Auckland, NZ ... Please help. Promise a ten point

Question

I am traveling to Auckland, NZ with my BF. We do not know anybody or any place in NZ.

We are looking for a good suburb with relatively safe environment with a nice night life (so we can go out at nights and not be afraid of criminals). However, our budget is not huge and we want a economically cheap place as well.

So a middle class area with alive nights and cheap accommodation that is safe for a couple to spend a week or so.

Also please give me more information about the transportation system. I want to be able to get around.

And lastly, what are the plans for the new years? Any fireworks in Auckland?

Thanks a lot. I am coming from USA, about 23ish years old. Please tell me all you know

Answer 1

Coming from wellington, I can't help you too much! But I'm going to Auckland for a holiday in October, and found http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservati... really helpfull to find my Accomodation!

As for transport, I'm not too sure. Taxis should be pretty easy to find, Auckland Co-op taxi's are the safest ones to go with in Auckland too. Or if your budget is more for buses, then go to http://www.stagecoach.co.nz/auckland/ and check out the routes and times that match where your staying when you figure that out.

Goodluck, and hope you have an awesome time in NZ! Come check out Wellington some time too, that way I could be of more help!

Answer 2

im not sure where a good place is but check avondale out. whatever you do DO NOT move to South Auckland,

dont listen to 'Pagrus', probably some religious nut

Answer 3

2 things to do - go to a rugby game; Aukland has a team, and it's about as NZ as you get. Get there early to see the haka. Games are cheap, and you can take a city bus right to the stadium. Have fish and chips (the ketchup's different) and a Tui beer.

Also, this isn't particularly cheap, but so awesome! You can sail on an America's Cup yacht! They'll let you steer and stuff.

Best beer in NZ - Monteith's (they don't export it, so drink all you can!)

Aukland is VERY SAFE. You should be fine pretty much everywhere.

Answer 4

I highly recommend staying on the North Shore - it has some great local bars in suburbs such as Albany or Takapuna. Takapuna is quite close to the CBD (prob just about a 5-10minute drive from the CBD) however Albany is quite some distance from the city. Still very easy to get around as theres are new bus lanes that have just been built. The website for costings and timetables is: www.maxx.co.nz. Takapuna has great little cafes, a shopping mall (although it is on the smaller scale), nice beach and easily accessible - have a look on www.takapunabeach.co.nz. On Thursday through to Sat the bars are quite good, depending on what type of music you're into otherwise it'd be about at $20 (i used to negotiate $10) taxi ride into town where theres still plenty of nightlife!

I would say avoid going South or West of Auckland ... there are better and nicer places to stay in Auckland!

For New Years yes there are Fireworks but they're quite lame compared to what you guys get in the USA. For a Tourist I would again recommend to go into Town and experience it in there - you'd have to go quite early so then you get a good place! I havent been there during New Years but I've heard that it's pretty chocca block coming up to the Countdown!

Otherwise have a look at: http://www.aucklandnz.com for more info!

Answer 5

We do usually have fireworks in the city at New Year. No rugby at that time of the year being mid summer!

Have a look at http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com/au... for information on things to do. You will see details on the Auckland Explorer bus. This is a special bus where you get on and off at interesting destinations.There is also the link bus around the city.

There are several backpackers in the central city.Type in Auckland backpackers and a list with a small map will come up.

So long as you are sensible, these areas should be safe. The central city has quite a lot of activity.There are ferries to the North Shore from down town, and trains to some areas from the same location.

So a backpackers near the bottom end of Queen Street  would be good.

Answer 6

All suburbs of Auckland are relatively safe. Just be aware and don't do anything that you wouldn't do at home.

South Auckland is a different city, correctly named Manukau, and that's a different story as far as safety goes.

Hey, NZ is a safe place overall, and not much happens here. We are such a small country that when anything does happen as regards rapes, burglaries, murders, car chases etc, they are made into headline news because there is very little else to fill the front page of the papers with.

Most overseas countries have a greater crime rate than NZ's, but it is not publicised as much.

If you live in the 'burbs of Auckland, you will have to travel to the night life. Not much happens in the residential areas. Nearly all activity is in Auckland Central.

Public transport is train (for a few suburbs) and buses. The main roads are more or less blocked by traffic congestion during the hours of 7 to 9.30 am and 4 to 6.30 pm. Well, not quite blocked, but traffic moves very slowly.

For cheap hotel/motel rates check www.wotif.co.nz (or it may be dotcom), but you won't have too much difficulty in renting a house at a fair rent.

Answer 7

Be very careful the lawlessness and extreme violence in NZ is very real.

Just look on the local www.yahoo.co.nz site and you will see daily abductions, bashings, rapes, murders, robberies etc, etc, etc.

NZ is portrayed as a safe country but it is not, please have a look at the NZ news websites they are horific.

I would consider another safer country

A concerned Kiwi

Answer 8

I live in manukau and its fine, its only red necks who live closer to town that think otherwise.

Little pimple faced reporters who have never lived in South Auckland are the first to comment on what its like here.

If your coming from the States you have noting to worry about, its just as safe as your own country if not more.