Arran to New Zealand

[goaters]

Hi Folk
The last time i was on this site (New member speaks 23 jul 05) i was thinking about a move to NZ.
The best advice i got from kiwi biker was to come over on holiday and check the place out, well in mar/apr 06 we did check it out and in late oct 07 we hope to move there.
We would most like to move to Rotorua or Nelson as they are two of the places in NZ that we have friends in.
I would like to find employment as a carpenter/joiner, get a house that the soon to be wife would like and just go with the flow.
I cant afford to bring my bikes (cbx1000/1150gs) with me so i will have to start afresh.

Any opinions on Rotorua, Nelson or anything would be more than welcome

Many Thanks Nick

ps cb1300 or gs1200ss

[Edbear]

Both places are good choices for different reasons! If you have children, Rotorua is close to everywhere and has lots to do. Nelson is great for trampers, and a good starting place to tour the S.I. which is just too beautiful to describe!

May find Rotorua a bit cheaper for housing, though. It's also known as the "Sulphur City" and many parts of it have that sulphur smell! Not sure about emplyoment in Nelson, but builders are very much in demand over here everywhere!

Just my 2c.

[Alice]

Nelson and Rotorua are both interesting places with quite differant climates.

Nelson has a lot more sunshine hours and is on the Coast. In winter yu get those beautiful clear days, after the initial frost it warms up enough by about 10am to strip down to light clothing. Its very picturesque with snow on the mountains as a backdrop. There is great tramping close by, Nelson Lakes, Abel Tasman, and the Mt Arthur area. Its also a good area for sailing and sea kayaking. Abel Tasman and the Sounds (Picton) are good places to Kayak. It has great motorcycling roads on your doorstep and not to much traffic, its a cruzey lifestyle. The South Island is beautiful, and a motorcyclists dream. Its a great place for kids to grow up. I lived there for 5 years and loved the place. If your into an outdoor lifestyle Nelson would have to get the tick over Rotovegas. Its a funky wee city but not as large as Rotorua (as in the shopping area ) It would be one of the few places in NZ I would consider relocating to. Houses are expensive, but relestate in NZ has risen considerabley everywhere during the last 4/5 years. Hard to find a cheap piece of dirt anywhere now.

Rotorua is inland, it has a bleaker climate and smells but you don't notice the smell after you have been there awhile. Being a Scotsman you might feel more at home there. You will easily find info to compare the sunshine hours if climate is a major concern for you. You can probably tell I am one of those people that loves sunny blue skys. Hmmm, just makes yu feel good. Rotorua has great mountain bikeing and has one of the best mountain bike Parks in the country with many many kms of forest tracks. Its easy to access the rest of the North Island if you are wanting to get away for the weekend.

Both places are popular with tourists, and have many good eating places and lots happening to keep you entertained. Nelson is probably more arts orientated and has more alternative lifestylers, it has what must be the oldest communes in the country which was set up during the second world war by concencious objecters. Its has its own school, houses and community hall. ( bit of trivial information ).

If you are in the building industry you should not have a problem finding work in either location.

[Swoop]

Joinery companies are screaming out for good people, but still pay shit wages. You'll have zero problems finding work over here!!!

[Macktheknife]

Anywhere in the country is good for builders at the moment, plenty of work for the next few years. What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? Nelson and Rotorua are kinda different in growth potential and population, could be relevant for long term considerations.
Good luck and we look forward to your arrival.

[goaters]

Mountian biking is very high on my hobbies list, having been on the tracks at Rotorua and Tuapo.
On the flip side we live 100 yrds fron the sea so you can also see the Nelson point of view.
I think it may be down to employment.
We spent a month in a cage touring south and north islands last year, and NZ roads are some of the best i have seen, i just cant wait to try them on a bike.
Also the off road adventure scene looks bloody good fun as well.
I will try to find some local bike clubs at either place so i can join in with all the biking crack.

Thanks Nick

[Guitana]

Mountian biking is very high on my hobbies list, having been on the tracks at Rotorua and Tuapo.
On the flip side we live 100 yrds fron the sea so you can also see the Nelson point of view.
I think it may be down to employment.
We spent a month in a cage touring south and north islands last year, and NZ roads are some of the best i have seen, i just cant wait to try them on a bike.
Also the off road adventure scene looks bloody good fun as well.
I will try to find some local bike clubs at either place so i can join in with all the biking crack.

Thanks Nick

Nelson mate it rocks!!!!

[Steam]

The crime rate in Rotorua is higher than in Nelson.

[sels1]

The crime rate in Rotorua is higher than in Nelson.

True - probably quite a bit higher too. But they do have nice hotpools!
Have you considered somewhere like Tauranga? its not far from Rotorua (about 40 mins via the backroad) yet is a vibrant small city on the coast with great beachs that has a lifestye more like Nelson.

[McJim]

If you can afford to buy a house in Nelson or Rotorua then you don't need to work mate.

Both of those towns have seen a huge influx of Aucklanders with money over the past few years - I wanted to live in Rural NZ but since the house prices were the same as Auckland but the salaries were one third I was forced to live in Auckland - I hate it here and would love to move to Timaru.

I remember the days in Ayrshire - "If you can see Arran it's gonae rain, if ye cannae then it's already rainin'!"

Need to sink a couple of beers with you when you arrive.

[Scouse]

Rotorua smells like a permenant fart

[scracha]

If you're like most parents then the kiddies will be up there in your priorities. Check out the schools first. Education in NZ is a shocker and a LOT depends on what school you send the nippers to.

[idleidolidyll]

Hi Folk
The last time i was on this site (New member speaks 23 jul 05) i was thinking about a move to NZ.
The best advice i got from kiwi biker was to come over on holiday and check the place out, well in mar/apr 06 we did check it out and in late oct 07 we hope to move there.
We would most like to move to Rotorua or Nelson as they are two of the places in NZ that we have friends in.
I would like to find employment as a carpenter/joiner, get a house that the soon to be wife would like and just go with the flow.
I cant afford to bring my bikes (cbx1000/1150gs) with me so i will have to start afresh.

Any opinions on Rotorua, Nelson or anything would be more than welcome

Many Thanks Nick

ps cb1300 or gs1200ss

better job prospects as a carpenter in Nelson and one of the best climates in the country.
both have great access to the great outdoors but IMO Nelson has more to offer.
one big question though would be house prices. Nelson vs Rotorua is quite expensive unless you're happy to travel a bit (30 minutes would get you to town from Motueka)

[iwilde]

Nelson for sure, way less crime and if you're white you wont stick out as much. House prices are near Auckland prices, but if you like to travel on beautiful country roads it get cheeper the further out you go. With all the beaches, mountains and parks to choose from, your kids will never be sitting in front of the idiot box.

[Finn]

Forget about Rotorua. Too much crime a racial tention. Nelson would be a much better option, in fact so would Iraq.

If you're looking at the North Island and don't like big disfunctional cities, then Tauranga is a fantastic place with a great lifestyle.