SCHOOL ZONES:
Newmarket School, Remuera Intermediate, double Grammar.
CONTACT:
Paul Sissons, 0274 325 220, Bayleys.
AUCTION:
June 9
Margaret Groot likes that her big sunny apartment in Remuera offers a pick of edgy urban views, lush greenery or the stunning and changing vista across Auckland Harbour to Rangitoto.
No matter where you choose to sit, there is always something going on.
"I just love the feeling of space and light," says Margaret.
"That every time you come in you feel like you're part of the world but not right in it."
Margaret, who works with blind and low vision children, and her painter husband Kees, moved from their much-loved villa in Epsom to the iconic Oakridge apartment complex 11 years ago when the building was newly finished.
Their three daughters were overseas, so it was time to downsize and make some changes.
While Margaret thought she would miss her villa and garden terribly, she hasn't really.
They lived there for 28 years and while it was very hard to leave, this was a nice solution, she says.
"This was a total change but not one where you felt cramped. This is just a beautiful, solid, timeless building really."
Here, she can take advantage of the building's well maintained garden and landscaping but with none of the responsibility.
"This has got a very well-organised and well-run body corporate and then, of course, we're part of Broadway Park and that means that we have access to the pools, the gymnasium, the tennis courts.
"That's all free, and Sky, and all those things, the whole parcel, and fibre. That all comes as part of living here."
She also loves the sheer space of the apartment. You walk in and the kitchen/dining/lounge area opens out before you, but there's also a separate wing for the bedrooms and there's even a separate laundry. There is also a large lock-up storage space downstairs and the building is very secure.
Image 1 of 6: Filled with light, this spacious home in timeless Oakridge complex has much to offer. Photos / Ted Baghurst
"It's probably hard to build a building like this now, with such a lot of space," Margaret says.
She and Kees have three living spaces set up, so there are two sets of couches and some easy-sit chairs by the big window where you can enjoy coffee and reading the paper.
The chairs are Kees' afternoon spot where he likes to look out at the street, says Margaret.
She loves it on the covered deck, and the big old oak tree which you can almost reach out and touch. The tree changes with the seasons and when the leaves fall you can see across to the historic boatsheds at Orakei.
"The tree is the most wonderful thing about the apartment I think, just that and the light that made us decide.
"And I just love all this variety -- you know, little glimpses of Auckland."
Then there's the convenience factor. It's only a few minutes walk from the Newmarket train station which means it's only one stop to the city, or you can jump on a Link bus and be there in no time.
Everything is within reach here, Margaret says, from popping out to the shops to taking in a film or heading into the city for some art and culture.
There are also beautiful walks around Shore Road and Newmarket Park is a stroll away.
While the couple has enjoyed their time living here, their three girls are all back in Auckland and there are grandchildren, so Margaret and Kees want to move nearer to them.
They haven't decided exactly what their plans are but are considering building their next home.
