Best place in NZ for a biker to live?

[JacksColdSweat]

This is not a troll nor is it intended to start a war...

The wife and I have decided we've had enough of life (if you can call it that) in Auckland and we're ready to pack up and go

We want to live like Kiwis - not like Aucklanders (no offense to any of our friends - most of whom have already buggered off anyway)

Our caveats:

1) I'm a fair weather rider and probably always will be - I ride for the scenery and don't care to go fast - the wife wants to learn after we sort out number 3 below...

2) We both like to swim in the sea so we don't want to freeze in antarctic waters

3) We have a 12 month old daughter and another one on the way so we'd like them to be safe and edu-mah-cated.

That's our list - if we can live somewhere that meets those three we'll be delighted

Any suggestions?

[BarBender]

Tauranga / Whakatane / Rotorua - Gateway to the East Cape and close to the central plateau / middle earth for riding. Good environment for kids. Access to salt and fresh water beaches.

Good on you for the move. Go hard.

[scumdog]

(1) and (2) both let the deep south out.

Hence why we have fewer people, open spaces and clutter-free roads....

[JacksColdSweat]

(1) and (2) both let the deep south out.

Hence why we have fewer people, open spaces and clutter-free roads....

Thanks scumdog... yeah I have to admit - I love the bottom of the south island for the roads... :drool: I'm hoping someone's going to suggest a great location that puts it within reach but still meeting [1] and [2]

[JacksColdSweat]

Tauranga / Whakatane / Rotorua - Gateway to the East Cape and close to the central plateau / middle earth for riding. Good environment for kids. Access to salt and fresh water beaches.

Good on you for the move. Go hard.

Roger that BarBender - Whakatane is appealing and we'll heading there in a month for a few days to check it out. Not so big on Tauranga although there's a huge biker ppopulation there I reckon - at least - every time I visit I see some very nice wheels without fail...

[DarkLord]

Taupo.

I'm moving there myself, tomorrow. Close to the racetrack, not far from major cities if you need to get to them, lovely views, peaceful surroundings.

[DMNTD]

Not so big on Tauranga although there's a huge biker population there I reckon - at least - every time I visit I see some very nice wheels without fail...

We moved from up North down to Tauranga a couple of years ago now and absolutely love it. Loads of good riding VERY close by plus an excellent crew of riders down here too.
The weather is generally outstanding plus the beaches are freakishly good!

[Maha]

Hawkes Bay/Manawatu have some of the very best road NZ has to offer.
The condition of their roads is better than up this way, we had the pleasure of riding those roads last September so yeah, Waipukarau could be the place :rockon:

[portokiwi]

How about Nelson. Never lived there myself but loved going their for holidays. Good weather fantastic beaches and yes very good roads to ride.:2thumbsup
If you get home sice for the north Island the ferry is just near.

[dipshit]

Nelson. ...

[JacksColdSweat]

Hawkes Bay/Manawatu have some of the very best road NZ has to offer.
The condition of their roads is better than up this way, we had the pleasure of riding those roads last September so yeah, Waipukarau could be the place :rockon:

Funnily enough my bike came to me from Waipukurau... maybe it's been "sending me the subliminals..."

[JacksColdSweat]

I should point out obviously NZ isn't that big of a place so I obviously do have some ideas about where I could go having lived here for all 36 years of my life... but I'm trying not to colour people's opinions... I'm hoping people who've had good experiences moving from AKL to somewhere - or other well travelled people will offer an uncanvassed opinion about where they live...

:beer:

[Maha]

Funnily enough my bike came to me from Waipukurau... maybe it's been "sending me the subliminals..."

I was joking about Waipuk....but those roads out east of Danniverke through to Napier? :love:

[Quasievil]

Hamilton, great roads in every direction, 30 mins to a good beach 1 hour to Auckland, great schools and its the motorsport capital of NZ

Central to everything.

[Badjelly]

South Island for the roads and scenery. West coast is ruled out by weather. South and east are ruled out by water temperature (unfortunately). Nelson. Nelson. Nelson.

PS: I'm not anti-North Island. I've lived most of my life in Auckland and then Wellington. I love living in Wellington and I like to visit Auckland. But roads and scenery? South Island.

[MSTRS]

Hamilton, great roads in every direction, 30 mins to a good beach 1 hour to Auckland, great schools and its the motorsport capital of NZ

Central to everything.

And there's even a few days each year when it's not foggy....

[Slyer]

Yeah nelson sounds like a good bet.
The most north of the south. ;)

[JacksColdSweat]

Hamilton

Really?

Seriously?

I'm glad you like it but an hour to the beach might be a bit far... I live 10 minutes from 4 very swimmable beaches at the moment.... it's only 40 minutes to the west coast from here...

Taupo has the same issue - it's 3 hours to the coast (or longer) that's way too long for a quick dip in the sea...

[Maha]

Really?

Seriously?

I'm glad you like it but an hour to the beach might be a bit far... I live 10 minutes from 4 very swimmable beaches at the moment.... it's only 40 minutes to the west coast from here...

