Mt Albert

Including Sandringham, St Lukes and Owairaka.

This suburb is a real melting pot - from well-off families in grand houses on tree-lined streets on the slopes of Mt Albert, to Asian students flatting near Unitec and relatively poor migrants renting in Owairaka. Mt Albert was Auckland's second suburb, after Remuera, settled by well-to-do families in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Residents include Polynesian families, Indians, Sri Lankans and other ethnic groups. There's a Somali community in Owairaka.

The beautiful and substantial bungalows and villas are home to many families attracted to the area by the larger sections and, until recently, moderate house prices.

The past decade has seen a major transformation in the ethnic composition, with an influx of Asian students to local tertiary education institutes Unitec on Carrington Rd and the privately owned AIS St Helens on Asquith Ave.

Many of the gracious homes built for some of the older family names in Auckland remain today. Most have been beautifully restored and renovated. There are also modern homes on half sites, units and ex-state houses.

Amenities The area is well served by schools. Gladstone School is popular at primary level; many children attend Kowhai Intermediate in Kingsland, then co-ed Mt Albert Grammar caters for secondary pupils. Westfield St Lukes is a favourite shopping mall for many Aucklanders. It's now bigger and better, with cinemas and extended carparking. Across the road there's a collection of bulk retail style shops for appliances, furniture etc.

The Mt Albert shopping strip has undergone a major cultural renaissance during the past decade, with a significant Asian influence coming in.

The Philips Aquatic Centre in Alberton Ave is hugely popular, with a wave pool, waterslide and baby pools. Rocket Park in Wairere Ave is well used by young and old. And for great walking, you can't beat the volcanic slopes of Mt Albert.

Real estate

Trends - The recently extended St Lukes mall and the commercial centre surrounding it has fuelled a demand for real estate in this area. New apartments are being built, although there is a limited amount of land available.

Rental and investment For all the reasons mentioned earlier (students, immigrants etc), the rental market in this area is huge.

Best streets Mt Albert's "Golden Triangle" has the most valuable residential properties in the area, including Allendale Rd, Stilwell Rd, Summit Dr and surrounding streets.