Christchurch residents - what will you do?

[neels]

HOT and Neels - it's looking more likely of course that you may be offered the "get out of the shit" option of moving to better ground. I've got friends in Bexley who are begging for that option to be offered to them as they badly want to stay in ChCh - just not that part of it....

Interestingly, after september we were happy to stay where we were even though the infrastructure was badly damaged, since feb 22 it looks like a much better option than a lot of other places in chch.

My issue at the moment is that a job somewhere else (which I knew would be coming up at some point) that was a possible option before the earthquakes, has turned up now when it's probably pretty much impossible for me to pack up and leave with things in their current state.

Ironically the main reason I wouldn't have gone for it before would have been to not disrupt the kids education, and that's the main thing that's going to be fucked up.

[TonyB]

To be honest I think when home owners look at the practical realities of it, if their house is badly damaged they are probably stuck here until its fixed. They'll still have a mortgage to pay, and they won't be able to sell the house.

Me personally- my family didn't come here on the first 4 ships. I moved here when I was 17, and I have never really liked the place- its flat, the wind is always blowing from somewhere and there's only one decent motorcycling road...it does have a great race track though. I stayed at first because this is where the jobs were, and then because the woman I love wouldn't leave. Weirdly enough the quakes have finally tied me to this place- it feels like home now. I have no intention of leaving now.

Dangerous has a point. I've heard of people who have left Christchurch and have chosen to move to Wellington. I struggle with this. Statistically speaking, Chch should now have a lower chance of having a big quake than anywhere else in NZ (I believed this 100% before Feb 22...not so confident now...). Of course, the Alpine Fault is well overdue.... but we'll just ignore that eh

[jim.cox]

I've heard of people who have left Christchurch and have chosen to move to Wellington. I struggle with this.

Having been in the Chch CBD for the Feb shake, There is NO way in world I would move to Wellington

A quake there would just be a huge nightmare, and no good escape routes...

[onearmedbandit]

OHHH that will be sad... but I dont get it. you lot that are sceard to stay, the faults have relesed their tension, the next quake will be somewere else... perhaps were ya move to?

You not in the building game any longer d?

HOT in your case get a newer house, away from a water way, not in a low part of town... ok its easy for me to say cos Ive been farking lucky due to being on dry river bed in a beter built house, but come on running away aint the answer pertictly if ya jobs safe and house livable.

Hysterier... a natural thing with us mear humans, briford trailers have lost all there welders, my solid plaster has lost all his men... all taken of for the hills, IMHO it aint the answer.

People react to different situations in different ways bro. Maybe for some the memories are too much, maybe the constant aftershocks are rattling them, maybe the damage to the city is too much of a reminder, maybe they were always thinking about moving and this is just a catalyst, maybe they have children who are scared, maybe maybe maybe. It's up to them, you or I haven't lived their life, so who would we be to criticise their reaction to what has been a life changing event.

[dangerous]

You not in the building game any longer d?




People react to different situations in different ways bro. Maybe for some the memories are too much, maybe the constant aftershocks are rattling them, maybe the damage to the city is too much of a reminder, maybe they were always thinking about moving and this is just a catalyst, maybe they have children who are scared, maybe maybe maybe. It's up to them, you or I haven't lived their life, so who would we be to criticise their reaction to what has been a life changing event.

Yes

I agree intiely, that was just my opion... and I have seen the efects on a lot of people all different, one mans ruin is not anothers and vice a versa, we all have different states of dispire.

time for me to sit back and sort my own shit.

[notme]

From a quick scan of the posts thus far I haven't seen anyone mention an alternative scenario - which happens to be what applies to me:

I don't want to leave. I like the place, I like my house, I want the kid(s) to grow up here. I like the people and the parks and the river and everything.

BUT, the job is the problem. Some companies now can't support the staff they have let alone expansion, or they don't have buildings to work from.

So we are looking at moving, simply because we need to go where the career is.

