Hi,
We're currently renting in Welcome Bay but are moving to Papamoa in a couple of weeks. The traffic from Welcome Bay into town can be a problem - but it's all relative!! The locals always comment on the bad traffic when I say I live in Welcome Bay, but as it used to take me 1 hour to drive 6 miles to work in Manchester I don't think it's that bad! In the morning I leave the house about 7.25 and am at my desk in the CBD by 7:50. That includes a 10 min stroll from 4th Ave to Elizabeth Street (so that I don't have to pay for parking!! Could probably walk it quicker but I've only got short legs!!!) Traffic seems to be slightly worse coming home around 5pm-ish, and sometimes I'll be queueing for a while to get on the roundabout. But it doesn't bother me too much. Apparently, work is soon to commence on a traffic light control system for the Welcome Bay roundabout in the hopes of easing the congestion. (oh and it takes us 15-20 mins to get to the beach from here)
The reason we are moving to Papamoa is to be nearer the beach. We're going to be renting in Papamoa east, which is a bit out in the sticks but am hoping it'll take 40 mins max to get into work. On a friday night at 8pm it took me 25 mins to get from papamoa east to elizabeth street, of course there was hardly any traffic on the road at that time. If you lived the other side of Papamoa it should be 30 mins max into town. We also looked at renting in Matua and really like the area but house prices reflect the fact it's a good area and being so close to the beach swung it for Papamoa. Our new house is a 5 min walk from the beach
Can't really comment on Bethlehem I'm afraid.
If I can help with any other questions let me know
Clare