Where to live? Somewhere Hamilton to Taupo

[TheDancingHorses]

Looking for guidance/inspiration! Currently living in a small town 30 mins south of Hamilton - I wfh and DH works in Hamilton. We have an 11 year old DD in her last year of primary.

I’d been hoping to move to Taupo in time for DD to start intermediate for various reasons - Dsis lives there with her family and has been through chemo twice in the last 18 months so I’d really like to be nearer in case it reoccurs. Also, my other DD(21) lives about 20 mins north of Taupo with her DP and has recently discovered that’s she pregnant so I’d love to be nearer to support her and spend time with her and first DGC. She’s only lived there a few months so has no friends (yet) and is in a fairly isolated, rural-ish place so I worry about her.

DH was all up for finding a new job in Taupo so we can move but has now decided he loves his current job and doesn’t want to move. I’m pretty gutted (DM passed away earlier this year too so I’m generally not feeling great) but nothing I can do to persuade him to change his mind.

So… I’m thinking whether there’s somewhere in between Taupo and Hamilton that we could settle to live in as a compromise? That way, DH can stay in his precious job but I can spend time with DD, DGC and Dsis. I’m looking for somewhere with good intermediate and high schools, a friendly vibe, with plenty to do for me and DD.

Any ideas gratefully received! TIA

Does DH have any flexibility in his work? Could you get a pied-a-terre in Hamilton and live in Taupo and he works compressed days? What side of Hamilton does he work on? Like if he's in Te Rapa it's a bit different than if he's in Dinsdale for example.

Thanks @CallItLoneliness. No flexibility unfortunately - DH and I talked about him seeing if he could wfh part of the week but he didn’t want the weekly drive from Taupo to Hamilton so that’s a none starter. His work is in Frankton.

Hmmm, at least Frankton is on the new ring road. But I think he's being a bit precious not wanting to do the round trip twice a week--is he willing to make any sacrifices at all? How long is his commute currently? One option would be Tokoroa, which is 45 mins to Taupo and an hour ten or an hour 20 to Frankton, Putaruru or Tirau would change that in favour of Frankton. Tirau would make Cambridge high almost doable for your daughter, too.