Taupo has the same issue - it's 3 hours to the coast (or longer) that's way too long for a quick dip in the sea...

I lived in Taupo in 1985 (5 mile bay)....was ok then, hot hot summer and very cold winter, population was nice and low also, now, na, wouldn't live there myself. But thats just me, its ok for a visit, but I like the smaller towns. We have any amount of beach's within 10-20 mins form here.

[CrazyFrog]

Nelson ticks all your boxes. Great weather, beaches, roads, mountains and lakes. Nelson people moan if it rains more than 2 days in a row.
Roads are pretty good just about any direction out of town. Good bike community too, and good thing you don't speed, our cops here are merciless on speedsters.
Low crime rate = cheap insurances.
Houses prices are a little steep compared with other towns our size, but you'll be fine coming from Auckland, they're way cheaper than up there.

[JacksColdSweat]

Nelson ticks all your boxes. Great weather, beaches, roads, mountains and lakes. Nelson people moan if it rains more than 2 days in a row.
Roads are pretty good just about any direction out of town. Good bike community too, and good thing you don't speed, our cops here are merciless on speedsters.
Low crime rate = cheap insurances.
Houses prices are a little steep compared with other towns our size, but you'll be fine coming from Auckland, they're way cheaper than up there.

Cheers Crazy Frog - that's the kind of thing I was looking for... yeah I got busted for speeding in a cage not far our of Nelson some years ago - cop was not a nice guy...

Any decent "just outside Nelson" spots you reckon are worth a look? We can't afford "Nelson proper" prices and don't feel the need to be in town? Any satellites worth a look?

[portokiwi]

:niceone: DONT FORGET THE BEST FISHING AROUND THERE AS WELL

[Winston001]

Must say Nelson was my first thought too but I've always considered it too remote. There is no easy or quick way out despite being geographically in the centre of NZ.

You either pay and fly to Wellington or Christchurch, or if you want to drive, go to Picton/Christchurch. Purely in driving time, Nelson is nearly as far away as Invercargill from Christchurch.

Blenheim is a nice alternative and closer.

Whakatane appeals - smaller than Tauranga but not too far from Auckland if you want to go there for a game/concert/flight.

Nothing wrong with Christchurch either or Kaiapoi/Rangiora if you like smaller places nearby. Indeed Christchurch would be my pick. Not too big, lots of options, beaches, a huge peninsula to explore, Southern Alps/lakes nearby..... Live on a hill or on the flat, plenty of choice.

[Swoop]

A mate has just moved to Athenree, which is close to Waihi Beach area.
Close(ish) to Tauranga and handy to Coromandel. Near the sea... in fact very near the sea!
It has made me interested in that area.

[Taz]

I'll vote for Motueka. My sister lives there and we love it every time we are down there. Beautiful small town.

[scumdog]

Must say Nelson was my first thought too but I've always considered it too remote. There is no easy or quick way out despite being geographically in the centre of NZ.

You either pay and fly to Wellington or Christchurch, or if you want to drive, go to Picton/Christchurch. Purely in driving time, Nelson is nearly as far away as Invercargill from Christchurch.

Blenheim is a nice alternative and closer.

Whakatane appeals - smaller than Tauranga but not too far from Auckland if you want to go there for a game/concert/flight.

Nothing wrong with Christchurch either or Kaiapoi/Rangiora if you like smaller places nearby. Indeed Christchurch would be my pick. Not too big, lots of options, beaches, a huge peninsula to explore, Southern Alps/lakes nearby..... Live on a hill or on the flat, plenty of choice.

I would pick Blenheim over Nelson too.

Use to live in Nelson, yeah the climate is good but there's a raft of reasons I wouldn't go back there to live.

Besides, if I have to ride for more than 5 minutes to get out on the open road I go ga-ga and coming from Hope direction and riding through to Hira takes twice as long due to riding through all tha built-up areas....

But at least it's not over-run with MM or BP twats.

[MaxB]

Hamilton, great roads in every direction, 30 mins to a good beach 1 hour to Auckland, great schools and its the motorsport capital of NZ

Central to everything.

Err, so you are saying Hamilton's best feature is that it is close to more interesting places?

[Quasievil]

And there's even a few days each year when it's not foggy....


I will take the bait on that you bastard man (:hug:), Hamilton and Fog is a over hyped lie based on mis conceptions and bad attitudes towards the city...........found amongst those that are jealous of the one city in the country that can get things done, and has more major events than just about every other city in the country.

Incidentally Fog related closures at Airports around the country where lead by Auckland, Hamilton was way down the list (I know Paula works at the Airport)
Fog days I noticed would be about ooooo 2 or 3 in the winter past, thats nothing.

Anyway my good freind, fog or earthquakes mmmmmmm I will take the fog

lol

[Quasievil]

Err, so you are saying Hamilton's best feature is that it is close to more interesting places?

No I didnt say that, but it is close to everything and has everything in it

Warning Im super pahrocial (however the fuck ya spell it)

[JacksColdSweat]

I would pick Blenheim over Nelson too.

Use to live in Nelson, yeah the climate is good but there's a raft of reasons I wouldn't go back there to live.

