Considering shifting to Tauranga, Napier or New Plymouth?

[forkoil]

Any room for two jafas? Want to get out of the rat race and now thru changing circumstances we can. Since we are at least half an hour from work here in Aucks, we would be happy being that far out of town. Would like to be close to sea (missus likes sailing), and for me some wide open spaces, maybe a bit of bush close by would be just fine and dandy. Have to look for jobs of course, I'm in IT (developer C++ etc) but heartily sick of it and other half does Admin work. Be good to have contact with local riders and get to know the place.

BOP has nice climate, size (Tauranga) for jobs, not too far to visit friends in Aucks, Ureweras close for tramping etc.
New Plymouth has size and dollars with energy sector there, good sailing, great beaches stretching up the coast (as does BOP), bush. But climate not so good (rain) and quite a drive to main centre.
Napier has style, go ahead feel about it, bush (Kawekas), small pop and quite a way from main centre.
Hmmmm, anyone shifted to any of these places recently like to offer an opinion?

[Bald Eagle]

Any room for two jafas? Want to get out of the rat race and now thru changing circumstances we can. Since we are at least half an hour from work here in Aucks, we would be happy being that far out of town. Would like to be close to sea (missus likes sailing), and for me some wide open spaces, maybe a bit of bush close by would be just fine and dandy. Have to look for jobs of course, I'm in IT (developer C++ etc) but heartily sick of it and other half does Admin work. Be good to have contact with local riders and get to know the place.

BOP has nice climate, size (Tauranga) for jobs, not too far to visit friends in Aucks, Ureweras close for tramping etc.
New Plymouth has size and dollars with energy sector there, good sailing, great beaches stretching up the coast (as does BOP), bush. But climate not so good (rain) and quite a drive to main centre.
Napier has style, go ahead feel about it, bush (Kawekas), small pop and quite a way from main centre.
Hmmmm, anyone shifted to any of these places recently like to offer an opinion?

Try Wellington its got all that plus wind and rain and the seat of central govt.....

[forkoil]

Try Wellington its got all that plus wind and rain and the seat of central govt.....

And whats your commute like from Raumati pray tell?

[Bald Eagle]

And whats your commute like from Raumati pray tell?

A breeze - early morning starts so in before the city traffic build up and it's SH1 all the way.

Although seriously - previously did 5 yrs New Plymouth before being a jaffa for 14yrs and would go back to the Naki at the drop of a hat.

[red mermaid]

Napier would be my pick.

[MSTRS:Me]

Too many fecking treadlies here now...

[forkoil]

Too many fecking treadlies here now...

Awww, like red necks,you get them everywhere. Anyway, ex treadlie.

[slofox]

I'd cut New Plymouth out if it was me - too wet and rainy. BUT if you like wind-surfing, it's great I am told...

Tauranga is OK. Full of retired Waikato farmers of course and undergoing growing pains with traffic lights on roundabouts these days (!). Some nice beaches.

I'd pick Napier - primo wine country and best climate of your three possibles.

[rainman]

But is there (sustainable) work for an IT geek in any of these places? Having looked before (a while back) my guess would be no - particularly in the current climate. I'd move to BOP in a flash (but then I've never been to Napier). The kids wouldn't be that keen, in all likelihood, so perhaps Mrs Rainman and I will "retire" there in 6 years or so.

[forkoil]

But is there (sustainable) work for an IT geek in any of these places? Having looked before (a while back) my guess would be no - particularly in the current climate. I'd move to BOP in a flash (but then I've never been to Napier). The kids wouldn't be that keen, in all likelihood, so perhaps Mrs Rainman and I will "retire" there in 6 years or so.

Have you looked on trademe and seek? There seems to be, well there are jobs there, admittedly I havent found much in the way of developer work, but there is systems engineering which I have done in the past. Actually I would do just about anything, having had a gutsful of IT for a lifetime, but have to earn a buck. I have a sideline in importing Swiss Raclette and Pizza grills (www.swissconnection.co.nz) but thats still growing and way from earning money yet.

[yungatart]

Napier/Hastings have some of the lowest paid jobs around, according to statistics released recently.
Besides our beaches are crap...stoney, no sand at all. And it blows a lot here, worse than Palmy.

I hear Christchurch is lovely..beaches, skifields, tramping, big population and climate is not too bad....

[Pussy]

Napier/Hastings have some of the lowest paid jobs around, according to statistics released recently.
Besides our beaches are crap...stoney, no sand at all. And it blows a lot here, worse than Palmy.

I hear Christchurch is lovely..beaches, skifields, tramping, big population and climate is not too bad....

...And you'd have to agree with me that the 'Naki aint too bad either, eh Janet?

[BiK3RChiK]

I'm a Naki girl at heart but unless circumstances changed drastically, I have no plans to move back there. Living the BOP is awesome! Close to beaches, lakes. The snow isn't too far away. Cities just a stones throw... What more can you ask? :P

[phill-k]

Northland (just north of whangarei, did the exit 5 yrs ago), have the yacht on a mooring in the bay, live on about 10acres, commute is 20 minutes - a long way up here, the riding is great, eat our own sheep ect, what more could we ask for - gates on top of the brenderwyns with swipcard access only

[slofox]

I hear Christchurch is lovely..beaches, skifields, tramping, big population and climate is not too bad....

Very few of the Christchurch beaches attracted me in for a swim in the nine years I lived there...I wouldn't live there again.

Inland Canterbury however,....