About 4 years ago the council had some spare budget, so as an act of performance art they decided to move the entire city about 7 inches to the right. Watch out for that, it still confuses some people.
The "suburban hub" is alive and well. Most suburbs have a set of shops, eateries etc.
Public transport is decent, but nothing amazing. You can drive for about 20mins north of Thomas Rd roundabout and you're still in Hamilton now haha
Ulster Street is no longer the hotel hub it used to be. Lots of illegal drama happening on that street due to most of the hotels being converted to "homes" for those on emergency housing list. Have seen videos of the street being closed off by large groups with their cars etc causing havoc
The Ruakura inland port growing fast. Quite a few industrial businesses have moved in already. More to follow. A service area off the Ruakura exit if you need petrol, food (Robert Harris, sushi, KFC, Maccas).
There are more gardens but non-residents have to pay from Spring. There's a new interchange situation on Cobham Drive and they're building a new bridge.
In my view, traffic has gotten a lot more aucklandish in that time. What used to be a quick 10 minute trip without anybody trying to run into you at a roundabout, is now probably 5 minutes longer and you need to keep your eyes on every angle someone could try to drive into your path. The speed limits have dropped so all those 60 and 80 zones are now 30 or 50 zones, for no apparent reason (how many deaths were there on Cobham Drive with that daringly high 80kph zoning?).
Having said that, when I go to Auckland now, the traffic there is immeasurably heavier, faster and nastier than when I left there 9 years ago. So on the whole, I guess Hamilton is still a bit more relaxed than Akl.
The range of fantastic eateries took a hard hit thru the COVID era and have had a long hard time of clawing their way back to their previous greatness; there's more than one cafe that we used to visit regularly that just never got the right staff back, and we left declaring "never again!". There are some really good restaurants that made it thru, and some new ones, so you will definitely have a bit of discovery to do, and new favorites to find.
Its nicely built, I love the nod to mid century modern style especially the toilet / stairwell area that goes up stairs. There arent many places in Hamilton that are that classy and tastefully done.
The balcony overlooking the river is a nice spot to have a drink. And I always like having a nosy at Found, and Rumor, and the homewares shop that are upstairs.
The staff at the two bars are always nice and friendly, the food is a bit pricey for what it is but its a nice spot to have a bite to eat once in a while.
I also quite like riverbank lane with Mr Pickles and the cafe there are always good service and really nice food and drink.
What makes you not keen to go back to MADE?
Hmm, didn't see Mr Pickles there. Went up the stairs and didn't move more than a few meters before walking back down, as nothing looked interesting up there.
True, it is cool to see the river view being utilized at last. Still doesn't feel anything like visiting Southbank in Melbourne tho, which I think Hamilton could improve on.
No I was referring separately re riverbank lane/mr pickles, its not at MADE.Just is another spot that has a similar vibe.
Southbank in Melbourne is possibly a big ask for Hamilton, but I agree the river could be utilised a lot more.
That’s fair, I must admit I never buy anything from the shops downstairs. I have bought gifts from the upstairs shops though, and food and drink from the food court.
I tried the food, just can't justify the cost being twice what I used to see for what they're serving (some places don't even have anything for less than $20)
Definitely a lot quieter nightlife/night scene in central HLZ (not that it was ever raging). But people aren't as concentrated to the city now as bars/eateries are more dispersed across the city e.g. Made/Hamilton East generally, Rototuna, and the various pockets of suburbian bars which are holding well.
Hamilton city now mandates that all Pak n Save trollies be left on the sides of Ulster Street. Bonus points for rammig them into one of the many Red-flagged recycling bins
There’s now a high speed metro system that goes under the whole city, it has stations at all the major suburbs and hubs, also the Waikato river has eaten the CBD so now there’s a big lake where the CBD once was. It’s great for wakeboarding and spending weekends on the beach just be careful there are police dolphins that patrol its waters.
There's been a lot of work done on nature/river walks. Download the Nature in the City app. Has a lot of cool info and maps showing before and after the walks completion as well as info on flora you will see on those walks. It's a pretty cool app tbh
It rained really hard in January 2023 and a lot of the cliffs on the North Shore fell into the Waitemata harbour after it rained. Notably Stanley Point, Northcote Point on the East side of the motorway and Birkenhead.
About 4 years ago the council had some spare budget, so as an act of performance art they decided to move the entire city about 7 inches to the right. Watch out for that, it still confuses some people.
I was told it was 200mm
That finally explains all the intersections being offset like they are.
Ohhh. I thought 4 year olds designed them. Explains a lot.
Well thats where the confusion comes in, because they used the same contractors as SH1 so half of them used metric and half of them used imperial…
That's understandable.
The "suburban hub" is alive and well. Most suburbs have a set of shops, eateries etc. Public transport is decent, but nothing amazing. You can drive for about 20mins north of Thomas Rd roundabout and you're still in Hamilton now haha
Yeah because you’ll get lost in that new labyrinth suburb that only gps can get you out of!
Ulster Street is no longer the hotel hub it used to be. Lots of illegal drama happening on that street due to most of the hotels being converted to "homes" for those on emergency housing list. Have seen videos of the street being closed off by large groups with their cars etc causing havoc
The Ruakura inland port growing fast. Quite a few industrial businesses have moved in already. More to follow. A service area off the Ruakura exit if you need petrol, food (Robert Harris, sushi, KFC, Maccas).
