Life in Devonport

Wow, I can't believe we have been here now for over four months!  So where to start?!  The headlines first:

• We received our residence visa a few weeks back.  The next step is for us to apply for a permanent residency visa after 2 years on receiving our residence visa
• PwC has created a new role for me so I've now also got a a permanent job

This means we don't have to leave the country now after my 12 month work visa expires.  We can now relax and can go ahead and commit to buying a house.

I thought I'd share with you today a little bit of our life here in our first home in Devonport.  Our small rental is on a site that used to have a big house, but it was demolished and five smaller houses now replace it.  Our house is the third one.  Only one of neighbours are Kiwis - one are Aussies and the rest are British!  This is typical as Devonport is made up of over 70% of Europeans.

Our rental home with our bright red rental car outside it

Palm trees in our garden

Flowers outside the front door

The back courtyard (no grass for Lulu!)

Even though Devonport is so close to the city centre, it feels like a sleepy seaside town.  It has lots of history, housing is mainly protected quaint Victorian villas and there is a strong community spirit.  There is always something going on - local runs, art fairs, jazz festivals, Beagle owner dog walks (yes, really!) and a Spanish class group and local au pairs meet up weekly in the local cafe. There are quite a lot of galleries, second-hand bookshops, boutiques, parks and four beaches.  No big high street brands here - so refreshing!  Below are a few photos on our regular walks around town.

Victoria Road, the main thoroughfare

The Esplanade Hotel

More Victoria Road shops

Winsdsor Reserve with Art Deco style public toilets

Devonport Beach and walk along the front

Bette's one of our favourite bar restaurants and the old post office in background

Devonport is directly across the water from the CBD (Central Business District) and my office and it's been fantastic to have a 20 minute commute.  I love taking the ferry to work, especially when the sun is out.  One morning we had a group of orcas splashing around in the water.  It was so amazing to see!  There has also been a seal sunbathing at the CBD ferry terminal.

Devonport Ferry Terminal

Ferry docked at the terminal

View of the Central Business District right across the water from Devonport

Every day we also walk past the new Devonport Library which is a very impressive building.  We have used it quite a few times (especially as books are so expensive to buy here!) and it's always busy.  They have lots of little nooks with people of all ages sitting around.  There is even a teenagers area which always has kids on the weekend sitting around on the bean bags, reading away.  Not a PS2 in sight!

Outside Devonport Library

Outside and inside Devonport Library

Okay, that is a small window in our lives at the moment.  Steve, Lulu and I are having an amazing time time in Devonport.  We originally thought we could live here, but property is very expensive and there is only one road out of it so the traffic is appalling, easily adding an extra half hour to a five minute journey.  We'll be sad to leave when we eventually buy our new home.

Well, I'll leave it at that for now.  I'll will again soon to share more of our life in Devonport.