SCHOOL ZONES:
Howick College, Botany Downs College, Somerville Intermediate, Shelly Park primary
CONTACT:
Tony Warren, Ray White, ph 021 845 252
Tim Vince may be guilty of a tiny bit of exaggeration when he says he looked at a million places nearly 20 years ago in his hunt for the perfect pad around Whitford.
"The moment we drove in, we knew it was pretty special," he says. "Not many places havedirect access to the water. You know the moment you walk in, that feeling that 'This is us'? You can watch the golfing at Formosa, out to Rangitoto, the beach was there every day for walks.
Tim swears he's no softie, but there's something charming about a man who promises his old dog he won't move him out of the country spread. So until Harry the beagle died last year Tim did the lengthy commute to his horse training business in Kumeu, giving Harry the run of the property -- and the neighbourhood. Only now can Tim bring himself to sell (the house is tenanted until August) and make his move to town permanent, acknowledging that the place is too big for just one person.
"Living here was the stress-free life," he says. "I crossed the bottom paddock to the beach and used to windsurf all the time. Next door was home to a world jet-ski champ, there were always kids kite-sailing, or you could take the kayak out".
Tim even claims that there was nothing he enjoyed more than mowing the lawn: he used to jump on the ride-on after a tough day, even when the lawns didn't need doing. He had designed the spreading property to be easy care, with low-maintenance plants, plenty of bark mulch and nice sweeps of lawns to ride. He's offered to leave the ride-on for the next owner, along with his best route. His only failure, it seems, is that all the fencing he installed failed to keep adventurous Harry on the property. Both dog and master became well known in the close-knit neighbourhood. In return for their patience (and pilfered food), Tim was happy to welcome local horse-riders access through his place on to the beach (this stretch of Whitford is horse country).
Image 1 of 7: In peaceful Whitford, this dog-lover found the perfect place to enjoy a stress-free life.
The house was built by a builder for his own family, so its sound block and tile needs no work. There is a hint of old Europe in the curving sweep of driveway, steeply pitched roofs and gracious porches, embellished with a touch of stone in pillars. There are three bedrooms downstairs, and a master suite upstairs to take in the commanding views of the water. Tim had the kitchen redone with granite and new appliances about three years ago, while both bathrooms were done only last year. The master tub is tucked into a dormer window for the best of the views.
The main living, dining room and kitchen are all oriented to the stretch of lawn and water views. There's a gas fire in the living room, and another rumpus room on the top floor of the double garage. The barn/garage is set up with bathroom and kitchenette as the builder lived in this while building the main house -- it would make a terrific granny flat or bed and breakfast rental.
Clifton Rd is 10 minutes' drive from Pine Harbour for the weekday ferry to the city, or workplaces in Manukau or the airport. Popular markets at Clevedon or Beachlands are weekend attractions, and the kids can keep busy with water or equine sports.
"It breaks my heart to leave it, but I've had great memories," says Tim. "This is the best life for kids, they can have such a good life. I want the next people to have 20 years here and ring me up and say 'we've had a great life here' too."
