Sell me Auckland!

DH is looking at a job in Auckland.  Now whilst I was born in Auckland, educated in Auckland and my folks still live in the surrounds, it is Christchurch where I have spent the longest stretch of my life. 

I love it down here, love the weather...even the cold days.  Love the snow, the NWers etc.  I like the fact that Chch is a city that is more like a big town.  All my current friends are down here (or moving down here). 

However Auckland has my "old" friends...which have babies/kids so good.  It also has both sets of grandparents plus numerous extended family.

 

But....its expensive, could we ever afford a house?  What is the maternity care like?  If I lived in Ellerslie, where would I give birth?  Can anyone recommend MWs / OBs?

 

Sell me the city!!!!! (please)

Yeah, we are set for a house at the moment as Mum and Dad used to live in Ellerslie but have just built at Snell's Beach and havent decided what to do with their old house (oh, the dilemna) so we could rent that.

 

Mum told me that there are HEAPs of babies in Ellerslie but I didnt realise that included the lovely Harry!

 

Good to know there is a recommendation for MWs.  If we take the job (if he gets it) then I think we will probably be moving within the next couple of months.   So I would be half way through my PG.

Hi nzpiper

I live in Ellerslie, I find it really good. Really close to the city, but not so close it is noisy etc. We own our own home, but as the market is really low at the moment you would be in a great position to look around and fine yourselves a deal.

Re maternity care, I used an obstetrician, based out of Birthcare (Auckland Obstetric Centre) but had Oliver at Auckland Hospital. Was all really good. Schools are meant to be really good in this area as well. The other thing is that Ellerslie is such a nice little village within Auckland City and that can be really nice.

Cheers
Amanda

And we could well be birthcare buddies!

Auckland has its ups and downs - and they usually off-set each other. Things can be more expensive, but overall, salaries are higher.

Ellerslie is a nice area, and central too.

The other thing that may be worth looking into is living in an outlying area and travelling a little - the $200,000.00 or so you'll save on a mortgage might make the petrol costs worthwhile

Awwww.... that would be sad if you did move back up there!

There would be 3 people from Christchurch that would miss you!

I nanny a baby in Ellerslie three mornings a week.
Howick, pakuranga, Bucklands beach , Beachlands might be worth a look too

I was bought up in Ellerslie and would love to move back there but the houses aren't big enough for all my DH's kids!!!!

We live in Dannemora which is close to Whitford and there are lots of playgroups and activities which we go to. A new big park is being built as well.

Zac and Samara would love a new play buddy and you guys could come to the meet ups that the July/August group have.

Edited by Kim

I love Auckland, but helps I have lots of friends and family here and was born here! The landscape is so versatile, you have the Waitakere Ranges, the City, the water, famland and you are never too far away from a beach or a mall!

Good thing is that you will have lots of ready made friends from OhBaby.

Another good thing about Ellerslie is my two fave places. Cock and Bull and Francolis (great restaurant).

I LOVE Auckland, I just can't imagine living anywhere else, but maybe that's because I have never lived anywhere else! I have lived on the North Shore, the Hibiscus Coast (Whangaparaoa) and I now live in rural West Auckland (Kumeu). I love it because it is like lots of smaller more intimate communities within a bigger metropolitan city. So you can still have that 'small town' feel, while having access to the other things that a bigger city can offer. We are lucky enough to run a business from the rural property where we live, so I don't have to travel to work. I try and time my travelling for 'off-peak' times. Yes travelling during peak times can be a hassle, but if you can avoid that then there is no problem. Comparatively to other areas in NZ, Auckland is an expensive town to live in. But in my opinion it is worth it. In a recent international survey Auckland was found to be the 5th best city to live in - in the World! Wellington was at 12th. Pretty cool to live in the 5th best city in the world I reckon. I love the beaches, the waterfront, the forests, the people, the bars, the restaurants, the concerts...etc! It is a multi-cultural and dynamic city. It depends what you are into really, but for me Auckland ticks all the boxes. How's that for a hard-sell, lol!