South Wairarapa

[revel]

Hi,

We're thinking of moving to a plot just outside Featherston from Wellington. We were just over that way and we got really conflicting views about it as a place to live, primarily the community. Having looked at the forum it seems some people think there's quite a good community in Featherston as it's not so full of second-homers, but when we were there the few we spoke to kept saying that people really keep to themselves and there's no much community spirit. They said it's much better in Martinborough or Greytown. Just wondering if anyone lives/ed there and what their opinion is. Meeting people is important to us. We're still open to Martinborough and Greytown. OH would commute, so Featherston has a slight train advantage. We don't have kids at the moment, but they're in the near future plans... if that makes a difference...?

Thanks for any advice/input.

[sizzlingbadger]

Have to say for us Featherston has a great community spirit (we had three young children when we moved though), very family orientated in that it has 2 primary schools, playcentre, music and other groups available. There are quite a few commuters and you do get to meet people on the train.

We live in Greytown (used to live in Featherston and wouldn't have moved out if we could have found the ideal property) but I work both in Featherston and Martinborough. Greytown has it's lively moments but as you've been told there are a lot of second homers and homestays here, I've actually found it a lot harder meeting people here than Featherston as no one really wants to know you. It does have a cafe culture at the weekends and you'll find a lot more people here although I wouldn't say they're any more friendly than Featherston to be honest.

Martinborough is different a lot of tourists and traveling through people. A smaller community again than Featherston and Greytown, if you don't like the quiet then it wouldn't be for you, it's totally dead Autumn right through till around Spring time. There is a reasonably good community network and the small town mentality that everyone knows everyone which isn't always for the best ! !

Good luck, tough decision but if you're looking for good value rural property then Featherston would be great

[revel]

Thanks sizzlingbanger - that's really useful! I think we're leaning towards Featherston at the moment. None of them are that far away from each other, but they all seem to offer something a bit different from each other.

[sizzlingbadger]

Sorry for tardy reply been away enjoying a very wet Sydney ! !

The 3 towns certainly do have very different things to offer, Featherston is definitely a good choice If I could move back tomorrow I would