New Plymouth....

I posted a few weeks or so ago about moving to Tauranga. DH asked at work and was told the waiting list is huuuuggggeee so we are now deciding on New Plymouth as we have family there.

Can anyone please tell me where the good and bad areas are to live?? I have seen nice houses on trademe but have no idea what areas are ok or not.

Oh and if it is a good place to live?? DH likes it but I feel a bit claustraphobic there sometimes as it seems far away from anywhere. I do love the walkway and Pukekura Park.

TIA

I think it rocks There are a few NP mums on here now as well. You have the park, the beach, the coastal walkway, the museum, Tawhiti Museum down Hawera ways for when the kids are a wee bit older, the mountain...I could go on!!

It's not that far away from everywhere - 4-5 hours from Wellington, 3 hours from Hamilton, 4-5 hours from Auckland....

Bad areas...the worst is Marfell. Are you looking to buy or rent? Lynmouth is good, and close to all schools (primary, intermediate and secondary) and kindergartens, and only a short walk from town. Westown is a well established area in most parts...you also have access to all types of schools, and they have their own little village with a video store, pharmacy, florist (oe 2), bakery, car yard, Lotto, butcher.....Spotswood isn't bad either. Bell Block is awesome as well, but it depends on where your DH will be working as to whether it would suit (travel times can be bad!!). Fitzroy is pretty good as well.

A lot of it will depend on where your DH will be working..CBD, or a particular part of NP.

We would rent initially and then look to buy.

I heard Waitara isn't that great. Your poor friend.

DH will be in the CBD and his parents are in Bell Block. Is the traffic really that bad though??? How long in peak hour would it take from town to Bell Block?

Is Spotswood ok as I thought that may have been a bit dodgy (could be wrong). Will check out Lynmouth.

Other areas that houses seem ok are Westown and Vogeltown - any opinions on these areas?

Oooh that is bad! I do actually remember a couple of years ago driving into Bell Block and the traffic was terrible coming out of NP, but I thought that was because it was Xmas Eve and everyone was leaving but it may have just been peak hour. I hope once the expressway is finished it will be better.

Moturoa - I think that was the place I liked when we went for a drive this Xmas! Seems like a nice little seaside place.

Just googled top 20 things to do in Taranaki and Lake Rotorangi looks nice and I had never heard of it before.

Are there safe swimming beaches nearby? I grew up in Hamilton so local beach was Raglan so I'm use to west coast beaches but do prefer east as they can be alot calmer as Im a bit of a chicken in the water.

Thanks so much ladies , gives me some idea on what to look for.

Cool! Sounds good! Hate waves lol!