Discussion
We just got back from a lovely weekend in Napier. The weather was fantastic, the drive relaxed, the accommodation we happened upon was right on the beach (Bay View) and after talking to some local real estate agents, we discovered that it isn't such a daft idea to look at buying a little pub and making a switch of lifestyle!
Ideally we want to buy/build/renovate an old building to produce a nice relaxed pub/hotel with stripped wooden floors, open fires, chesterfield sofas, and play facilities for children and comfortable accomodation for fat Americans to squander their easy-earned over! Additionally, seeing as there are some great driving roads I'd want to be able to B&B cars as well as folk.
Does anyone have any places they have experienced where we should avoid? Anywhere people think we should definitely look? I'm always open to other peoples opinions!
Ideally we want to buy/build/renovate an old building to produce a nice relaxed pub/hotel with stripped wooden floors, open fires, chesterfield sofas, and play facilities for children and comfortable accomodation for fat Americans to squander their easy-earned over! Additionally, seeing as there are some great driving roads I'd want to be able to B&B cars as well as folk.
Does anyone have any places they have experienced where we should avoid? Anywhere people think we should definitely look? I'm always open to other peoples opinions!
Jamie,
I grew up in that area and know it like the back of my hand. It's a lovely area and one of only two areas in this country I'd actually CHOOSE to live if I had the chance (if I didn't have to consider career etc) and as a matter of fact I'm tentatively thinking of moving back there at some stage.
I'm from Havelock North down there, I don't know if you made it out there, which in my opinion is the pick of the bunch, this being reflected in housing prices of course. I still go back there several times a year and it always strikes me when I go back how much the place has grown and is still growing.... there used to be about one pub and that was it when I ws growing up, now there's about 4 or 5 and cafes for Africa. It's a good mix of small town (12,000 ish) within spitting distance to two major (by NZ standards) cities. The people are generally friendly, although in my experience the standard of driving is shocking. The climate is probably THE nicest in NZ along with Marlborough (you can't have a Wine industry if your climate isn't near-perfect) and with a couple of major companies reinvesting in the area (Heinz/Watties, Montana etc), it's really brought the area back to life after about 15 years of decline after most of the major meatworks there shut down, crippling the local economy.
I suggest you go back there and take the time to go out to Ocean Beach, Waimarama and Clifton beaches down there, they're pretty much the archetypal kiwi beach, and wonderful mid-summer.
If there's anything you want to know about the area or anything I can help ya with, just get in touch mate, always happy to help. My folks are still living there and know a LOT of the local community so I'm probably not a bad source of info.
Personally I can't wait for my next visit, going down labour weekend after my folks are back from the UK.
I grew up in that area and know it like the back of my hand. It's a lovely area and one of only two areas in this country I'd actually CHOOSE to live if I had the chance (if I didn't have to consider career etc) and as a matter of fact I'm tentatively thinking of moving back there at some stage.
I'm from Havelock North down there, I don't know if you made it out there, which in my opinion is the pick of the bunch, this being reflected in housing prices of course. I still go back there several times a year and it always strikes me when I go back how much the place has grown and is still growing.... there used to be about one pub and that was it when I ws growing up, now there's about 4 or 5 and cafes for Africa. It's a good mix of small town (12,000 ish) within spitting distance to two major (by NZ standards) cities. The people are generally friendly, although in my experience the standard of driving is shocking. The climate is probably THE nicest in NZ along with Marlborough (you can't have a Wine industry if your climate isn't near-perfect) and with a couple of major companies reinvesting in the area (Heinz/Watties, Montana etc), it's really brought the area back to life after about 15 years of decline after most of the major meatworks there shut down, crippling the local economy.
I suggest you go back there and take the time to go out to Ocean Beach, Waimarama and Clifton beaches down there, they're pretty much the archetypal kiwi beach, and wonderful mid-summer.
If there's anything you want to know about the area or anything I can help ya with, just get in touch mate, always happy to help. My folks are still living there and know a LOT of the local community so I'm probably not a bad source of info.