Besides, if I have to ride for more than 5 minutes to get out on the open road I go ga-ga and coming from Hope direction and riding through to Hira takes twice as long due to riding through all tha built-up areas....

But at least it's not over-run with MM or BP twats.

Must confess Blenheim is on my secret shortlist. I didn't want to mention it cos I was hoping lots of people would recommend it without being prompted

I like Nelson but like you and others have said (or suggested) it's just a bit much of a city - expensive real estate and quite a long way to anywhere

Motueka (above) was an interesting idea... I have heard good things about it but never been there....

Seems the key regions I was thinking of are coming to the fore

With Outer Christchurch/Rangiora as the wild card...

[JacksColdSweat]

No I didnt say that, but it is close to everything and has everything in it

Warning Im super pahrocial (however the fuck ya spell it)

Good on ya Quasi... ;)

:2thumbsup

[scumdog]

Motueka (above) was an interesting idea... I have heard good things about it but never been there.... ..

Nice climate but even further isolated and a chore to ride to Nelson during peak traffic time.

Nobody on that stretch of road knows how to get up to 100kph......

[JacksColdSweat]

A mate has just moved to Athenree, which is close to Waihi Beach area.
Close(ish) to Tauranga and handy to Coromandel. Near the sea... in fact very near the sea!
It has made me interested in that area.

On a recent trip to TGA we took a tiki tour thru Athenree... really magic place if you have kids... but couldn't quite figure what I'd do for work

Made a mental note to come back there one day tho...

[MaxB]

No I didnt say that, but it is close to everything and has everything in it

Warning Im super pahrocial (however the fuck ya spell it)

No worries, it is a nice place to live. My missus is from down that way. In fact I'm hiding this thread from her as we speak.

[Max Preload]

I will take the bait on that you bastard man (:hug:), Hamilton and fog is a over hyped lie based on misconceptions and bad attitudes towards the city...
<snip>
Incidentally fog related closures at Airports around the country where lead by Auckland, Hamilton was way down the list (I know Paula works at the Airport)
Fog days I noticed would be about ooooo 2 or 3 in the winter past, thats nothing.

Interesting. When I lived in Hamilton and was flying privately to Hawera each Monday morning, and back each Friday afternoon in autumn & winter in '97 (or was it '96?) we'd arrive at 8am and rarely got to leave before 11am because of fog and had to begin the return journey on Friday at around 2pm so we were fairly sure to get to Hamilton before the fog. I understood the rules were that if there was fog and you took off you had to be able to continue to your destination in the event of an engine failure (we were in a twin engine Piper Navajo) because you couldn't turn around and land again with such limited visibility.

Even when I worked in Hamilton itself, even in the city, some days the fog didn't clear at all.

[Quasievil]

Interesting. When I lived in Hamilton and was flying privately to Hawera each Monday morning, and back each Friday afternoon in autumn & winter in '97 (or was it '96?) we'd arrive at 8am and rarely got to leave before 11am because of fog and had to begin the return journey on Friday at around 2pm so we were fairly sure to get to Hamilton before the fog. I understood the rules were that if there was fog and you took off you had to be able to continue to your destination in the event of an engine failure (we were in a twin engine Piper Navajo) because you couldn't turn around and land again with such limited visibility.

Even when I worked in Hamilton itself, even in the city, some days the fog didn't clear at all.


Its called climate change bro, that weather has shifted to Auckland now.

We dont have fog now.:oi-grr:and thats that

[Morcs]

Its strange no one has mentioned work.

The only reason im in auckland is that there isnt enough industry anywhere else in the country..

and if you were lucky enough to get the job of expertise in a small town, if shit hits the fan you'll most likely have to move to a different town to stay on the same career path.

[BMWST?]

blenheim can be super hot in the summer and bloody cold in the mornings in winter.....have you thought of gisborne...

[Insanity_rules]

I'm going to throw my my 2 cents in here and suggest Wellington. Roads are good, Weather is better than most people think, theres work, its a city without having the mad factor, crime rates not bad and great crew of bikers too....

[ManDownUnder]

New Plymouth.

Great education for the little people, Ngamotu beach is PERFECT for children swimming (between two breakwaters... it's a salt water pond). Mountain 20 mins down the road fro snow, beaches right there...

I'd recommend it, downside is it's a bit cold when you get a Southerly - wind straight off the mountain. But she's a nice friendly town. Go ahead enough too so there's work opportunities in engineering, energy IT and the likes.

[portokiwi]

:jerry: How about Takaka then..... Golden bay

[Brian d marge]

Its strange no one has mentioned work.

The only reason im in auckland is that there isnt enough industry anywhere else in the country..

and if you were lucky enough to get the job of expertise in a small town, if shit hits the fan you'll most likely have to move to a different town to stay on the same career path.

yes I would agree , I am looking at different parts of NZ , but Work ,AND the dropkick rate

anywhere where the prices of houses look affordable ,,,the dropkick rate goes through the roof ,,,

Stephen

wish invercargill was warmer and had more motorbike events

[DarkLord]

What sort of work do you do, Jacks?

