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Which city is the best place to live in for work and for a first time move to New Zealand North Island?

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Mscastorina1986

3/17/2017 23:44 EST

Hi Everyone! ??
My name is Melanie. I am originally from Melbourne Australia and have recently returned home from an amazing holiday to the South Island of New Zealand. I have absolutely fallen in love with this beautiful country and seriously thinking about moving to the North Island of NZ in 6 months time. I would love to live in NZ for at least 6 months.
In terms of work and finding a place to rent in a share house, which city on the North Island is the best and most affordable for first time Australian travellers to live and work in?
Any suggestions and advice would be much appreciated. Thank you ????

DutchKiwiNZ

3/24/2017 11:12 EST

Hi Melanie
Affordability is a bit of an issue when considering living in Auckland, NZ, but as the country's largest city is will offer the best employment opportunities plus you have easy access to beach / bush / eating out & nightlife. However, outside of the major cities, I hear New Plymouth is now a cool little city/ large town with access to everything you might need. Well worth checking it out. Good luck!

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Mscastorina1986

3/27/2017 06:58 EST

Hello there! Thanks so much for your reply and for your information DutchKiwiNZ :)
I have heard Auckland is quite an expensive city to live in and heard its a little more expensive than Melbourne, Australia where I come from. However I will definitely look into nearby towns which are close to Auckland but not right in the CBD to rent in an affordable share house so I can find employment and travel to work easily public transport. Can you recommend any other great nearby towns I should research to live in which are close to Auckland? Is New Plymouth quite close to Auckland? I would greatly appreciate any other advice you may have about my questions.
Thank you :)

DutchKiwiNZ

3/27/2017 08:50 EST

New Plymouth is not near Auckland. Sorry. Towns near Auckland - Warkworth, Te Kauwhata, Helensville. They are one hour's drive from Auckland City.

If you really want to be near Auckland then consider the North Shore in Auckland - close to beaches & easy commute to the city. Devonport, Takapuna, Milford, Albany are the main town Centres on the North Shore. Good Luck!

Mscastorina1986

4/1/2017 19:52 EST

Thank you so much for your information! I greatly appreciate it and it's such a great help to give me a starting point to research an ideal place to move to and live in NZ :)

rjdibert

8/17/2017 02:10 EST

Hi really depends on what you deem "affordable" and what field you are in. Whanganui is a great little city on the west coast with the most moderate climate in NZ(and possibly the world) and some of the least expensive housing in the North Island. Great art community, museums, coffee culture and wonderful River. ck out the city's web site: Things To Do | Wanganui Online.com Tourist and Local News
www.wanganuionline.com/things-to-do
Things To Do. Wanganui has an ideal location on the banks of the Whanganui River, spreading through a green valley to the shores of the Tasman Sea, ...
Top things to do in Whanganui, New Zealand - Lonely Planet
https://www.lonelyplanet.com › Australia & Pacific › New Zealand › Whanganui
Discover the best top things to do in Whanganui including Waimarie Centre, Sarjeant on the Quay, Yellow House Café

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Imadork

10/12/2017 02:24 EST

Recently took the Northern Explorer Train from Auckland to Wellington! Got to see the beauty of the North Island on a leisurely 12 hour exploration! Homes in these 2 cities purportedly average close to 1 Million NZ$ so housing is expensive! We liked Picton as a small little city which is the stop for the Interislander Ferry to the South Island! Quaint small city!

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