bro cheapest housing around :pfft: And the media generally inflates how bad the area is. As long as you stay away from otara and manurewa your good. Papatoetoe is good money as long as you dont mind a few Indians :grin: IME we also have the best low decile schools around (Pap south/north primary, Kedgely Intermediate, Aorere College)

[I Declare War]

Hey NZBBers,

Just testing the waters a little here.

Currently live in Hawkes Bay, (may have sold house today?), and am toying with what it would be like to live in Auckland. Might be hard coming from a lifestyle block with a small mortgage to a small flat with a life sentence mortgage?!!

I'm pretty sure can get a decent job up that way, (I'm assuming $150+), which is more than I earn here. However I assume the cost of living is pretty high up there? Though this doesn't worry me as much as not having a good training crew etc though, although I've trained at a few good gyms & have TP's up that way (I like Netfitt, Genetics, Les Mills City, Harbour's okay, Gillies in small doses, Les Mills Takapuna's okay if you ignore the fashion parade, BTS etc).

What's the verdict of Aucklanders & ex-Aucklanders on this one?

Inb4otherlocations. Yes I'd love to move elsewhere, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington, but unfortunately I'm limited to Auckland or Hawkes Bay at this stage.

It's a hell of a change to a lifestyle block/rural life. I grew up on a dairy farm so it was a bit of a shock to me at first. If you're okay with a commute you can get a nice lifestyle block up here. If you look out by hobsonville/west harbour you should be able to find one. Takes me 15 minutes to get to the city center in the morning if I'm out of home by 6. Around 7:30am takes about 35-40 minutes.

Cost of living is much the same up here as anywhere really.. lots of places you can buy in bulk up here and save money.

I've lived in the city in an apartment and I wouldn't recommend it. Even if you can afford a good one... it just doesn't compare to having your own back yard or lifestyle block.

[thatwaslight]

Wish I had moved here earlier. Always stuff to do and always somewhere to get a variety of food (main reason I love it here srs)

Traffic is only bad at peak time and not as bad as most have you believe.

Rent where I live is Fuarking expensive but currently looking elsewhere, I'm pretty sure rent is alot more reasonable on the shore ànd you get alot more for your $.

Could never go back to chch after living here

[icecream]

As long as you stay away from otara and manurewa your good.

Hey hater! If this North side born and bred girl can survive Rewa, anyone can :pfft:

Seriously though, look at places like Wattle Downs (Wattle Cove),Conifer Grove in Takanini, The Gardens in Manurewa etc. Sweet little brick and tile suburbs in the heart of the ghetto <3 You wouldn't even know you were in South Auckland, and the rent/house prices are a bit cheaper.

If you're on 150k you'll be fine money wise.

[anyonehelp?]

Damn... Guna ditch me and Size8.... Who's going to scare off the Aesthetic crew hah!

[2rei]

I have lived in Auckland now for the last 7 years and never looked back.Moved from Hamilton & before that I was in Taupo. Lived in a few suburbs, Mangere ,Glen Innes, Mt Wellington, now i Live in Bucklands Beach for the past 4 years. Bucklands is great, good schools & close to beach ( 5 min drive to marina if that).

[Hitro]

Do it man.

$150k is a good salary and you''ll get by alright. Im on about the same and live on the north shore (hauraki) and find the cost of living fine. No probs paying the mortage and supporting the wife and kids plus being able to fund my hobbies etc.

Work down town and its easy as to get in and out of the city. Traffics not bad at all really. Couldnt ever live south of the bridge....the shore has it all. I have a sweet beach 2 mins walk away, good schools for the kids, plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants....its the place to be mate :wave:

[Yeah-Buddy]

Ive had this discussions countless times with multiple people. Those who diss Auckland and almost always those people who have never lived here. Moved here for work with the intention of doing my time and moving back down the live. After 6months I couldnt think of living anywhere else. The place is awesome, Sure its more expensive but its the price you pay for living in the best place in the country.

Good nightlife, sweet restaurants, anything big always comes to Auckland first (concerts etc), great beaches close by. If you avoid the motorway at heavy peak times the traffic isnt even that bad.

On a side note tho the girls do tend to be more fuked in the head here lol

[thatwaslight]

Ive had this discussions countless times with multiple people. Those who diss Auckland and almost always those people who have never lived here. Moved here for work with the intention of doing my time and moving back down the live. After 6months I couldnt think of living anywhere else. The place is awesome, Sure its more expensive but its the price you pay for living in the best place in the country.

Good nightlife, sweet restaurants, anything big always comes to Auckland first (concerts etc), great beaches close by. If you avoid the motorway at heavy peak times the traffic isnt even that bad.

