Botany Downs

Including Northpark, Somerville,

Pt View Park, Dannemora, Cumbria Downs and Burswood.

It was inevitable the rural landscape between south and east Auckland would be gobbled up by developers. The area is very popular because of good planning. Facilities are good, and the Botany Town Centre has become renowned for its innovative street-based design.

This is a racially-mixed middle class area with many immigrants - those from Asia make up perhaps a third of the population. There are also South Africans and Middle Easterners. Whatever the nationality, the family profile tends towards those with teenagers or kids who have grown up and left home. .

TYPICAL DWELLINGS Because this area was farmland just a few years ago, the houses are virtually all new. Brick-and-tile four-bedroom one-level houses dominate, although there are also terraces. There's a sense of the homogenous American suburban dream; although land prices mean the sections are smaller.

AMENITIES Botany Downs Secondary College opened in last year and won an award from the NZ Institute of Architects. On a smaller and less dramatic scale, Catholic high school Sancta Maria College also opened last year.

Botany Town Centre delivers the best of both retail worlds, with its mall and mainstreet one mega shopping experience. Last year, an eight-screen Berkeley cinema opened on-site, as well as the new library.

Botany Downs will soon be rivalling Ponsonby Rd for the number of cafes per kilometre - they're fast becoming a standard part of the social scene.

There is also 10-pin bowling and ice skating on offer just over the road from Botany Town Centre.

All manner of land sports and maritime activities are available in nearby Howick.

Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga has excellent recreational facilities, including a swimming pool complex.

REAL ESTATE

TRENDS The strongest demand is at the lower half of the market and for those in the highest bracket. A year ago everybody wanted to live near the town centre; now the college is the big draw card.

RENTAL AND INVESTMENT The level of demand fluctuates greatly, but this is considered a safe area to live, with good schools, so the demand will always be there.

BEST STREETS Fairfield Lane is sought-after because it has a good number of masonry homes which look established and respectable. Also popular are John Brooke Cres, Brook Ridge Rise, and anything near Botany College.