The decision to move to Wanganui actually came out of the Zombie Town kerfuffle.
Chris and I watched it because I am always intrigued at how people perceive my home town.
I have fond memories of growing up there. However, know it is not as bustling and lively as those good old days when things were not so outsourced. I could not believe what was said and to prove to Chris that Wanganui is not dying, nor as bad as they made out, I let my fingers do the walking and looked at demographic and statistical information in the region ... what we discovered was more shocking. Wanganui is one of the most affordable places to live! Food is cheaper, petrol, housing, everything. And incomes were not as meagre as we had been led to believe.
Beaches and bush walks, parks and houses with flat sections looked idyllic. In fact the more we looked, the shinier the prospects of packing up and moving north became. This was a huge step for my husband who had never lived in a "small town".
We began to take steps to move - I started to apply for jobs, we put our house on the market and began to pack. I had absolutely no luck in even getting a response to my applications so I decided to bite the bullet - quit my job and move to Wanganui in the hopes once I was there, it would be easier to find a job. Once I had a job Chris would follow me. Well a month later, 30+ job applications, and no interviews - in fact out of the 30 applications I only had five people say no thank you (that's another story).
So I broadened my net and began to apply in Palmerston North (not ideal). I applied for two jobs and was successful with both of them (I only took one though). Six months later my husband finally got a job and joined me.
The highlights of our new life is the space, peace and convenience. We no longer have to plan an hour ahead to go somewhere, nor waste half a tank of gas to find a park ... or spend a small fortune to park the car. Most things are even walking distance!
The downside is that we are having trouble with social groups. Being child-free and not religious means it is harder for us to find socialise - most of the clubs and groups we have seen advertised are either no interest to us, on during work hours and aimed at more of a "sunset of life" audience. While people here are friendly and so polite - I mean men actually hold the door open for me, or let me into an elevator first. In Wellington it's all men, women and children for themselves! As soon as those doors open it is like releasing Augustus Gloop into a candy store.
In Wanganui there is a slight hesitance towards newcomers - we have made acquaintances where we can say 'hi" to and stop for a chat in the street - but are yet to broach into the "let's hang out" phase.
It has not been an easy transition. Since moving we have had our dog die and our cat was killed on the road. We have not been able to sell our house in Porirua - and I am still having to commute two hours a day for work.
However, we are more relaxed. We can get so much done on the weekend and have a large flat section that we can actually sit in and enjoy, without being blown away. There are times when I say OMG what have we done - but then I go curl up in my garden with a good book and think ... ahh yes this is why!
NEW IN TOWN?
If you have moved to Wanganui to live, or returned, please get in contact with the Chronicle and we would like to tell your story. Email anna.wallis@wanganuichronicle.co.nz or phone 06 3490728
