Moving to Welly later this year-any advice welcome

[Gingerpom]

I have been offered job in Welly this year and looking for somewhere nice to live, preferably with good biking roads nearby! Done some research (visited last year) and thinking maybe Raumati. Is it far to commute daily to Welly? Wife loves the area!! We're also considering Blue Mountains and between Days Bay and Eastbourne, also Moonshine Valley (too isolated?). We also liked it out in the sticks near Makura. We like being in the country/ near beach rather than city life but have 18m old so don't want to be too isolated. Bringing Aprilia RSVR in container. Can't wait! Any help/info/advice appreciated. Thanks.

[DMNTD]

I have been offered job in Welly this year and looking for somewhere nice to live, preferably with good biking roads nearby! Done some research (visited last year) and thinking maybe Raumati. Is it far to commute daily to Welly? Wife loves the area!! We're also considering Blue Mountains and between Days Bay and Eastbourne, also Moonshine Valley (too isolated?). We also liked it out in the sticks near Makura. We like being in the country/ near beach rather than city life but have 18m old so don't want to be too isolated. Bringing Aprilia RSVR in container. Can't wait! Any help/info/advice appreciated. Thanks.

Yep...buy a wind breaker!

All BS aside, buy a wind breaker!

[TrentNz]

depends. if your jobs in the city and you live out in makara/the hutt or raumati your looking at more then an hour drive/ride into the city.

[MD]

I was going to say don't come to Wgtn, the weather is crap. But I see you are coming from the UK, so it shouldn't be a disappointment for you. I moved here from the warm and sunny South island years ago and have just got back from holidaying down south. Reminded me how summer should be.

We often think about moving up the coast to Raumati Beach area to escape this Siberia. Totally different climate i.e warmer and dryer and way less wind. It's about 30 to 45 minutes drive but seriously congested by commuters at peak hours. Reasonable train service though - so I believe.

THe Wgtn beach sites you mentioned will give nice sea views, but again it's cold most of the time so you really can't enjoy it much.

Wgtn does have some great motorcycling roads on it's doorstep and is central to the good touring spots

Edit- as said. Buy a windbreaker, forget the umbrella. The wind will destroy it first day.

[BMWST?]

depends. if your jobs in the city and you live out in makara/the hutt or raumati your looking at more then an hour drive/ride into the city.

Makara is very close to town you just have to get through Karori a big busy suburb with a one lane each way street to access town,traffic is very slow at peak times,made worse by the buses.Lower Hutt is also pretty close would prolly be 20 minutes if you split,two lanes eachway into town and a pretty good train service too.Blue Mountains- Whitemans valley would be 30-40 maybe-50 minutes,as would Moonshine depending on which end you go to.

[TrentNz]

oh durp. im an idiot. ive only lived in wellington for 16 years :weird:
i was thinking its far away for some reason

[BMWST?]

I was going to say don't come to Wgtn, the weather is crap. But I see you are coming from the UK, so it shouldn't be a disappointment for you. I moved here from the warm and sunny South island years ago and have just got back from holidaying down south. Reminded me how summer should be.

We often think about moving up the coast to Raumati Beach area to escape this Siberia. Totally different climate i.e warmer and dryer and way less wind. It's about 30 to 45 minutes drive but seriously congested by commuters at peak hours. Reasonable train service though - so I believe.

THe Wgtn beach sites you mentioned will give nice sea views, but again it's cold most of the time so you really can't enjoy it much.

Wgtn does have some great motorcycling roads on it's doorstep and is central to the good touring spots

Edit- as said. Buy a windbreaker, forget the umbrella. The wind will destroy it first day.

the weather aint so bad but we do get a lot of wind.. and combined with cold overcast days it can be tiresome!But then the nice days are all the better for it.Many houses are lacking decent insulation and decent heating

[Madness]

The western hill suburbs of Lower Hutt are nice, Korokoro & Maungaraki in particular. You can get some really fantastic views of the Harbour & it's entrance, relative peace & quiet but only minutes away from the city.

As for the wind - I'd happily trade it for the persistent rain we've had in Auckland for what seems like an eternity.

[TrentNz]

you guys make wellington sound sooooo bad. its not that windy you just get real bad days

[Bald Eagle]

Raumti would me my recommendation, but then I'm biased cos I live there, it's a good commute on the bike if you go early in the morning.

Train service is Ok when it works :laugh: and the climate is better than the other options.

[Blackbird]

As a fairly impartial ex-Pom (1975) from further up the north island, I like Wellington. The climate seems a bit more benign up the Kapiti Coast and that's where I'd prefer to live. We have friends in Raumati and one of my riding partners is in Whitby which is a really nice place on the harbour and an easy commute into town.

[davebullet]

20 years in chch

20 years in wgtn

wgtn weather definitely = crap

[Crasherfromwayback]

The weather is fucking awesome. There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Rather live here and have to put another layer of clothing on to stay warm than live in Brisbane etc where you simply cannot escape the heat.

[TrentNz]

The weather is fucking awesome. There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Rather live here and have to put another layer of clothing on to stay warm than live in Brisbane etc where you simply cannot escape the heat.