[thehollowmen]

Akaroa : Nice hot east coast weather, great ride into town. Heard of somebody who wanders down to the pub with his helmet on Saturdays when the biker crowd arrives, gets nicely trollied then stumbles home.

Perfect :-D

[imdying]

I'd plumb for Nelson, athough Christchurch is nice too, except there's about 3 months of the year where you'd have to be keen to swim in the ocean... having said that, the council aren't too bad, and we do have excellent public pools here. Either place offers excellent riding, although it's right on your door step in Nelson.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

New Plymouth.

Great education for the little people, Ngamotu beach is PERFECT for children swimming (between two breakwaters... it's a salt water pond). Mountain 20 mins down the road fro snow, beaches right there...

I'd recommend it, downside is it's a bit cold when you get a Southerly - wind straight off the mountain. But she's a nice friendly town. Go ahead enough too so there's work opportunities in engineering, energy IT and the likes.

NO my first husband and i lived there for 5 years and the only friends we made where other people that had moved into the area and mostly Aucklander's.

[jrandom]

What sort of work do you do, Jacks?

Yeah, that kinda seems like the central question that's being ignored here.

:mellow:

[ManDownUnder]

NO my first husband and i lived there for 5 years and the only friends we made where other people that had moved into the area and mostly Aucklander's.

Gotta be something wrong somewhere (lets blame your first husband shall we?). I have a lot of experience of the place and it's great

[thehollowmen]

I second this, in a whole year I've made one (1!) friend
Damn locals clam up here.


NO my first husband and i lived there for 5 years and the only friends we made where other people that had moved into the area and mostly Aucklander's.

[Grumpy]

We moved here (Napier) 5 years ago and love it. Only thing that I have found the area to be lacking compared to Auckland is road bike friendly bike shops. If you ride dirt your sussed but some of the advice I have been given regarding road bikes has been decidedly dodgy. If we had a choice between Blenhiem or Napier It would have been hard to pick a favourite.

[slofox]

We dont have fog now.:oi-grr:and thats that

Quasi, you are either a lying bugger or you don't ride as early in the morning as I do....:devil2:....see some of my recent posts re summer fog........surely you must have heard me screaming curses at the sky gods from your place???? :angry2::ar15::mega::brick::violin::angry2:


PS Did you sort out a cam for Paeroa?

[98tls]

My pick would be West Coast of the South Isle work could be the big no no though,laid back,great roads,actually imho the best roads in NZ bar none,house prices are good,great people and a shortage of scumbuckets.All good.:niceone:People seem keen on Nelson,not me,summer time you might just as well live in Auckland.

[JacksColdSweat]

blenheim can be super hot in the summer and bloody cold in the mornings in winter.....have you thought of gisborne...

Sorry I had to step away to do some work...

To answer all the questions:

Gisborne: I have thought about it but for some reason I don't connect with the place - it just feels so far away - kind of the same problem Nelson has

New Plymouth: I saw it got labelled "best place to live in NZ" in a recent magazine... my only memory of it is 20 years old... one question: isn't the sea cold down there?

Wellington: Already lived there many moons ago - and I can't handle the cold wind days. Walking the streets and that southerly goes right thru no matter what you wear. I lived in Toronto in -10C but it was warmer than Wellington... but it's my favourite city to visit. Probably the best city in NZ IMHO

Akaroa: That would be my pick of outer CHCH but I suspect I'm dreaming...

Work: I currently produce Wedding (and other) Videos working from home although my background is in IT Management - Work doesn't worry me because I have turned my hands to lots of things over the years - I've had 3 or 4 careers already - I would opt for business ownership or self employment in any new town (tourism, backpackers, hospitality of some sort prolly) Wife's a teacher so that's about as portable as it gets...

Thanks all for the excellent suggestions!

[Big Dave]

My choice would be a 350+sq mtr Penthouse on Lighter Quay.

[H00dz]

kerikeri mate nothing else compares

[marty]

Taupo has the same issue - it's 3 hours to the coast (or longer) that's way too long for a quick dip in the sea...


um, there's a lake there though .....

[slofox]

um, there's a lake there though .....

...which is usually cold as buggery.....(well it was when I got in there....)

[slofox]

kerikeri mate nothing else compares

yep - I'd go with that!

[JacksColdSweat]

um, there's a lake there though .....

Sure is - but one of my 3 criteria was "swimming in the sea"

My wife grew up 17 hours drive from the nearest sea and 20 hours from the nearest swimmable sea... there's no way I can tear her away from it now

She's more of a Kiwi than I am in that respect ;)

[JacksColdSweat]

yep - I'd go with that!

Alright H00dz and Slofox - what's so rocking about Kerikeri? (that's not a troll - I really want to know)

[dipshit]

My pick would be West Coast of the South Isle .... People seem keen on Nelson

At least from Nelson you can set off down the west coast when the weather is good over there... or head into the Marlborough sounds... or down to Kaikoura... or back across Lewis pass towards Westport enjoying awesome roads and country without having to put up with long straight boring bits first. :2thumbsup

[Pedrostt500]

Try this on for size, Buy / build a house bus, with a towbar get a large covered trailer, for bikes, tour the country for a few years, get to see the whole country, and then worry about setteling down in one spot.

