Nowt like free advertising!!

[Jodie]

:icon_lol:

That's about the strength of it, Nonie! It was really interesting watching the footy yesterday - not because of the skill involved, but because of the stupid mistakes they were making! Like when the keeper threw the ball out to one of his players who wasn't really ready, and he kind of ran over the top if the ball, stumbled a bit and the other team nearly sored cos of it! And their mascot was really imaginative - Striker - a guy in the Wellington kit with a ball on his head with 2 eye-hole cut out!

It was pretty entertaining, anyway!

Jod

Hi milliemoo,
The new housing developments dont seem to include any kind of shopping facilities. I've had a drive round them looking, but dont see anything remotely commercial.

They are very much like satellite communities, only they dont have the self-containment that the true satellite communities have. No shops, no pubs/restaurants etc.

I would think it also depends on what you would consider a resonable distance to be classed as walking distance. Most of these places are only a few minutes by car, so I would estimate it would be a 20 - 30 minute walk for the farthest houses.

Its funny really, there are lots of houses in these estates, but even though your neighbour is only a few yards away, they feel incredibly cut off and remote. It's nice and peaceful, and incredibly relaxed, but i think if you were a house wife/husband, coming from abroad, you would feel very lonely there and probably suffer badly with homesickness.

Where I live now, there are a few shops and a bar etc nearby, and you feel a little more in the throws of things, but to be honest i've not seen a single one of my neighbours since i've got here!

I wouldnt begin to say that this is what its like anywhere else, and i've not exactly been throwing myself in to pubs and clubs to meet people, so I expect things will pick up soon.

[jamesthecarman]

Taffy,

Where are you and how long have you been here? I'm about to head out on a looong drive, may come and try to find ya!

[jamesthecarman]

Found Tauranga on the wises.co.nz site. I may drive out that way on the way down to Wellington. You can find my contact details on my site (under contact)

Hi mate, yes, I'm in Tauranga.. its a good 2 hours from Aucks, but a very worth while drive.. stunning scenery!

when are you heading out? I'll get in touch so we can meet up...

[jamesthecarman]

Plans are early right now. Could be Wednesday or early Thursday.

Read:
http://movetonz.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271

Post a note on here when plans are final and we'll see what we can arrange!