On a side note tho the girls do tend to be more fuked in the head here lol

wow strong summary, this/10

[Optimass]

Come to the coast bro .... great fishing, great schools and far enough out that peoples eyes are still moderately close together ... you'll blend in just fine being that you're coming from the Hawkes Bay :pfft:

But seriously - if you are going to come north and buy property Rodney is where the development is happening. Plus it's the home of the famous "Coast Barbell" :nod:

... takes about 50 minutes on a bad day into the city (35 on a good day) ... used to take the same time from West Harbour (15km shorter trip)

[Bobsta]

You're on the right track thinking north shore Nate. We live in milford and i couldnt think of living anywhere else now. Walk to the beach, to the mall, to cafe's, restaurants. Two supermarkets where you can literaly walk to and from for your late nightly meat/fish specials

Hell you can even walk to takapuna if weather's nice (road or beach options) , less than 10min drive to city if no traffic. Rush hour in the morning smales farm express bus stop is just down the rd and it will take you to city in 10min even in the busy morning rush! Good schools etc.

Hard to find a rental around here and it would be quite pricey and to buy its gonna be pretty up there too, but you realy get what you pay for.

[Wookie]

I live in Howick out East.

I'd probably choose just about anywhere on the Shore as a 2nd choice.

Farm cove and Botany Junction are pretty good cause they're near the motorway, and there are some pretty sweet houses around.

Personally I'm seriously thinking of moving to the Hawkes Bay in time, haha.

[Outkast]

noway... its the armpit of new zealand

[liquid_101]

you could always buy a house / houses elsewhere in the country - rent them out and use the rental income excess to cover your auckland rent? i have a home in the UK that's in one of only two recession-busting areas and the equity and income excess are building up nicely for futuring investing this side.. .

[nate225]

Signed a contract selling the house today....fingers crossed it'll be confirmed as unconditional today!! :pray:

My bro just moved to Milford (from Amsterdam! :pfft: ) and he seems pretty happy with it. My good mate lives in Albany and reckons its sweet, though apartment living might not work for me?!

Seriously considering.

[bambam]

Could try silverdale, thats where all the growth is at the moment, snap up a property cheap over the next few years, not long before the northshore and silverdale will be one. Grew up on the coast and loved it, live in Devonport now And love that too.

[Diab0lic]

Signed a contract selling the house today....fingers crossed it'll be confirmed as unconditional today!! :pray:

My bro just moved to Milford (from Amsterdam! :pfft: ) and he seems pretty happy with it. My good mate lives in Albany and reckons its sweet, though apartment living might not work for me?!

Seriously considering.

[NZnoob]

On the subject of schooling,

Living closer to the inner city has some major advantages, as you are in zone for Auckland Grammar, Mt Albert Grammar and for girls, Epson grammar.

However, if you have boys, then from personal experience, the shore is just as equipped to provide them with good state education - primarily through Westlake Boys (The Shore side equivalent of Auckland Grammar).

Not sure how old your kids are, or if you even have some right now, but all of these schools have strict zoning restrictions, so it pays to plan ahead and move into zone before time. That way, they will filter through the primary's/intermediates that are closer to these schools and already have friends/ social groups by the time it comes to their most important years.

Obviously, if you want to go private, none of this really matters. Though North Shore private schools are crap, (again, been there, done that), and don't compare with the ones in the city. That been said, the aforementioned state schools consistently top lists in both academia, sports and cultural, so private schooling is totally unecessary in Auckland anyway.

I've lived on the north shore all my life, and some places to note would be:

Takapuna / Milford / Devonport: Central to most of the bars/night life and beaches. Though more expensive in general.

Albany: All the biggest shopping malls are out here, as well as both village and suburban life. Moderately priced for the most part.

Silverdale / Dairy Flat: Outside Albany, can get your life style blocks here, however is out of zone for most good schooling and commutes take longer.

Glenfield / Sunny nook / Birkenhead (besides the point) / Birkdale: Cheapest place to live in the north shore and relatively central, though far from a glamorous lifestyle (150k+ could afford better, besides birkenhead point).

Greenhithe: My home. Could literally spend your whole life climbing the property ladder here, from first homes, typical suburbs, to cliff tops. The suburbs offer reasonably sized sections aswell. Has the lowest burglary rate on the shore I believe. However, its not in zone for many high schools, and is separated from most shopping/night life.

All of the bay areas, Mirangi, Cambells, Long Bay, Caster Bay etc: Great beaches, many cafes/ restaurants. Can get pricier the closer you get to the water, but generally smaller sections.

[Jigga]

Just heard on the radio Auckland is continuing to become more expensive. I think it was 15th in the world ahead of New York and London. Welly was 17th lol

In my experience, as you move north of Southland the number of good cunts around becomes more and more scarce...

srs

notsrs

kindofsrs

[crazyfacials]

Come to South Auckland Nate, we eat our young here!

[two_phat]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6450486 ... ex-hotspot

Just another reason why Aucks is awesome