Why on EARTH Stokes Valley?

[ringbark]

The large sign that often says "Toke Alley" is all the explanation you need to understand the question. Although clean, green New Zealand is largely a reality, it denies the problems of gangs and drugs that are tearing apart large parts of the cities. The Hutt Valley, including Stokes Valley, is part of the worst affected part

Comments

[natesmountain]

Fascinating! I understand the financial constraints. That is clearly a factor in these kind of decisions. I guess although I worked in the Hutt Valley for a year and a half, at St Pats Silverstream, I never considered living out there. Wellington bias, perhaps. My mother grew up in a lovely mansion in central Lower Hutt in the old days and always had fond memories of the Valley.
My father's family were city dwellers, living in Cuba St, Majoribanks St, Oriental Bay. They called our house in Ngaio 'out in the country'!

It certainly sounds like you had your fair share of raid excitement, which the boys must have enjoyed. We used to get the armed offenders a few times to our quiet street in Ngaio because we backed onto a whole street of Railway houses. Still, I'm glad you survived the experience and maybe it's made you all stronger people!

Thanks again.