[McJim]

I moved from Auckland to Invercargill and I ain't moving back. Mind you I'm from Scotland so Invercargill feels hot to me.....in the winter.

[southernmike]

North Otago - known for it's droughts (hence great for bike riders)
Rivers, lakes, and sea are all good for swimming in summer.
Schools have classes of less than 20 kids per teacher.

How do I know? Did they same thing four years ago. Left Auckland and ended up here.

[Dean]

North Otago - known for it's droughts (hence great for bike riders)
Rivers, lakes, and sea are all good for swimming in summer.
Schools have classes of less than 20 kids per teacher.

How do I know? Did they same thing four years ago. Left Auckland and ended up here.

Yes North Otago sounds like the best place to be, As he said schools have classes of less than 20 kids per teacher which means your little one will grow up getting more direct teaching from the teachers instead of attending Auckland schools with packed classrooms leaving ones left out because the teacher was busy educating other students.Its a quiet place and peace full, and like southernmike said there's great swimming spots, creating positive healthy recreational activities for your new family to enjoy.:msn-wink:

[Slyer]

Brilliant effort to get your spelling and grammar right mate! ^^
Needs a bit o'work though. ;)

[Cosmo]

Come down to Invercargill, The weather is good down here, the forecast on the tele is generally wrong. You can go for a swim at the beach any time of the year (Beach is only 10 min away). You just gotta be hard.:lol:

Still lots of job oppurtunities as well as we don't seem to have been hit by the recession the same as up north. Last but not least a great place to bring up your kids, reasonable cost of housing, and relatively safe.

[Dean]

Brilliant effort to get your spelling and grammar right mate! ^^
Needs a bit o'work though. ;)

Thank you, I'm improving i believe, thanks to good old spell checks and after school tutoring;)

[hospitalfood]

i left aucks about a year ago and moved 130 odd km north to a little rural town.
still close to the city which is good sometimes. roads in northland are great but often need work done to them.
i grew up in nelson and it does tick your boxes but you will be a long way from a city, culture shock from aucks.

i want to get down south in the next ten years or so. mainland born and bred.
the north island is ugly in comparison.

[MyGSXF]

Another vote for :sunny: Nelson!!!

Or more preferable.. Richmond (15ks from Nsn City) has everything we need here (I only ever really go into Nelson to go to the Warehouse.. :mellow:) tis a lovely place to raise a family! I grew up here as a kid & never thought I would be "back home" raising MY kids.. :shutup: but it's great!! walking distance from home to a fantastic school.. & the shops.. NO parking meters.. 1 set of traffic lights.. low crime rate.. gorgeous beaches & rivers within a few minutes drive! AWESOME bike roads in any direction.. :drool: Whangmoas to Blenheim.. Nelson Lakes.. Takaka Hill... the Lewis Pass & back up the West Coast... or Kaikoura.

Average rent for a 3 bed house approx $330 p/w

My youngest son's primary school is a decile 9 & I think the other local is similar. My oldest just started College, which is built on the same paddock as the primary (& Intermediate is there as well.. actually so is the kindy & preschool.. :shutup:)

Abundance of outdoors recreational opportunities with the rivers/beaches/mountains all so close! Great markets! Loads of choices for the family "Sunday drive".. Tis a very family oriented region!! :grouphug:

Are ya sold yet....??!! :rolleyes:

What I would suggest, if you can wangle it.. head South for a 2-3 week holiday & have a cruise around.. you'll soon get a "feel" for a place you like! Tis a hard decision to make on other peoples opinions! :shifty:

edit: check out these links for pics of my ride over the Takaka Hill... :Punk:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969684&postcount=12

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969692&postcount=13

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969705&postcount=14

[MaxB]

Before moving away from the big city it might pay to get the career side totally sorted first. 'Cos that will affect how you see a place. Two examples from friends and family.

First was a mate who went to a job on the East Coast. The family love the area but to get him down there they overpaid him by local standards and he is not looking at a pay rise for at least 5 years. Wifey couldn't get a professional type job. She works part time at a cake shop. They are struggling at the moment and the plant is the main employer in the town. They are thinking of Australia next.

Second was a rellie who built his dream home up north, a pole house on the beach. Self employed, he has had 4 jobs in 2 years to keep the money coming in. The build cost was way over budget mainly due to the remote site.
The sucky part was that the Harley had to go so he doesn't even get to ride the roads he loves. Now his kids have moved away for uni and work and the 2 of them are rattling around in the pole mansion.

[JacksColdSweat]

Try this on for size, Buy / build a house bus, with a towbar get a large covered trailer, for bikes, tour the country for a few years, get to see the whole country, and then worry about setteling down in one spot.

We would do that but for one thing: we have a baby on the way - but it's an excellent idea and it's probably something we have a date with in the future before the kids start school... I'd love to take 12 months to tour NZ - short hops and long stays -

Te Anau - Invercargill for those long summer nights
Arrowtown in autumn
Blenheim - Marlborough in Spring

the list goes on and on....