Exactly! i had so much fun in the 16 years i was in wellington, i've been in chch for 4 months and its a boring shithole -_-

[Wannabiker]

I live in Upper Hutt and have commuted to Wellington City from both here (SH2) and Raumati (SH1). I would say the Hutt Valley commute would be a bit shorter and more pleasant. (my opinion). The SH1 has a couple of choke points for traffic (which do not pose too much of a problem on a bike).

Bear in mind, there is a planned express-way up that way, potentially through Raumati and beyond. I do not know what stage this is at, but something to bear in mind if looking at purchasing property....A bit controversial still, so perhaps one of the coast people can elaborate what stage this is at...or if it is to go ahead at all.

Days Bay, Eastbourne... the commute probably OK on a bike, but can be very slow along the Petone esplanade in the morning if stuck in a car. There is an option of taking a small ferry across to the city from Days Bay though.

Commute from Upper Hutt to city about 30 -35 mins on a bike in morning traffic. 20-25 mins in clear traffic.

[DMNTD]

... i've been in chch for 4 months and its a boring shithole -_-

You're taking the piss surely? I heard you lot are getting a "bit of action"down your way of late :mellow:

[TrentNz]

by boring i mean in the way of dirtbike riding, compared to wellington that is

[DMNTD]

by boring i mean in the way of dirtbike riding, compared to wellington that is

Plenty on new 'jumps' about?

[CHOPPA]

Im in Eastbourne, really nice out here

[mashman]

We moved to Porirua which is half way to pretty much everywhere you need to work. Leave for work at 8:30 and yer in yer seat for 8:55. We moved from Glasgow 5+ years ago. You can ride all year round here as they don't salt the roads :woohoo:... although if the Prila still has that shitty sidestand, you should invest in a better one as it will have a lie down on the street :angry2:. Got friends up Kapiti way and it is always warmer etc... up that way, but it rarely if ever freezes in the Wellie region. Compared to the UK, the summer is superb and the winter is mild... tis just a tad windy.

[TrentNz]

Plenty on new 'jumps' about?

in christchurch or wellington?

i know in wellington their was long gully, and then their was red rocks. and i had a mate that owned a big hill in happy valley with 4wd tracks and moto tracks.

and in christchurch theirs the waimak river motorcross track but thats the only track i know :no:

[pete376403]

20 years in chch

20 years in wgtn

wgtn weather definitely = crap
I'll take Wellington crap weather over Christchurch crap ground stability any day.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'll take Wellington crap weather over Christchurch crap ground stability any day.

I agree with you there. But...if we got a few hundred shakes the strength of the the ones they've had your garden may well be jelly too.

[TrentNz]

nah problem is most of christchurch is reclaimed swamp land. that and the concrete blocks used in the constructions in most of the christchurch houses arent even filled with concrete.
most of the houses ive had to demolish are brick and concrete.

[Berries]

Can't wait! Any help/info/advice appreciated. Thanks.
Make sure you rent before you buy. Even within 'nice' suburbs there are dodgy areas, just like anywhere else.

It's a small town by any standards, and sod all traffic by UK standards. You can get out of there and on to good roads in a matter of minutes although you are somewhat hampered in only having one direction to go.

You've got a job there so I won't diss Wellington - the good news is it is not Christchurch.

[sinfull]

If you can handle an hours commute, the Kapiti coast (Raumati) is the place i recon ! 3-5 degrees warmer than in the city, from around Pukerua Bay north (if you can see Kapiti Island you can feel the temp rise) lifestyle with beaches to the west and native bush to the east of you, market gardens at ya door, property is more affordable, The only let down is the one corridoor in and out of the city along the water front, Transmission gully will never happen in my lifetime ! oh and the wellingtonians moving north !
Train service is there (most of the time) but your fighting for seats nowdays and it seems it's now almost cheaper to take your own vehical if you have free parking in the city !

Hutt valley is a river valley (tsunami alley i call it) quite narrow and traps the cloud within it, so often leave here on the coast in sunshine and arrive in the hutt to gloomy damp stuff !

Being a coaster through and through, i detest travelling into wellington now, done the commute for a year once but soon gave that up and found work out this way ! Money of course is better in the city (depending on what you do) sounds like that side of it is sorted for you !

[Madness]

It's a pity that the Kapiti Coast (especially Raumati) is so mindnumbingly boring. Full of old people & solo parents and you have to ride for an hour to get to anything remotely interesting so far as roads are concerned - with one exception (Piecock).

[GrayWolf]

I was going to say don't come to Wgtn, the weather is crap. But I see you are coming from the UK, so it shouldn't be a disappointment for you. I moved here from the warm and sunny South island years ago and have just got back from holidaying down south. Reminded me how summer should be.
We often think about moving up the coast to Raumati Beach area to escape this Siberia. Totally different climate i.e warmer and dryer and way less wind. It's about 30 to 45 minutes drive but seriously congested by commuters at peak hours. Reasonable train service though - so I believe.
THe Wgtn beach sites you mentioned will give nice sea views, but again it's cold most of the time so you really can't enjoy it much.
Wgtn does have some great motorcycling roads on it's doorstep and is central to the good touring spots
Edit- as said. Buy a windbreaker, forget the umbrella. The wind will destroy it first day.

