Devonport

Including Stanley Bay, Stanley Pt, Cheltenham and Vauxhall.

Devonport is a unique combination of classy historic town and seaside village, with a bit of arty bohemian thrown in. You're never far from either the sea or the village here, but you're a long way from the noise of the motorway. And you can forget commuting hassles with a gentle ferry ride to the CBD.

Arty, creative types have always favoured Devonport, and it's popular among young professionals and families with school-age children.

Devonport boasts many elegant Victorian and Edwardian villas and cottages along the water's edge and down the little streets beyond the village. Inconspicuously dotted among the older houses are a smaller number of 60s brick-and-tile units and homes.

Amenities

Quality schooling is one of the attractions. Primary schools feed into Belmont Intermediate; students then move on to Takapuna Grammar School in Lake Rd, which is the only secondary school in the area.

Most shops have their original facades, including the grand old Esplanade pub at the bottom of the main street. Once you've dealt with the shopping list at New World (discreetly tucked down a side street), there are galleries, boutique-style shops and bookshops.

There's plenty of scope to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's lazing on one of the beaches or climbing North Head. Tranquil Cheltenham Beach has huge pohutukawa and a fabulous view of Rangitoto Island. Water sports are popular here, with five boat ramps around the shoreline.

Devonport is well supplied with restaurants and other eateries, including Manuka, the Stone Oven Bakery and Cafe and the award-winning Ice It Cafe in Church St.

Real estate Trends

Devonport central is a place many North Shore homeowners aspire to; some will move four or five times before they reach their chosen street. Devonport central is fetching premium prices, pushed up by returning Kiwis and British migrants. Prices of $800,000 to $1 million-plus are common. Key factors are being no more than five minutes' walk to both ferry and village, and off-street parking or garaging. In Stanley Pt, homes on large properties go for $900,000-plus.

Rental and investment Overseas tenants generally pay higher rentals, especially the Brits as the exchange rate is favourable enough for them to pay a six- to 12-month rental until they decide where they will buy.

Best streets Jubilee Ave in Cheltenham; the peninsula end of Stanley Pt Rd, and First and Second Ave in Stanley Pt.