Auckland

Where to live and what's on offer. CHARLOTTE COSSAR presents an overview of the city's suburbs.

THE real estate market has been on a whirlwind ride during the past year and this looks certain to continue in 2003.

With Aucklanders and others on the move in the city, deciding which area to live in can be tricky.

Auckland is broken into five main areas - east, west, south, north and central - and if you live in any of these for any length of time you become very territorial.

EAST

The eastern suburbs have some of Auckland's most expensive houses. Rich in history, these areas, which include Remuera, St Heliers, Orakei, Meadowbank, