Albany

By ROBYN WELSH

Massey University's Albany campus, the retail centre, sports stadium and the northern motorway have dramatically altered the Albany skyline and new life to the North Shore suburb.

Once predominantly orchards and green pastures beyond the village, Albany's appeal has taken on a new sophistication, fuelled by interest in several new developments. As well as subdivisions of family homes with rural outlooks but still within walking distance of the village, there are also apartment and terraced housing developments to service the university.

At the top end of the market, The Landing has houses in the $360,000 to $500,000 range. A nearby development off Bass Rd and which overlooks Lucas Creek features houses in a slightly lower bracket. Off The Avenue, the 34-site Serenity Park has homes priced from $380,000 to $460,000 with some sections available for $115,000 to $180,000.

Albany's rooster mascot is no token gesture to this area's rural roots. Live chickens socialise with visitors and locals at the picturesque picnic grounds behind the village shops. Now that the town centre no longer has to cope with highway traffic, it can recapture its village-like atmosphere with its craft shops and cafes.

Both the new motorway extension and the upgraded Oteha Valley Rd have given Albany's lifestyle component heightened exposure for residents keen to retain the best of both worlds - a bit of country close to the city.