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Thread: wellington house prices....

  1. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Scotland > Hamilton, Waikato
    Posts
    1,137

    Default

    Hi Debs

    Can't really comment on house prices but Christchurch is quite an active place for IT software developers. OH is in infrastructure so not quite as good for him. We are headed for Hamilton.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Upper Hutt & Paraparaumu
    Posts
    141

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    You'll struggle to get a decent 4 bed for $350k in most of greater Wgtn tbh - we bought recently in Upper Hutt and didn't see anywhere for less than $400k that was reasonable and in a good area. That is unless you are prepared to get a bit of a doer-upper? There are properties in East Porirua and Naenae that may fit in the budget though!

    Kapiti coast only gets cheaper towards Waikanae that is just too far for most to commute (an hour if commute at midnight ). I commuted from Paekakariki and that was far enough!

    IMO Wgtn is even keel with AKL for the IT Software market, with CHCH not far behind - there are jobs in other regional centres, just less of them and you have to be very lucky or your skills extremely in demand (a friend just got an IT Sales job in Tauranga, which has a tiny IT community).

    BP

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Wokingham Berkshire
    Posts
    28

    Default School Zones

    Having just (yesterday) returned from reccy i have to agree with whats been said. You may get something on a $450K budget but more likely $500K. Another thing to consider is that many of the good secondary schools are zoned which can put $50K on the price. Otherwise you need to budget a $1000 a month for private schooling.Our daughter will be going to secondary if we go and that has ruled out Upper Hutt and Whitby unless we pay for private. Also cost of living is about the same as here. With a few exceptions ( books !) if something costs £2 it will be $6 although eating out,cars and petrol are cheaper. We're still considering.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wellington, NZ From Hants,UK
    Posts
    41

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    Hi All

    We arrived in Welly earlier this month and TBH we been going through a period of eye opening moments since. Some great and some not so
    We have been surprised at the size of property you get for your money and generally how small most of the sections are - we have two young boys so was keen on a bit of a garden for them to play in

    For us it is a big balancing game of value vs commute time.

    The first two weeks were a case of driving around all the various suburbs every day - at diff times of the day as well to get a gage on what can be sought for what money.
    It is true the further out you are prepared to go the more you will get for your money - but you have to weigh that against what can be an hour+ commute depending on location. Also have to consider whether a hill side property is a consideration or whether a flater section is required.
    The sun can be a big factor as well - all the hills can play a major factor on when you get sun. For instance Churton Park is a good location, good school, good community, lots of older and newer style housing (Choice) etc etc Only down sides we found were price (Fairly expensive) and also it was almost completely in shadow by just gone 3pm (I know its coming into winter so wont be like that during the summer). I mention it because that could be a big factor for some - get round it by being careful on plot location.

    Commute time and also commute route needs to be considered on how you will get into the city.

    If its by car - can you afford the petrol and do you have a park, if no supplied park can you afford $10 a day parking.
    If by public transport - you have to consider the stages of transport. For instance we looked at Whitby (A great area IMO) and the commute would mean a quick drive/bus to the train station - a 30-40 min train ride to the city - then a 10-15min bus ride/walk across to my work. So all in all a 3 stage hour+ trip each way.

    Our plan was/is to rent for at least 6 months to try an settle and see how the area goes before considering buying.
    Rentals go very quickly - so would def recommend to do some research beforehand and be positive when viewing - if you like somewhere be prepared to move on it (Hence do the research before).
    Again value of rentals depend on location of course as well. $400-$500 per week won't get much in the city (actually quite shocked at some places) but further out a reasonable 4 bed can be sought out for that price

    So we have decided on a rental in the Greenacres area near Tawa. It is out of the city so will be a small commute (half hour) but it is big enough so that we are not on top of each other. Great view of the valley and all day sun (Which is a big boon for the OH). A walk to the local primary but more than a walk to the shops (So will prob need two cars - but will see if one will do for now).

    The thoughts of buying are right on the backburner with the exchange rate in its current state - just have to hope we can survive without that money - just have to see how it goes.

    Well that's about it for my ramblings - hopefully helps somebody!

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Waterloo, Lower Hutt
    Posts
    505

    Default

    For a tidy 4 bedroom home in greater Wellington $450-550k would be a typical range for a tidy home in an average or better area.

    My personal pick of areas would be Tawa or neighbouring suburbs, as it has a good balance between value for money housing, local amenities & shops, good schools , good public transport (esp. trains) and still maintaining a reasonable commuting distance to the city.

    As Kirkandliz highlighted do consider light and dryness/wind direction, while the hills and valleys provide a nice backdrop, they can also bring other issues.

    Shawn

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Upper Hutt & Paraparaumu
    Posts
    141

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by clodestar View Post
    Having just (yesterday) returned from reccy i have to agree with whats been said. You may get something on a $450K budget but more likely $500K. Another thing to consider is that many of the good secondary schools are zoned which can put $50K on the price. Otherwise you need to budget a $1000 a month for private schooling.Our daughter will be going to secondary if we go and that has ruled out Upper Hutt and Whitby unless we pay for private. Also cost of living is about the same as here. With a few exceptions ( books !) if something costs £2 it will be $6 although eating out,cars and petrol are cheaper. We're still considering.
    One of the reasons we chose Upper Hutt rather than the Porirua/Whitby area was that there was some good secondary schools in the area for our 15 year old (Upper Hutt College, St Pats Heretaunga, Hutt International etc), whereas the choice around Porirua seemed to be travel to Tawa or Kapiti (varying reports on Aotea College!).

    Matt

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