[Subike]

Interestingl thread so far.
Those of us with the pioneering spirit will stay and rebuild, thats good,
Those of us with good solid finacial reasons will stay , thats good.
Those of us who are stressed out and want to move, thats good.
there will be a choice made by each of us according to our own needs, our comfortability, our finachial position.
But I am biased in my opinion because I have suffered no loss from this event , are back at work, things are basically the same as before Sept 4.
So for me to understand what you guys are going through is not possibil, other than listening to you all.
Work has now become a place of more oppotunities than before, as out of a staff of 51 in the assembly area, only 35 of us have stayed! Of the 16 that have left, 5 have been because of family, understandable. 6 were temps, who although they were called into work, have failed to turn up....??? A reflection of people who dont want to work? the other 5...have left christcurch for good.
So there will be jobs availabile next month at my work, I guess they will take but hours to fill.
But what about the rest of the employment situation? Its a mess all over the place, buildings distroyed, premisies flooded or now hills and valleys, most of us have a reason able idea of the damage out there.....the jobs will return faster than most might think. Oppotunity comes from disaster....hang in there for the long haul and the rewards will be great.
Go with our love HOT when you move, your a strong lady, but have had to endure more than a lot of us with your house damage and the commitment of your employment. I would not like to have to lived on the front line like you have for the past 6 mts. Find a little hospital in a small town and relax girl, you need and deserve that.
If we all practice a bit of selflessness over the next months of basic repair, we will all have great stories to tell our grandchildren about the day CHCH rocked.
Peace be with you all.

[Flip]

I was in Wellington on Tuesday. At one stage I looked up at all the glass on the front of the high-rise buildings and had what I could only describe as almost a panic attack!!!!! I had to cut a bee line to Manners mall and then to the car just to get out of the city.

[shrub]

You can drive for hours around the city looking at absolutely no damage whatsoever. Or you can travel to the badly affected areas and see lots of damage. This city will rebuild, it will rebuild where it is. It will take years to return Christchurch to what is was before, maybe up to 15yrs. But in the lifespan of a city, that is but a blip in time.

You're bang on the money there, I reckon at least 70% of this town is either fine or has suffered minimal damage. Very few of us died or were injured and most of us have all we need to thrive and prosper. We are still the biggest and most significant city in the South Island, we have a world class university, manufacturing and commerce, a benign climate and a well educated population; so we can and should succeed.

What concerns me the most is that changes to our infrastructure (like increasing the width of major arterial routes) will now not see the light of day for years to come. Mind you if a third of the city leaves then we won't need to worry about that so much

The majority of people that are leaving permanently now are predominantly those with no ties - no business, no job, rental home etc. They have limited impact on the viability of this town's success.

What worries me is that the changes that will have to be made to our infrastructure will be an attempt to regain what we lost, and we will spend a lot of money rebuilding a 20th century city - a city that is dependent on private cars and cheap energy. A city that doesn't recognise that energy will become increasingly expensive, that isn't built to respond to climate change, increasing food prices etc.

In many ways we have the most incredible opportunity possible. Our slate has been wiped clean and we can build a 21st century city instead of trying to adapt a 20th century city to the future. Take roads: instead of widening existing arterial roads, put in light rail and build a CBD that is oriented towards everyone not driving in. Build the city around the 4 avenues and have only half the avenues for cars with the other two lanes being light rail and a covered walkway/cycleway. That way the city is a hub where people drive/walk/cycle/bus to rail stations on the spokes and travel in by train. Once in town getting around is easy through public transport and pushbikes. And make the avenues commercial centres - a kind of CBD. Moorehouse is mostly car yards - what earthly good is that for our economy? Move them to a designated area - maybe somewhere that isn't safe to live in because if a quake happens jap import cars don't die.

Have each area of the town self sufficient in power with wind turbines, solar panels, solar water heating etc, and build highly energy efficient commercial buildings. That would slash business operatiing costs which would make ChCh businesses more competitive than anywhere else in NZ.

Make the CBD a recreation, light commercial and residential zone with 1 and 2 story laminated timber and steel structures that don't notice quakes and are energy efficient. Make it into an exciting and vibrant urban community.

