Wellington Travel Forum

Hi Guys,

Finally it seems our dream to live in kiwiland is becoming a reality. I have work set up for my arrival and am having to sell my car and find rentals for my house. Mad stuff! Out of essex at last!
During my recent trip I went exploring some of Wellington's suburbs and really loved the likes of Seatoun and Island bay. I was wondering if anybody lives in or around these areas or indeed other subrbs and has any opinions on them? I will be working in Johnsonville and my guy will probably be working in central town or Miramar depending on work. I would like to live somewhere with a little community, a few amenities but most of all, close to the sea to enjoy those sunsets (I'm a photographer).
If anybody lives in any other suburbs and thinks I should check them out too I would love to hear from you. I know it's a bit of a weird question asking others where I should live but I figured if someone was moving to the UK and said they were going to move to harlow I'd probably recommend somewhere else if you get me!!
One final thing, my guy is a 3d animator looking for work around Welly. He's currently working on a showreel to send off to various local companies but if anybody can offer any advice to help him find work we would of course be eternally grateful!!

Thank you lovely people!

H
xx

Ha ha!! Hiya Craic. Thanks so much for your replies, you've seriously made me laugh! I have no idea if it's frequently referred to these days as Welly. We heard it a couple of times when we were out there but it's more to do with us being lazy when we post!!
Thanks for your advice about the suburbs, and no, I am not sure at all if I want to settle in Island bay or Seatoun. In fact I don't have a clue now where I want to settle! I have had a couple of messages from people saying...Seatoun...you sure...you're only 21!! Ha ha! Anyway, I will indeed check out the areas you have mentioned. I am really in a spin now because somebody else suggested Porirua and that looks good too. I do not mind travelling to work, Wellington seemed to small and compact to us and lets face it, it's better than taking the tube to work driving round those gorgeous hills! I have no idea where we'll settle but thank you so much for the advice, it's the local knowledge of the area which is priceless! I'm sure anything would be better than the current view we have out onto a car park here in Essex! Thank you so much once again, we really are grateful!
H
xxx

Opps that was meant to read Wellington seemed to be small and compact to us (a good thing!) I wish I looked at what I typed!

What about the Kilbirnie area?

My best mate lives there and she loves it.

And porirua is not much, though I only know it from my experience in 2003.

Seems still a bit rundown although the mall is the big hype hey?

Hey Craic,

You know the Kilbirnie cricket field?

Well there is the hill opposite of the road that kind of points to the cricket field. She lives on the highest house there with massive windows.

If you look at my page I have a photo from her house that might help you get a look at what Im talking about.

I think it might be the best place in all of Wellington view wise

Yeah actually her father and now i can call him my friend is the head groundskeeper for Kilburnie Green and many of the other parks throughout Wellington. He's been doing it for awhile I guess.

I don't know about Bruce Mason but she just bought the bottom half of a house and I guess there is a brilliant musician living right next door though I never met him.

She actually just quit there. I really liked it but I guess you are right about wannabe hip. Hell what do I know? I'm an american and I was in NZ.

Nonetheless, free food and drink. :P

I completely understand what you are talking about, but I think that is the essence of Wellington. I could be wrong, you have obviously a lot more experience than I do and a completely different vantage point, but I think Wellington is that city for those who want to be the first to do things (aka Hip - trendy). They are afterall the first capital to see the sun each day...

They made sure I knew that.

NZ was the first place I've ever been out of the USA to visit. Sad I know, but true as I grew up in the Midwest and we typically stay home and work on the farm... pun intended but I guess I am just the black sheep of the family.

Anyway to get on with my rant... I was really surprised how much American culture comes into NZ. I did though like NZ entertainment just as much though and found myself watching (sigh) the kiwi soaps like Shortland Street before American TV. I guess you can blame that on wanting to add to the experience but oh well.

Hi guys,

I know this post is really old but I thought I'd post anyway to let you know I'm here and living in Karaka bay heights!
I've got the most amazing sea views with Seatoun to my right and the eastbourne lights to my left. I've just looked up to see the interislander sail past....it's gorgeous here. I just roll down the hill to Miramar which I really love. It's just got a feel about it, lots of creative energy in the air!
Hope you're all well, thanks for the advice. Seems like I got my wish and Miramar and the Eastern suburbs is where I'll stay.
Thanks again
H

And I live just around the corner near where P Jackson has set up a King Kong filming site, on the edge of Lyall Bay.
Be good to meet up!
Roger

No, Jennifer, just around the corner towards Houghton Bay, just past Hungerford Road (you know, that really steep street). They set up a whole bunch of shipping containers and built a cliff face around them. I took some photos a couple of evenings ago, so could email them to you if you're interested! I don't want to post them here in case I get busted by King Kong!
cheers
Roger

I'd suggest living not so close into the city to enjoy some ralaxed time when not at work! and for sea views atc... try anything in the northern suburbs.. and remember traveling into the Johnsonvile area is stil pretty quick.... well... peak times an be a pain I suppose .
but .. do we live to work or work to live? and where do we spend our home time for relaxed time?

Titahi Bay - some new areas are openning up with new housing.. to search though - You'd probably need to go throigh a "porirua" site - since it's a suburb of-
cambourne.. Whitby, Paramata, Plimmerton.. all close to the sea, some right on it!
have a look at... http://www.open2view.com/
it'll give you a good idea.....
and also.. if you are almost decided on a suburb - but would like a "unpolished""unbiased" view of it - I'm sure anyone in here would be happy to take a few snapshots and email them to you.... email me if you like... though to b honest I dont have the best digi cam at present.. an old 1 megapixel!! but .. it'd be ok.. ( I'v emailed Santa for a better one :)

Hi ya

Island Bay is a great suburb. Right on the south coast but the road to the city is straight and quick to travel so essentially you are really a 7 min drive from town. Plus the bus service is excellent in Wellington and Island Bay is well serviced. Great little community and plenty of amenities. I loved living there and would live there again in a heartbeat.
Also check out Hataitati. Very close to town and good services.
Seatoun is a little further out of town than I like to live but it is very pretty and I have friends there. I just like to be within walking distance of town so I can crawl or bus home if Courtney Place has lured me into a late night!
Check out Lyall Bay and Kilbirnie also.

Hi Marie,
Thing they may already be here, that was a thread from 2004 :-))
Also looks like craic (Jen)'s replies have been deleted as well, just incase you wondered.
Warm up here, how about you?

Hi Pam, that is hillarious - I didn't even look! It's been a cracker day here, still, sunny and warm. Yay for spring I say!
M :)

haha It's easy to happen.
Yeah spring is a couple of weeks early. Great for the early change of clocks this year. We still might get a blast from the Ice, though.
Have a fun weekend :-))
Pam.