Hi,
Re. the question about references - we didn't have any when we came over - (we'd never rented in the UK so had no references) we just showed them a letter of employment for DH including his salary & that was reference enough!! People take things on trust here so don't panic if you don't have references.
I'd definitely move to Mt Vic or Thorndon if I was moving to the city as a couple - nice walk into town - Thorndon you've got the botanic gardens close by (they have great concerts there all through Jan in the evenings all sorts of bands) - you just turn up with a picnick rug, a few bottles of wine & some nibbles & dance the night away. There's some really nice restaurants, cafe's (and of course the Speights Ale House!!) there & lovely old buildings - its got a lovely feel to it.
Mt Vic has great views & a nice feel to it - very handy to the city - only a short walk to Courtney Place & Oriental Bay. Lots of single friends & aquaintances living there very happily with super social lives.
Would only be moving to Oriental Bay if in the Millionaires Club (although did see a 2 bed apartment there for sale at $500K this week (maybe its due to the latest landslide there!! ;o)
Tawa as Carol says is more family oriented & is about 15 mins on train from city.
We have friends living in J'ville & they love it - its a short hop by car to the city 10 mins & about the same by train. Quite a lot cheaper than city locations, if you're close to the centre there's a lot of family stuff but is also good for young couples - couldn't compare it with Thorndon or the city for restaurants though. There's a couple of pubs that do pub food & one has big screens for the rugger, quite a few restaurants & takeaways, a good bakery & a few of the big name shops & supermarkets - not really nightlife capital - most people would go into the city for that. If you want the big nightlife to be in walking distance you'll need to live in the city. However, if you don't mind a short train ride home then J'ville is a good option.
Pretty much wherever you live in Welly you're going to have hills (unless you're on the sea-front or living & working right in the heart of the city!) so wherever you live you'll need to train your legs - promise - you won't notice the hills after about a year! I used to work in the botanic gardens (very hilly!) between an office up at the observatory & one down in the heart of the gardens (oh and walking down into the city for meetings!) - been good training because we live at the top of a steep hill now & I don't even notice it even pushing a heavy buggy!!
Brooklyn - you're going to have to cycle/car/bus it in from there to the city - nice place to live - again have friends living there (single) quite happily - good rental rates.