Napier (and maybe Hastings) neighborhoods

[GreenMeansGo]

Hawkes Bay here we come!! OH has been offered a job in Napier

We are planning on having only one car and we have 2 kids who will be in primary school. We are looking for a good family friendly neighborhood with easy public transport for OH and good schools. Reasonable rental prices are also important

Having only one car, is Hastings an option or is there not good bus service into Napier?

Suggestions on neighborhoods and schools appreciated!

[1979vanessa]

Great choice!! I've been in Napier for 2 months and love it here. I don't know much about schools as I don't have children, but a friend of mine specifically moved to Taradale for the schools. So when are you guys moving? and what's the job?

[Kanga]

Taradale is the 'family friendly' suburb of Napier complete with decent schools etc. Anywhere round Hospital Hill is nice too but pricey. Bus services are rubbish so if you're sure you only want one car you might want to restrict your search to Napier. Taradale is a good 'safe' bet of a suburb to start off in- here are some rentals on trademe: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Cate...22=0&59=0&59=0

Good luck- Hawkes Bay is lovely

[shakyle2906]

HI

We live in Hastings. Son goes to Frimley school which is one of the best schools around and has won some awards.

Bus services are crap - an hourley service to Napier, no train service.

Taradale and Greenmeadows are nice, but can be pricey. Lots of schools there, sorry dont know of any names to hand!

Whereabouts will your OH be working ?

Happy to help with any enquiries if i can!

Sharon
xx

[GreenMeansGo]

thanks all!

I appreciate the heads up on the bus services! We're pretty sure about the one car thing, OH is happy to bike when the weather is good, and depending on how close we are to school, I'm guessing he will take the car sometimes. He has mentioned interest in a scooter or motorcycle as well we'll see!

It's a planning position. I'm not sure exactly where in Napier it is. He hasn't finalized a start date yet, but I'm thinking February. we have so much to do, it seems inconcievable that it's just a couple months away!

I seem to recall hearing about Taradale before. Took a brief look at their primary school's website- they have their own pool-- pretty swanky!!
I don't know if we'll fit in, lol!

It doesn't seem that there are that many rentals available in Napier, plus another issue is that we're bringing our dog, which narrows things down even further!

Are there any areas that are less safe/desirable that we should know about?

[babscat]

My daughter and family are in Taradale and love it. Can tell you more if you care to pm me

[three to go]

Hawkes Bay here we come!! OH has been offered a job in Napier

Congrats GMG!!

We arrive in Napier on 9th Jan.

I think I gave you the website details that my employer sent to me in another post but check these out if you haven't already:

http://www.napier.govt.nz/council/do...life_guide.pdf

http://www.napier.govt.nz/council/do...mers_guide.pdf

http://www.napierlife.com/index.php?cid=mag/summary

http://www.broadbaseimmigration.co.uk/
(loads of free articles on aspects of moving to NZ - mostly relevant to moving from the UK but some info transferable to other countries)

http://www.hawkesbay.com/

If I come across anything else, I will post it too.

[JandM]

Congratulations on the job!

[Kanga]

I seem to recall hearing about Taradale before. Took a brief look at their primary school's website- they have their own pool-- pretty swanky!!
I don't know if we'll fit in, lol!

Most schools do- even our 20 kid rural one

[Fern01]

Are there any areas that are less safe/desirable that we should know about?

Most areas have some undesirables living somewhere. Maraenui, Napier, is one to be aware of, as is Flaxmere in Hastings.