Personally I can't wait for my next visit, going down labour weekend after my folks are back from the UK.
My partner wants to end up in Napier eventually as well. George where are the Maori gangs located on the East coast? I heard they have sites down there and your not allowed to visit some beaches without being threatened by the local iwi? That would make me angry. I hope its not that bad and just rumours.
Hey Kylie, Well as long as you stay out of Flaxmere and Camberly areas in Hastings and some of the smaller rural communities, like Fernill etc, where there are gang HQs, the rest of it is pretty benign. As for restricted beach/land accesses, around the Napier/Hastings area there's not a heck of a lot as far as I know.... further south in Central Hawkes Bay around Waipukurau/Waipawa I believe they've had trouble with that sort of thing and up on the east cape up around Gisborne with Wairoa proabably being a place to avoid (last time I visited there, just driving down the street it seems that about 60% of the town are patched gang members) But the Napier/Hastings area is the nicest anyway and there's MILES of coastline that (last time I checked) is free to explore to your heart's content..... Napier is lovely and Hastings is becoming a lot better than it has been for the last couple of decades.... Havelock North and Taradale are lovely.... and yeah there's some great driving roads around there (try the Waimarama road sometime in a Lotus, bound to put a smile on your face).
And Jamie.... first customer? :P I'd love to be a patron at your new inn, although as far as accommodation goes I've got it sorted, folks new place is a palace, heated pool, spa, lots of garage space and their own private road...... just the thing for a quick squit in a car that hasn't been certified yet
And Jamie.... first customer? :P I'd love to be a patron at your new inn, although as far as accommodation goes I've got it sorted, folks new place is a palace, heated pool, spa, lots of garage space and their own private road...... just the thing for a quick squit in a car that hasn't been certified yet
I too will sample some of Jaimies local wines if he stocks them against his finest beers 
If you do go to the Hawkes Bay then I think as far as a business goes a pub/BnB would be the way to go- unfortunately too many millionaires have gotten into the wine making, vineyard owning and real estate playing game in this country to make that a worthwhile proposition. Vineyard prices are well over $500,000 per hectare (actually pushing 1 million!) and the returns are minimal.
But as far as living goes, its a neat area with great climate and beahces. A slight issue is the remoteness, especially from formal motorsport arenas (I think?) but if you got to know the back roads I'm sure you'd be fine. It would certainly make a pleasant change of lifestyle from what you're used to in Auckland. Although you may be tempted to keep the Chimaera for those sunny days....
But as far as living goes, its a neat area with great climate and beahces. A slight issue is the remoteness, especially from formal motorsport arenas (I think?) but if you got to know the back roads I'm sure you'd be fine. It would certainly make a pleasant change of lifestyle from what you're used to in Auckland. Although you may be tempted to keep the Chimaera for those sunny days....
To reopen an old thread, I've been thinking the same of buying a B&B. If I get redundancy then I'm looking at new things towards the end of this year but I've found this now... www.realenz.co.nz/comm/searchdetails.cfm?CurrentRow=1&SD=
Looks good but too early timewise for me, but is this the sort of place to keep a look out for?
Mark
Oh, and can I bring my wedge?
Looks good but too early timewise for me, but is this the sort of place to keep a look out for?
Mark
Oh, and can I bring my wedge?
I can't see the link because of my security settings for some reason... some details would be useful if you can cut/paste.
As for the wedge, I think it'll be allowed in if it's over 20 (or is it 25) years old. Check www.ltsa.govt.nz site for regulations... if it's newer than that, then no.
As for the wedge, I think it'll be allowed in if it's over 20 (or is it 25) years old. Check www.ltsa.govt.nz site for regulations... if it's newer than that, then no.
Esprit said:
I can't see the link because of my security settings for some reason... some details would be useful if you can cut/paste.
As for the wedge, I think it'll be allowed in if it's over 20 (or is it 25) years old. Check www.ltsa.govt.nz site for regulations... if it's newer than that, then no.
