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... 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:Me]

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

[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.
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

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...

[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?

[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.