Anyone living in the Bay of Plenty Region?

[Sharonc1023]

Me, my partner and our two young girls are hoping to emigrate to NZ within the next 6 months. We are paper work ready, my partner Dave is just looking for work and may have found the ideal job opportunity in Rotorua, so dependent on if he gets this job we could be leaving the UK to start our new life. I am just looking to speak with anyone who is living in the Bay of Plenty Region to discuss everything and anything from local schools to places to have coffee. I have not visited NZ but Dave has and even though i am excited and 100% behind the idea I am concerned about leaving my life in the UK behind to start again! I am a social person so i would love to chat with some locals. Hope to hear from you Sharon

[Flyingfoxnz]

Originally Posted by Sharonc1023

Me, my partner and our two young girls are hoping to emigrate to NZ within the next 6 months. We are paper work ready, my partner Dave is just looking for work and may have found the ideal job opportunity in Rotorua, so dependent on if he gets this job we could be leaving the UK to start our new life. I am just looking to speak with anyone who is living in the Bay of Plenty Region to discuss everything and anything from local schools to places to have coffee. I have not visited NZ but Dave has and even though i am excited and 100% behind the idea I am concerned about leaving my life in the UK behind to start again! I am a social person so i would love to chat with some locals. Hope to hear from you Sharon

Hi Sharon!

First of all I wish you and your family all the best for your new adventure

I am a Kiwi, born and bread in the BOP; specifically in Tauranga (About 1-1.5 hrs drive from Rotorua towards the east coast)

Rotorua has a nice little town centre and there are lots of places and cafes that you can try out. I can't give any names, but the quirky little ones with interesting décor usually have really great food and coffee. It's also not far to nip over to Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui for the beach. The cafes etc along the Strand in Tauranga are really nice too.

I'd offer to catch up and show you around, but I live in Switzerland now

Best wishes!

FF

[Sharonc1023]

Hi FF

Thank you for your reply. My partner spent some time in Tauranga when he visted and he really liked it their. In an ideal world we would like to be close to the coast and Dave will travel to Rotorua for work. Can you offer any suggestions on commutable locations??

The job in Rotorua is hoting up and we are keeping our fingers and toes crossed that it will be offered but who knows. I'm just hoping i can get some feedback from others that live in the area as i am worried about arriving not knowing anyone.. Mind you i do have my girls and i guess they are great talking points.

How long have you lived in Switzerland? I bet that is alot different to NZ!

Thanks again

Sharon

[Flyingfoxnz]

Hey Sharon,

No worries, glad to be of help

If you check out maps.google.com you'll be able to get an idea on the following locations...

Papamoa would be a nice location close to the beach and nice communities. A lot of nice subdivisions plus shopping centres have sprung up around there and the commute to Rottenrua (because of the sulphur ) would be sigificantly reduced to 55mins, instead of 1hr 25, going via state highways 2 and 33. Schools and communities out there should be nice for the girls too.

If you like a more quiet countryside life without the beach on the back yard, the area directly south east of Barkes corner (near Greerton) has developed a nice looking community around a private school there. The commute would be about 55mins, and 55km (32 miles?), on a windy but sealed country road - fun to drive.

I'd probably choose Papamoa out of those two options. The houses in subdivisions north of the highway will be more expensive, but nicer, of course. Century 21, the professionals or Harveys Papamoa etc would have some prices I'm sure... This might give an idea actually... Real Estate New Zealand - Papamoa Real Estate - houses for sale and rental properties - Property Profile Looks nice and close to the beach and not far from the shops too, if you don't mind being surrounded by houses. Though it's only 2 blocks either side of the coast and a big park reserve.

I'm sure you'll do fine meeting people... and I hope you enjoy the lifestyle.

Things over here in Europe are a bit different to home, that's for sure! It's great though and we get to go home for Xmas anyway . I've been here for 1.5 years now and after the long process of learning German and finding a job, the hard bit is over. It's a wonderful country for enjoying the mountains and nature. My husband and I paraglide, so the Alps are perfect for that! It's ski season now too!

Anyways, take care and all the best. Keep us posted.

FF

[Twomoons1010]

If you are still moving to Rotorua, I would suggest the Lynmore area, Owhata, Kawaha point there are plenty of good areas. Rotorua is a very central location, its not far to most north island places. We live on the Owhata/Lynmore boundary, our children go to Lynmore primary school, good school nice area.

Owhata (Or-far-ta)