Hi,
This is the first time I have used any forum so hope it works and that I don't mess up too much.
We are considering returning to NZ after 40 years in UK and Europe. Yes, 40 years is a long time.....we had our reasons. Now our reason has grown up and flown to the antipodies himself - but not NZ. We want to return to NZ where my husband is from (3rd generation Kiwi) and where I went to school and grew up very happily indeed. Can't afford to return to Auckland and actually, with all respect, it is nothing like it was 40 yrs ago.
We'd like to live in not too much isolation as being in EU and UK has got us used to being amongst a community and not too far away from things. We love nature, beach and country walks as well as the convenience of a small town cinema etc. without it being a large, busy place. We are both retired so work is not an issue.
We seem to have considered so many locations and now feel very confused. Places considered : Picton & Blenheim ... availability of houses in Picton isn't good and it now seems Blenheim (following recent awful earthquake) might not be the ideal place to take up retired life.
We've also thought about Cambridge but wondered if it might be very quiet.
Whitianga - we love but it is quite a way up the peninsular and again.....difficulty in availability of houses.
Finally wondering if anyone knows anything about Thames as a place to live. In fact if anyone has information/opinions on any of the above places I would be very happy to hear your views.
I know this is very, very vague and I would love to be able to narrow our search down a bit.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully received.