Best country in the world bar none

:2thumbsup

[Paulus]

Sea will be too cold for you in most of the SI (except maybe Nelson). See here:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/SeaLife/CoastalFish/1/ENZ-Resources/Standard/3/en

[JacksColdSweat]

Another vote for :sunny: Nelson!!!

Are ya sold yet....??!! :rolleyes:

What I would suggest, if you can wangle it.. head South for a 2-3 week holiday & have a cruise around.. you'll soon get a "feel" for a place you like! Tis a hard decision to make on other peoples opinions! :shifty:



Yeah that's a fairly compelling argument and I've just spent some time looking at real estate around there which is considerably more affordable than AKL

I think a short holiday stint in the candidate areas would be a good start and will definitely include nelson/richmond/takaka

And a big thanks to everyone else who contributed too for all the ideas and thoughts

I think one of the guys on here sums it up really well in his signature "Life isn't a rehearsal" and it's far too short to spend it waiting for some moment that will never come

There are risks in going but I think it's a bigger risk to change nothing and just hope for a better day...

cheers all

[Crazy Steve]

Sea will be too cold for you in most of the SI (except maybe Nelson). See here:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/SeaLife/CoastalFish/1/ENZ-Resources/Standard/3/en

Wet suits.....:Punk:

Crazy Steve..

[McJim]

Yeah that's a fairly compelling argument and I've just spent some time looking at real estate around there which is considerably more affordable than AKL


Well that's a bit of a change. I looked to move to the South Island from Auuckland about 16 months ago - I found that a decent house in Nelson was going to be the same price as a decent house in Auckland but the salaries were about 30% lower. since we were leaving Auckland for financial reasons (interest rate pushed our mortgage repayments out of reach) moving somewhere where the situation was worse just was not an option.

Last summer in Invercargill was a roaster but it's been a bit slow ariving this year.

I have been to Nelson 3 times and on every occasion it has been a bit cold and damp. I am therefore happy with my decision tomove this far south.

[Bonez]

Gore.......................

[thommo77]

Well that's a bit of a change. I looked to move to the South Island from Auuckland about 16 months ago - I found that a decent house in Nelson was going to be the same price as a decent house in Auckland but the salaries were about 30% lower. since we were leaving Auckland for financial reasons (interest rate pushed our mortgage repayments out of reach) moving somewhere where the situation was worse just was not an option.

Last summer in Invercargill was a roaster but it's been a bit slow ariving this year.

I have been to Nelson 3 times and on every occasion it has been a bit cold and damp. I am therefore happy with my decision tomove this far south.

A bit cold and damp................and you're living in Invercargill???????????!!!!
Mind you, you are a scotsman so you'll feel right at home.

Also, Id dispute the fact that a good house in Nelson is about the same price as one in Akld. $300,000 buys a good one in a good suburb here. $300,000 buys an average one in South Akld, and who wants to live there?

[Mystic13]

If you take a trundle along the east coast from Hastings through to Russell there are many forgotten little places. Wairoa for example.

Napier has just the nicest people. I had a bike problem there and everyone was keen to help including some folks in two cafes. One gave me some extra food as I was leaving (a bag of baked goods) and told me the best value place to stay in town. The place I stayed let me stay longer and went out of their way to help. The owner of the bike shop (Ericson Honda) came out on his wedding anniversary and on a Sunday to deal to my bike. Bought his wife with him.

I had too many offers of accommodation from strangers. I had offers to store my bike and take it in to get sorted and then taken back to this guys place and stored till i got back there.

Just the friendliest people.

I've just ahd friends move to Morere... not a place I'd move to but $135,000 for a house and some acreage with a a stream boundary and thermal pools across the road. The thermal pool has a high mineral content and is the most amazing water I've been in. The pools are small and dated. Now Morere is too far off the beaten track for me.

The Hokianga. All the inlets up the east coast. There are some really interesting spots. You could also go for the coast out of Whangarei putting you in the middle of some of the quietest biking roads in the North island.

Forget Hamilton. Lived there. There is nothing more depressing than thick fog at 12pm lunch time. You walk out onto the street and you swear it was 7am on a winter/autmn morning.

I love Hamilton it's a neat city. But the fog.

That's me thoughts.

[Mystic13]

Go to google maps and run down the coast. Find communities near bigger places and then drop the little man on and take a look at the images.

Pretty cool feature. The amount of places with waterfront houses is amazing. Everytime I ride pass an abandoned waterfront building i keep thinking I should find the owner and buy it. Surely they must be cheap.

[saltydog]

Tauranga / Whakatane / Rotorua - Gateway to the East Cape and close to the central plateau / middle earth for riding. Good environment for kids. Access to salt and fresh water beaches.

Good idea to get out of the land of the slippery white line, but really mate, the Bay of Plenty is crap. Espicially Whakatane...you'd hate it.
Maybe vegas is more you...... the lingering smell of sulphar just does it for me!:innocent:

[JacksColdSweat]

Go to google maps and run down the coast. Find communities near bigger places and then drop the little man on and take a look at the images.

