Ian Hunt IN Coachella
Originally from Pahīatua, Ian Hunt lives in the Californian desert with his winemaker husband, where they enjoy the ‘guaranteed sunshine’, Mad Max vibe and ubiquitous happy hours.
What inspired your move, and how long have you been there?
I met and married a Californian after five years of yearly vacations to Palm Springs, and have been living here permanently for five years. Guaranteed sunshine and resorts (some clothing optional) with bars, restaurants, happy hours and pools were the attraction.
Can you tell us a bit about where you live?
We live in Yucca Valley, six miles (9.6 kilometres) from Joshua Tree, and have a business in Palm Springs, which is 20 miles (32km) from Yucca Valley – all in the Coachella Valley area.
Palm Springs is populated with retirees, a large gay population, hipsters and those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle in the sun. Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree is a more Mad Max, vintage, arty, hippy style of place, with saloon bars and roadhouse restaurants.
What do you do there?
I married a winemaker from Santa Barbara County and we have our tasting room in downtown Palm Springs. We both work the tasting room and travel back to Santa Barbara about every six weeks to do winery work and bring back stock to sell on our website (jalamawines.com).
What are the biggest advantages of living there?
A healthy lifestyle of fitness, good food and sunshine that keeps your spirits lifted. Bars have great happy hours and there are plenty of restaurant choices. People are very friendly and not too political or religious – two topics you try to avoid at gatherings.
Any disadvantages?
The extreme summer heat and power bills for air-conditioning and pool maintenance.
How expensive is it compared to New Zealand?
It has become expensive since Covid, but is still cheap compared to New Zealand. Gas (petrol) is US$4 (NZ$6.70) per gallon. Cocktails are around US$15 (NZ$25), but if you hit the happy hours, which last most of the day, they can be as low as US$4.
Housing is cheaper and most houses have three bedrooms and two bathrooms and average around US$500,000 to US$600,000
(NZ$837,700 to NZ$1 million) in the Coachella area.
There are plenty of grocery stores, with Grocery Outlet and Aldi being known discounted stores. Alcohol and cigarettes are cheap. There is a good mix of high and low-end clothing and furniture stores. Recreational cannabis is cheap too.
How do you spend your spare time?
Playing pickleball, going to the gym, eating well and hitting the happy hours at tiki, speakeasy and gay bars.
What is the local delicacy and would you recommend it?
Mexican food. There is a lot of it and it’s very good. Great margaritas too.
What are the top three things you recommend visitors check out?
Joshua Tree National Park, Salton Sea and the tramway to the top of the mountain. Not to mention Modernism Week, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Living Desert Zoo and Pioneer Town.
Family and friends aside, what do you most miss about home?
I miss a good lamb with mint sauce; roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, real gravy and roast potatoes; fish and chips takeaway-style; and a good New Zealand bakery.
Expat Tales is a Stuff Travel series featuring Kiwis who have made new lives for themselves overseas. If you’d like to take part, email us at travel@stuff.co.nz