Hamilton, Cambridge or Rotorua?

[Canny Lad]

Greetings Everybody!

I have been busy making applications for jobs in NZ. Been very close but no offer yet. However, I have submitted 2 job applications which I am hoping will result in success What is it like to live and work in Rotorua?

The other job is based in Waikato, and so I am wondering which is best ... Hamilton or Cambridge? I have 2 kids aged 12 and 14 and we are looking for the best state schools for them. My OH will be going to Uni to train as a nurse. So plenty of changes all round!

As always any help and advice would be awesome. Thank you.

Regards, Canny Lad

[Dell]

This doesn't answer your questions, but IMHO Cambridge is the prettier of the three towns.

[Kanga]

And Hamilton has the best state high option (imo)- Hillcrest. nurse training through wintec in Hamilton, too.

[Hagabel]

Cambridge High rates pretty well also. I live in Cambridge, commute to Waikato for a nursing job. Commute fine, about 25-30 mins.
We love Cambridge, esp for kids, plenty of sports etc going on for kids, pretty town and very laid back. My husband and I had decided after renting for a while we would not live in Hamilton for a number of reasons but a lot of coworkers live there and love it.

[Carey]

Cambridge a lovely place for families, High School is fine, lots going on sporty and academic wise.

[Canny Lad]

Thanks for the replies everyone - as always it is a big help.

It looks like my options have narrowed down to only Rotorua. I have researched it as much as possible via previous threads, web links and the local paper. However, it is still hard to get a really good handle on what it is like to live and work there.

As far as I can tell, the pros are - compact town, sporty lifestyle and affordable housing. The cons are the smell, wet weather and ?. Any insights into living there would be very helpful.

Thanks and regards,

Canny Lad

[edw123]

A lot depends on the type of person you are.

Cambridge is very clean, very safe and quite pretty (although hardly beautiful), but it's also effectively an extended retirement village - the dullest town I've ever been too (and that includes Frinton on Sea). The shops shut at around 3pm on some days!! Only possible benefit is it has the only shop which sells a Viz Magazine I've found in NZ.

Rotarua is a tourist town, it smells funny (you probably get used to it), and although it's cheap to live there, again, not much going on and it's a fair drive from the nearest place.

Hamilton is a medium sized nonedescript large town by UK standards. Probably similar to somewhere like Swindon or Ipswich or something like that. Decent shops, lots of malls, and pubs, clubs, restaurants, casino etc. - plus you have the Waikato Stadium for Rugby Games and lots of sport around. That would be my choice.....

[Rob&Don]

A lot depends on the type of person you are.

Cambridge is very clean, very safe and quite pretty (although hardly beautiful), but it's also effectively an extended retirement village - the dullest town I've ever been too (and that includes Frinton on Sea). The shops shut at around 3pm on some days!! Only possible benefit is it has the only shop which sells a Viz Magazine I've found in NZ.

Rotarua is a tourist town, it smells funny (you probably get used to it), and although it's cheap to live there, again, not much going on and it's a fair drive from the nearest place.

Hamilton is a medium sized nonedescript large town by UK standards. Probably similar to somewhere like Swindon or Ipswich or something like that. Decent shops, lots of malls, and pubs, clubs, restaurants, casino etc. - plus you have the Waikato Stadium for Rugby Games and lots of sport around. That would be my choice.....

Firstly, You can only smell the sulphur in certain parts of town, mainly in the town centre. It is only noticeable when you first arrive, then you hardly notice it at all.
Secondly, There is lots of free things to do like visit the Redwoods, Lake front, walking tracks, biking tracks etc.......There are also lots of Rotorua attractions that are heavily discounted for locals.
Hamilton is OK for shopping or visiting but wouldn't want to live there, Same for Cambridge.
As you can probably tell we are slightly biased where Rotorua is concerned! We like it here, its working for us, and we have no intention of living anywhere else..................at the moment!

[Canny Lad]

Thanks everyone,

I did read a post somewhere (can't find it anywhere) from a ENZ forumite living in Cambridge and working for Ray White? Does anyone know who this person is - not their real name obviously, just their forum name thx,

Regards,
Canny Lad

[Hagabel]

Hey now I do not find Cambridge boring, unless you are looking for nightlife. Most of the shops are open 0900-1700 and only close early on Sat or Sunday. Cambridge is a great place for older people or people with kids. there are plenty of things going on for kids, esp sporting stuff. Good cafes and restaurants and Hamilton is nearby for everything else.