Pretty cool feature. The amount of places with waterfront houses is amazing. Everytime I ride pass an abandoned waterfront building i keep thinking I should find the owner and buy it. Surely they must be cheap.

Yeah we like that idea - we like Rarangi - just out of Blenheim for that reason

You're "miles away from everything" but it's a relatively short commute - and certainly a trouble free one

There are piles of these places still around NZ and that's what we'll be aiming for

[MarkH]

Have you considered places like Orewa or Whangaporoa or Red Beach?

Just north of Auckland the weather will be warm and there are plenty of places to ride.

[Renegade]

Born and bred in Napier, what a great town, ticks all your boxes really, the main beach is swimmable but shit, but a 20min drive and you get golden sand, napier taupo road is a good blat as are the back roads to dartmoore, i may go back one day.

well ive lived in welly and i dont beleive its a very good city for kids, always cold and windy, you will no doubt by a house on a hill which basically rules out kids riding bikes etc and your backyard is almost certainly small, and every rental that i lived in had a dampness/mildew problem with the exception of the lockwood house i owned for a short time.

Tauranga is a nice city but the infrastructure is just fucked, it just amazes me how they could mess up the city so bad and then blame the fact that it grew to fast for the council, cop out i say.
Plenty of good bike shops tho, hot chiks, good beach and places to ride, in 12months i will be sent there for work so il try to make the most of it.

Currently in Turangi just south of Taupo, the back roads i.e SH41, SH47, SH46 are simply primo and the road to the top of the mountain is a top surface.
Just the town has FA work, a population of 5000 and about 100 shit bags that ruin it for everyone, but if deer and pigs is your game its sweet.

[Road Guardian]

Yeah we like that idea - we like Rarangi - just out of Blenheim for that reason

You're "miles away from everything" but it's a relatively short commute - and certainly a trouble free one

There are piles of these places still around NZ and that's what we'll be aiming for

And the frekin awesome (but dangerous as all ways) Port Underwood road to Whites bay to play around on just in the backgarden!!!

[Skyryder]

Anywhere in the North island has too much traffic.

Nelson would be my pick for biker paradise.


Skyyryder

[Boob Johnson]

New Plymouth

AKA- Taradise


It competes with Blenheim for the 2nd & 3rd most sunshine hours every year. An awesome mountain slap bang in the middle of the Provence which is the most accessible in the country. Fantastic inner city beaches, the famous coastal walkway, Pukekura park in the heart of the city, ski in the morning on the steepest ski slope in the southern hemisphere then drive 40 mins to a plethora of some of the most consistent surfing beaches in the world, NZ's only republic is here in Taranaki, Puke Ariki museum, Govett Brewster Art Gallery (the best contemporary AG in the country & world rated), home to the WOMAD festival held at the world famous "Bowl of Brooklands", a natural amphitheater, to name but a few attractions.


Oh and on the motorcycling front its awesome, the famous SH43 "The Forgotten World Highway" plus many more fantastic back country roads all terribly unpopulated. Taranaki is about 110,000 in population with New Plymouth being around 60,000.


Oh & there was that other thing, we won the best city to live in NZ recently (North & South Magazine, which is very comprehensive) & also the most liveable & sustainable city IN THE WORLD!!! New Plymouth was the only entrant from NZ & won it!!!


NZ's best kept secret is out :shutup:


ps: I lived away for 13 odd years, been back 3 1/2 & love every minute of it

[chester]

How about Nelson. Never lived there myself but loved going their for holidays. Good weather fantastic beaches and yes very good roads to ride.:2thumbsup
If you get home sice for the north Island the ferry is just near.

tis the place to be............

[Grahameeboy]

This is not a troll nor is it intended to start a war...

The wife and I have decided we've had enough of life (if you can call it that) in Auckland and we're ready to pack up and go

We want to live like Kiwis - not like Aucklanders (no offense to any of our friends - most of whom have already buggered off anyway)

Our caveats:

1) I'm a fair weather rider and probably always will be - I ride for the scenery and don't care to go fast - the wife wants to learn after we sort out number 3 below...

2) We both like to swim in the sea so we don't want to freeze in antarctic waters

3) We have a 12 month old daughter and another one on the way so we'd like them to be safe and edu-mah-cated.

That's our list - if we can live somewhere that meets those three we'll be delighted

Any suggestions?

What's wrong with Auckland?

Auckland is safe
Traffic is not bad
Lots of biking roads to chose from
Close to some wonderful coast line
If you don't like someone you just ignore them...don't you.
Compared to London and other big "Real" Cities in the World Auckland is a Paradise...Auckland is a Village...

[Grahameeboy]

Anywhere in the North island has too much traffic.

Nelson would be my pick for biker paradise.


Skyyryder

Where?.......

[Skyryder]

Where?.......

Every.......where.


Skyyrder

[scumdog]

What's wrong with Auckland?

Auckland is safe
Traffic is not bad
Lots of biking roads to chose from
Close to some wonderful coast line
If you don't like someone you just ignore them...don't you.
Compared to London and other big "Real" Cities in the World Auckland is a Paradise...Auckland is a Village...