Siberia? Thats crap!
I am from the UK too, and lived in Invercargill for 14yrs (sunny south? :jerry: ) The weather in NZ is simply put, milder than the UK, it can reach very low temperatures in some places, BUT it isnt the damp miserable cold and the sun actualy does still shine in winter. Wellington weather is a bit windy, and yes it can rain here, but it isnt 'manchester rain'. What is a problem? is as there are big hills and mountains. Weather can change in a short distance or change quickly. They had snow for 2 days here this winter. (first time in 60yrs I believe). The average New AZealander doesnt 'get' what winters/weather in the UK is really like.
Weather aside? I've lived South, stayed 'North' (Auckland etc) and Welly is a fantastic area to live in (Wellington/Hutt valley/Kapiti) it is Cosmopolitian, has a diverse cultural base and it 'celebrates' that diversity.

Take the plunge, I would be very surprised if you dont like it here.

[riffer]

Putting in a vote for the Upper Hutt Valley here!

I grew up in Stokes Valley, moved into Wellington, then Newlands and the weather there was hideous. I moved back out to Upper Hutt about 10 years back, and I've never looked back.

Much better house values, more down to earth people, and the weather's colder in winter and warmer in summer. There's the Rimutakas on my doorstep, and the ride to Tawa each day for work has some nice twisties in it if I feel like it. Tramping and camping are fantastic, the fishing's not too bad in the river if you like that thing, and there plenty of offroad riding tracks all round. Great area for outdoor focussed kids. Very family focussed.

Moonshine Road is very popular and less than 15 minutes from anywhere on the road to SH58 (Haywards Hill) so if you can afford it go for it. You may also like to consider Maymorn and Whitemans Valley (over Wallaceville Hill from Upper Hutt) and Blue Mountains Road (over the hill from Silverstream) if you like country living.

Temperatures in Upper Hutt range from -8°C to 36°C. That's the records as far as I know for this area.

[240]

20 years in chch

20 years in wgtn

wgtn weather definitely = crap

Holy fucken shit are you kidding????
Winter in Christchurch is like living in a fucken fridge.
I even had the door rubbers of a car frozen fucken shut down there!!!
You can't ride on ice!!

[Hawkeye]

I have been offered job in Welly this year and looking for somewhere nice to live, preferably with good biking roads nearby! Done some research (visited last year) and thinking maybe Raumati. Is it far to commute daily to Welly? Wife loves the area!! We're also considering Blue Mountains and between Days Bay and Eastbourne, also Moonshine Valley (too isolated?). We also liked it out in the sticks near Makura. We like being in the country/ near beach rather than city life but have 18m old so don't want to be too isolated. Bringing Aprilia RSVR in container. Can't wait! Any help/info/advice appreciated. Thanks.

PM sent.....

[MIXONE]

Holy fucken shit are you kidding????
Winter in Christchurch is like living in a fucken fridge.
I even had the door rubbers of a car frozen fucken shut down there!!!
You can't ride on ice!!

Disagree.I lived in Chch for 12 years and rode all year round.Mind you I also rode here in Welly when it was snowing last year.:blink:

[rachprice]

The weather is fucking awesome. There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Rather live here and have to put another layer of clothing on to stay warm than live in Brisbane etc where you simply cannot escape the heat.

Pete actually loves Wellington more (yes more) than Casey Stoner...so don't ask him he's biased!

The weather isn't awesome, but overall it's not too bad

As they say 'you can't beat Wellington on a good day', and you cant - its magic!

254699
(Picnic + chess up Mt Vic last Tuesday)


But there are plenty of average and bad days, but I think that makes you appreciate the good ones more!
I don't particularly love the weather here but I do love Wellington, it is a vibrant, interesting city with much cultural diversity, which is not only accepted but embraced. And its not too big.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bloody chess.

[riffer]

Bloody chess.

Speaking of chess, I've been teaching my 7 year old to play. He's a lot keener on it now that I've explained to him it's actually a killing game.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Speaking of chess, I've been teaching my 7 year old to play. He's a lot keener on it now that I've explained to him it's actually a killing game.

Best game ever invented I reckon. I love it. More so when I win.

[Gingerpom]

Thanks for all your helpful comments-appreciated. Need to have a good look round the areas you all mention I think. Still sorting our visas at the mo so we're a few months off yet! How's summer been this year,we've heard it's no been great? Mild winter here this year so still on bike :-). Mines had sidestand sorted but we'll see if thats enough re Welly breezes! Can u use loud pipes in Nz?

[Paul in NZ]

We live in Raumati South and really love it there BUT the commute is a PIA. Raumati / Raumati South is a bit more of a Hippy town full of retired circus freaks, wanna be musicians, llama botherers, mystics and failed artistes but they are generaly the nicer types as well. Best of all is cheaper and BETTER living (even with the transport costs) than in town if you are of the not keen on cities type.

A quick look at the map shows you that its sandwiched into a very narrow strip of land so finding interesting roads here is tricky. You get very sick of riding an hour to the Wairarapa before you even start having fun but life is all about choice eh