Hi, I'm new here

Hi!

My wife and I are getting ready to move to NZ later this year, with the intention of picking up something in the 3-5 ha range probably in the Paremoremo/Coatesville/Albany areas. We are so excited about making the move. I grew up on a 800 head dairy farm with 1,200 acres with our own streams, mountains and pond in Pennasylvania (USA) in the heart of Amish/Mennonite/PA Dutch country and I miss it.

We are in our mid 30's with a baby on the way (hopefully the first of 3-5) and we are really looking forward to having our own little farm. We don't know what animals just yet... she is from Philadelphia but grew up in California and outside of the dogs, cats and parakeets, this is all new to her. It's going to be new to me as well because I haven't worked in this capacity for 15+years.

But eventually we would like to have some sheep, maybe a heifer or two, maybe some horses - really this is me as I miss riding and honestly 12-20 acres is a good bit of land, some sheep, some goats, some chooks and some some fat farm cats.

We also want to plant a small garden and have a couple of fruit trees. It's alot but our plan is to start off small and work our way up into what we find comfortable. We also look to resources like this to really help out as well and because of that look to see more postings from us as we get closer to the move date and once we are finally there.

The one question I have is where are the best areas for a LSB? We have been to NZ a number of times and we like the Rodney District... but we are also open to different recomendations as well for it's better to go someplace with a support network already in place than to trailblase in area that we don't know.

Hi Everybody!

My name is Dan and my wife, Nikki, we are moving to New Zealand later this year. We have a baby on the way, our first of what will eventually be 3-5 and we are so excited about moving. We love New Zealand and we really are looking forward to getting a nice section and expanding out. I grew up on a 800 head dairy farm with 1,200 acres in Pennasylvania Dutch Country (Amish) and I miss it. While my wife doesn't have any paticular experience with a farm or LSB, she is a hard worker, doesn't mind getting dirty and absolutely love animals.

We are still waiting for our immigration stuff to come back from NZIS... we have a bit of money and are coming in under the Active Investor 2 catergory... we have no business experience but we can meet the financial obligatory guidelines so it is just a matter of wait and see. When we had our interview with our CO we told him just this and he seemed fine with it. Our goal is to get our visa back by May and once we get that cleared we have our eyes on a couple of really nice places that we hope are still available in the upcoming months.

This website is really a godsend for us. We are new to this... while I was born and raised on a dairy farm, 15+ years have passed and I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I don't know where to buy feed, where to get stock from, what vets to use, etc. And topping it all is we are going to be in a different country to boot.

But overall we are looking to build slowly, with the goal being children, chooks, dogs & cats, a couple of horses, maybe some heifers, definately some sheep and maybe a little billy goat or two. I just wanted to really say hi and that we will appreciate all the help we can get.

I do have one question though. While we are looking at the Coatesville area & surrounds, what areas would the more experienced Lifestyler's recommend? We want to approach this the smart way and we would like to go to an area where there is an established community of Lifestylers. That way we know that there is already a support network in place, whether its feed stores, vets, etc.

Thanks everybody!

Dan

P.S. I posted a very similar thread that didn't seem to take but if it did I apologise for the duplication.

Welcome folks!
I take it you have been looking at places via the internet before you make the move?
If so, you will be aware of the prices in the areas you have mentioned. If they seem expensive and you want to be in reasonable distance to Auckland then also try widening your search to Auckland South/Franklin areas where there is still some good value in blocks of land to be had. Albany and Rodney are nice for sure but have seen major increases in property values in the last 10 years, good news for those already living there. You will not be 'trail blazing' at all in those areas you mentioned.
www.trademe.co.nz has some private sales not found on real estate websites if your not already looking there. Plus the classified section of this website has a few places up for sale from time to time.

I believe there is no good or bad place to buy. The same things apply no matter where you buy- like water, terrain, neighbours, access etc.
Anywhere within an hour commute to Auckland will be a good investment. Get a good lawyer on your side early too, so they can check out what your interested in before the heart takes over. NZ has a few unique things re; property law, covenants, and land usage so a good person in this field will be valuable.

A lifestyle block, a bunch of animals and a blossoming family of your own in glorious New Zealand- your going to live the dream

All the best to you

Hi Westie,

Yes, we are looking at Realestate.co.nz & Premium.co.nz (our realtor is with Premium) and yes, I've noticed the price... it's not what I would like but the missus has her eye set on this property:

www.premium.co.nz/21077/

And I would like to see this one:
www.premium.co.nz/7792/

We've never really investigated south Auckland. When we thought of going south, it has always been to areas like Cambridge or possibly east to the Pyes Pa area. We'll have to check it out.

Waikato's good

tigger;305854 wrote: Waikato's good

Too right it is!

Dan,
Your lady has good taste, the first property is beautiful as is the second one.
When they say 25mins from Auckland CBD add 15 mins to that to get realistic and double it + some for rush hour 7.30 am-9am, 3.30pm-6.30pm.

The second property (being an ex house painter) screams high maintenance. Weatherboard houses with wooden multi sash windows of that age means paint job every 6-8 years and washing it twice a year to get that frequency. But it is really lovely too
There is a neighbour very close by if your after privacy, and I would look closely at the back yard to see if there is flooding tide marks. The Riverhead River seldom has any major problems though because it emptys out into the harbour nearby. When the tide is out the views will be mudflats, not that there is anything wrong with that but the pictures are at high tide in case you were wondering.

I have lived in Coatesville and it is a great place but I worked in nearby Whenuapai so commuting was not really an issue for me.

There were no prices that I could see, just as well, I'm jelous already[]

Edit; I should point out homes from 1982-ish to about 1999 should be carefully inspected by an expert, we had some leaking problems during that period, resloved by 2000- or so they say.

wow i love the first property absolutely stunning!

tigger;305854 wrote: Waikato's good

So's Otago []

Hello and good luck with your big move.

Just a word on acres/hectares: 3-5 ha isn't 12-20 acres. Conversion is 1:2.5 approx so 4ha is 10 acres, more or less. NZ still seems to be in a transitional phase with both measures in common usage.

Edit: You might also want to check out the Supercity plans. I have a feeling Rodney is one of the councils where some parts will be in and others will be out of the new Auckland, which might have implications for future development and property prices. Rodney-ites on here - please correct this if I'm wrong.

Welcome Dan and wife,
I'm with jan loved the first property best, but both look high maintainance as regards the extensive gardens, I'm betting both properties have a part time gardener.
Tess

Jan;305991 wrote: wow i love the first property absolutely stunning!

gemini kiwi;306150 wrote: Welcome Dan and wife,
I'm with jan loved the first property best, but both look high maintainance as regards the extensive gardens, I'm betting both properties have a part time gardener.
Tess

Thank you. We are retiring so the gardens are something I am looking forward to actually.

And I have read over the supercity plans and their is nothing about going all way out to Coatesville. I'm interested in how these super city plans turn out though.