Raumati roast from the roastery if you’re in Kapiti!

Sorry don’t have kids so can’t tell you much about the schools!

Sounds like you’ve been going through many of the same thought processes we went through a year ago, we ended up moving to kapiti and brought a nice old place in paraparaumu. The commute into the city twice a week isn’t too bad (take a book) and the beaches are great, the weathers warm and there’s a few nice rivers for swimming around as well.

Easy access to the Tararuas and journeys north are much easier as well. There always seems to be crafty things happening, although we’ve been busy with Reno’s the last 6 months so haven’t had a ton of time to explore. Access to some of the best mountain biking in Wellington too if that’s your thing