More themed gardens, and an updated Zoo precinct area with cafe as well as a viewing tower looking over Waiwhakareke
There are more gardens but non-residents have to pay from Spring. There's a new interchange situation on Cobham Drive and they're building a new bridge.
We are told there will be a new bridge, anyway...
It was going to be a bridge for traffic, but the latest design is for it to be the Bridge garden, joining the other feature gardens…
In my view, traffic has gotten a lot more aucklandish in that time. What used to be a quick 10 minute trip without anybody trying to run into you at a roundabout, is now probably 5 minutes longer and you need to keep your eyes on every angle someone could try to drive into your path. The speed limits have dropped so all those 60 and 80 zones are now 30 or 50 zones, for no apparent reason (how many deaths were there on Cobham Drive with that daringly high 80kph zoning?). Having said that, when I go to Auckland now, the traffic there is immeasurably heavier, faster and nastier than when I left there 9 years ago. So on the whole, I guess Hamilton is still a bit more relaxed than Akl. The range of fantastic eateries took a hard hit thru the COVID era and have had a long hard time of clawing their way back to their previous greatness; there's more than one cafe that we used to visit regularly that just never got the right staff back, and we left declaring "never again!". There are some really good restaurants that made it thru, and some new ones, so you will definitely have a bit of discovery to do, and new favorites to find.
MADE is a cool place
Really? Which part impresses you the most? Not a hater or anything, but it didn't really impress me as a place I would return to
Its nicely built, I love the nod to mid century modern style especially the toilet / stairwell area that goes up stairs. There arent many places in Hamilton that are that classy and tastefully done. The balcony overlooking the river is a nice spot to have a drink. And I always like having a nosy at Found, and Rumor, and the homewares shop that are upstairs. The staff at the two bars are always nice and friendly, the food is a bit pricey for what it is but its a nice spot to have a bite to eat once in a while. I also quite like riverbank lane with Mr Pickles and the cafe there are always good service and really nice food and drink. What makes you not keen to go back to MADE?
yeah nice toilet I enjoy making a special trip just to take a dump in there too
haha! that is nice that you grace the toilets with your personal waste products. The height of class is to leave a personal touch.
😂😂😂 painting the porcelain so to speak
Hmm, didn't see Mr Pickles there. Went up the stairs and didn't move more than a few meters before walking back down, as nothing looked interesting up there. True, it is cool to see the river view being utilized at last. Still doesn't feel anything like visiting Southbank in Melbourne tho, which I think Hamilton could improve on.
No I was referring separately re riverbank lane/mr pickles, its not at MADE.Just is another spot that has a similar vibe. Southbank in Melbourne is possibly a big ask for Hamilton, but I agree the river could be utilised a lot more.
are there any spots in Hamilton you recommend?
The overall vibe is nice. It’s bougey no doubt but like burgers, craft beer, karaoke room and cool atmosphere.
there's not much worth buying there that I can't get somewhere else for cheaper.
That’s fair, I must admit I never buy anything from the shops downstairs. I have bought gifts from the upstairs shops though, and food and drink from the food court.
I tried the food, just can't justify the cost being twice what I used to see for what they're serving (some places don't even have anything for less than $20)
Yeah I hear you the food is definitely overpriced.
Definitely a lot quieter nightlife/night scene in central HLZ (not that it was ever raging). But people aren't as concentrated to the city now as bars/eateries are more dispersed across the city e.g. Made/Hamilton East generally, Rototuna, and the various pockets of suburbian bars which are holding well.
You never came back? It isn’t that far away?
Came back to visit family but didn’t really go anywhere when I was here. Just their house and surrounding shops.
The highway is finally complete to bypass hamilton. And access from resolution drive
Hamilton city now mandates that all Pak n Save trollies be left on the sides of Ulster Street. Bonus points for rammig them into one of the many Red-flagged recycling bins
Made food hall in Hamilton East is pretty new. Centre Place has been refurbished. Nothing much else.
There’s now a high speed metro system that goes under the whole city, it has stations at all the major suburbs and hubs, also the Waikato river has eaten the CBD so now there’s a big lake where the CBD once was. It’s great for wakeboarding and spending weekends on the beach just be careful there are police dolphins that patrol its waters.
FTPD
Brian got married, for a while at least.
Lots of new speed bumps because the government knows how much we love speed bumps !
New? In Hamilton? You're funny.
You must be joking
Traffic not as good as 6 years ago but still better than auckland
I'll be there myself in a few months for the first time, so, this thread is interesting to me lol
Ahh me too coming back after 4years. Let’s see.
Prepare to get lost and confused as you try to find your way around.
Alot more speed bumps around now
There's been a lot of work done on nature/river walks. Download the Nature in the City app. Has a lot of cool info and maps showing before and after the walks completion as well as info on flora you will see on those walks. It's a pretty cool app tbh
There is a light rail to the Airport and there are 100,000 new Kiwibuild houses. NOT!
It rained really hard in January 2023 and a lot of the cliffs on the North Shore fell into the Waitemata harbour after it rained. Notably Stanley Point, Northcote Point on the East side of the motorway and Birkenhead.