I checked the link before I posted but now it doesn't work today due to cookies. Computers
The info is:#839403 - Hastings - $ 990,000 Excl GST Excl SAV
IN THE HEART OF THE WINE COUNTRY
The Clansman Motor Lodge, set in attractive gardens with room to expand further, is located in close proximity to the Hastings Racecourse, the Indoor Stadium and ideally situated for those visits to the wineries. There is the pool with BBQ area. The 10 units are tastefully furnished and include telephone, television, video players. The motel is licensed and has British-style bar / lounge where guests may entertain their visitors and friends. This motel is easily run by a couple as a lifestlye and is priced as a freehold going concern.
And a website of the business is
www.hastings-motels.net.nz/clansman_motel.htm
As for the car, its 20 this year, about the same time as I need a new direction in life.
Is NZ ready for another pom with a Kiwi girlfriend? Should I be considering leaving UK?? Any poms miss the UK?
Mark
We get these kind of questions quite a bit Mark. Yeah, I miss the UK constantly but a lot of that has to do with family and friends - it's a long way to pop back for the weekend!
There are a couple of issues that annoy me in NZ but they are balanced by the pluses.
My advice to you is not to jump into anything but come over for an extended holiday. If you get made redundant then that is an excellent time to do it. If you are bringing over some decent wedge (if you'll pardon the pun) then you need to consider carefully what you want out of NZ and what you want to do with your life. For instance, with a few hundred thousand pounds you can seriously consider living in a smaller town (i.e. not Auckland or Wellington) and retiring!
Check out the visa situation too as the entry requirements change like the weather!
There are a couple of issues that annoy me in NZ but they are balanced by the pluses.
My advice to you is not to jump into anything but come over for an extended holiday. If you get made redundant then that is an excellent time to do it. If you are bringing over some decent wedge (if you'll pardon the pun) then you need to consider carefully what you want out of NZ and what you want to do with your life. For instance, with a few hundred thousand pounds you can seriously consider living in a smaller town (i.e. not Auckland or Wellington) and retiring!
Check out the visa situation too as the entry requirements change like the weather!
Well that doesn't sound like too bad a deal... all relies on what it's actually like of course.
I'm from down that way and have lived most of my life there so know the area well. It's traditionally not a great position there, but things have changed a lot recently and prices have gone crazy... areas that before weren't flash are suddenly making top dollar.
Certainly worth doing what Jamie said and coming out here to do some investigation. As a place to live I can CERTAINLY vote for Hawkes Bay as I love it there... spent my Chrimbo holidays there and just spent so much time relaxing in the peace and quiet thinking how wonderful it was... mind you, my folks' new house is basically a palace in a million-dollar position, so I WAS spoiled.
you've done the sightseeing holiday, perhaps it's time to do the "looking seriously at moving over" holiday. My father's just employed a Briton who's just come over... they went from first thinking about coming out to NZ to landing here within a couple of months, for them it was a quick change!
Like Jamie said... it's NOT a paradise, there ARE cons to living here but it's certainly a different lifestyle to what the UK has become.... and despite its drawbacks (which ARE significant) it's still a wonderful place to live... certainly in places like the Hawkes Bay.
I'm from down that way and have lived most of my life there so know the area well. It's traditionally not a great position there, but things have changed a lot recently and prices have gone crazy... areas that before weren't flash are suddenly making top dollar.
Certainly worth doing what Jamie said and coming out here to do some investigation. As a place to live I can CERTAINLY vote for Hawkes Bay as I love it there... spent my Chrimbo holidays there and just spent so much time relaxing in the peace and quiet thinking how wonderful it was... mind you, my folks' new house is basically a palace in a million-dollar position, so I WAS spoiled.
you've done the sightseeing holiday, perhaps it's time to do the "looking seriously at moving over" holiday. My father's just employed a Briton who's just come over... they went from first thinking about coming out to NZ to landing here within a couple of months, for them it was a quick change!
Like Jamie said... it's NOT a paradise, there ARE cons to living here but it's certainly a different lifestyle to what the UK has become.... and despite its drawbacks (which ARE significant) it's still a wonderful place to live... certainly in places like the Hawkes Bay.
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