All of these ideas have the potential to make ChCh one of the most exciting and commercially influential cities in the world, but they all cost money, and would never have even been considered 3 weeks ago. Now we HAVE to spend a brazillian dollars on this city, so do we use that money to try and rebuild the past or create the future?

[Winston001]

We are still the biggest and most significant city in the South Island, we have a world class university, manufacturing and commerce, a benign climate and a well educated population....

Say whut?? Crikey mate you've had a Pollyanna moment... Canterbury University tries its best certainly but with Otago looming over it, well no contest really. Climate?? This is the home of the foehn - the nor'wester, the devils wind. And your economy? Think what you will but Canterbury's wealth comes from farming and that will continue without any urban reliance.

In many ways we have the most incredible opportunity possible. Our slate has been wiped clean and we can build a 21st century city instead of trying to adapt a 20th century city to the future. Take roads: instead of widening existing arterial roads, put in light rail and build a CBD that is oriented towards everyone not driving in....

Make the CBD a recreation, light commercial and residential zone with 1 and 2 story laminated timber and steel structures that don't notice quakes and are energy efficient. Make it into an exciting and vibrant urban community.

Well ok, but after seeing the tsunami effects on coastal towns and cities in Japan, I'd be aiming for a new Christchurch on the Port Hills or out west, say Yaldhurst.


Jokes aside, the only way your vision could be realised is for a newish city to be born. You can't bulldoze private property rights just to redesign an existing city centre. I'm completely serious about moving away from the sea - nice place to visit, wouldn't want to live there.

[helenoftroy]

To be honest I think when home owners look at the practical realities of it, if their house is badly damaged they are probably stuck here until its fixed. They'll still have a mortgage to pay, and they won't be able to sell the house.

Absolutely

People react to different situations in different ways bro. Maybe for some the memories are too much, maybe the constant aftershocks are rattling them, maybe the damage to the city is too much of a reminder, maybe they were always thinking about moving and this is just a catalyst, maybe they have children who are scared, maybe maybe maybe. It's up to them, you or I haven't lived their life, so who would we be to criticise their reaction to what has been a life changing event.

Thank you for that OAB!

.....
Go with our love HOT when you move, your a strong lady, but have had to endure more than a lot of us with your house damage and the commitment of your employment. I would not like to have to lived on the front line like you have for the past 6 mts. Find a little hospital in a small town and relax girl, you need and deserve that.

Nothing will happen in a hurry Subike,but its been really tough & I just dont want to live here in the city anymore

Jokes aside, the only way your vision could be realised is for a newish city to be born. You can't bulldoze private property rights just to redesign an existing city centre. I'm completely serious about moving away from the sea - nice place to visit, wouldn't want to live there.

Totally agree on what you say -especially the last sentence...

[imdying]

Well ok, but after seeing the tsunami effects on coastal towns and cities in Japan, I'd be aiming for a new Christchurch on the Port Hills or out west, say Yaldhurst.

The two places that were the epicentres for the big ones?

[Winston001]

The two places that were the epicentres for the big ones?

The Port Hills are still standing?! No liquifaction there. A tiny number of houses hit by rocks, and sadly 2 people. The September epicentre was Darfield, not Yaldhurst, and the actual damage there was surprisingly light. Just look at how the Japanese buildings stood up to the quake and some even withstood the tsunami.

In fact many modern houses in Christchurch have survived both earthquakes. Shaken, twisted, cracks yes, but the structures did not collapse.

[onearmedbandit]

The two places that were the epicentres for the big ones?

A tsunami would mean the earthguake came from a completely different faultline, one out at sea, so if we were to be struck by one you'd be safer up there then anywhere within ChCh.

[imdying]

The Port Hills are still standing?! No liquifaction there. A tiny number of houses hit by rocks, and sadly 2 people.

Given the rock falls (170 major ones at last count), I would be relucant to relocate the town up there. Castle Hill would have chewed through a preschool with ease