Ya need to stopp poppin' them funny pills GB....

[LBD]

[QUOTE=JacksColdSweat;1933629]
The wife and I have decided we've had enough of life (if you can call it that) in Auckland and we're ready to pack up and go
QUOTE]

Good move...Nelson, Marlborough, Napier, Gisborne ......any where but the Kyrgyz republic in the winter:cold:...or summer for that matter:sweatdrop...

[caseye]

Jack, go the East coast, almost anywhere, roads are great beachs are never full but always good, roads have next to no traffic on em and are rarely iced up, population is almost always guaranteed friendly wherever you are, all around a great place to live and ride.

[JacksColdSweat]

What's wrong with Auckland?

Auckland is safe
Traffic is not bad
Lots of biking roads to chose from
Close to some wonderful coast line
If you don't like someone you just ignore them...don't you.
Compared to London and other big "Real" Cities in the World Auckland is a Paradise...Auckland is a Village...

Yeah - I find Auckland lacks soul tho - I have travelled and like some of the big cities in the world (New York, Chicago, Sydney and the crazy big ones like Dhaka and Kolkata) but they all have a personality

Auckland's problem is exactly what you say "If you don't like someone you just ignore them...don't you." It's the soulless way we all cruise through doing our own thing - then we drive home - open and close our electric garage doors and hideaway inside our homes with our recently renovated kitchens reading the property press and planning our next "investment"

Don't get me wrong - Auckland isn't a bad town - there are a lot worse places in the world (L.A. springs to mind) and I like the west coast of Auckland - I got married there.

But Auckland is not as New Zealand as the rest of NZ - and at heart I'm a NZer

[JacksColdSweat]

New Plymouth

AKA- Taradise


NP is on the wife's list... I need to be convinced... but I did read that article in N & S and I must say the music aspect made my ears prick up - so we'll definitely look at it

cheers

[JacksColdSweat]

Have you considered places like Orewa or Whangaporoa or Red Beach?

Just north of Auckland the weather will be warm and there are plenty of places to ride.

We have thought about it - not sure tho - we'd probably want to go a little further - Dairy Flat? Can't really afford it tho - we can buy an improved version of our house in Nelson within walking distance of the sea for about 30% less than our Auckland house is worth (for example)

That's not true in Red Beach....

[Grahameeboy]

Yeah - I find Auckland lacks soul tho - I have travelled and like some of the big cities in the world (New York, Chicago, Sydney and the crazy big ones like Dhaka and Kolkata) but they all have a personality

Auckland's problem is exactly what you say "If you don't like someone you just ignore them...don't you." It's the soulless way we all cruise through doing our own thing - then we drive home - open and close our electric garage doors and hideaway inside our homes with our recently renovated kitchens reading the property press and planning our next "investment"

Don't get me wrong - Auckland isn't a bad town - there are a lot worse places in the world (L.A. springs to mind) and I like the west coast of Auckland - I got married there.

But Auckland is not as New Zealand as the rest of NZ - and at heart I'm a NZer

Soul is from within...how can a concete city have a soul...I have been to Sydney etc and still think Auckland is a nicer place to live...

Blacks found "Soul", maybe us White's have trubs finding our souls eh...well I have mine but that is another story

[Ms Topo]

I think Mapua is a lovely place to lives, heaps of great roads to ride at your door step, Motueka & Nelson are close too. The sea is at your doorstep too (not too cold either), we have about a 5 minute walk (if that) to the beach from where we live. Good resturants, brewery, cafes and a bakery.

What more could you want!! :2thumbsup

[scumdog]

I think Mapua is a lovely place to lives, heaps of great roads to ride at your door step, Motueka & Nelson are close too. The sea is at your doorstep too (not too cold either), we have about a 5 minute walk (if that) to the beach from where we live. Good resturants, brewery, cafes and a bakery.

What more could you want!! :2thumbsup

A few less people around???:shutup:

[Ms Topo]

A few less people around???:shutup:

Then how about the west coast of golden bay there is nobody there might suit you fine!:Pokey:

[scumdog]

Then how about the west coast of golden bay there is nobody there might suit you fine!:Pokey:

Nah, I'd still have to ride through the masses to get to most places...


And them wasps as big as budgies up there are a piss-off.

[Burtha]

How about Nelson. Never lived there myself but loved going their for holidays. Good weather fantastic beaches and yes very good roads to ride.:2thumbsup
If you get home sice for the north Island the ferry is just near.

Absolutely!
We have the best weather, schools are good, to get out of Nelson you have to take a winding road in any direction, the south island has LOADS to offer, top-of-da-south is beautiful, beaches are fantastic, we see quite a few bikers here (strong Ulysses club & bike shops).

My hubby and I moved here from Auckland (via the Gold Coast) and think its the best thing we could have ever done. There is always seasonal work here too due to abundance of fish, apples and grapes.
:first:

PS: handy to ski fields & snow in winter too. Best place in the world if you love nature, and I've travelled.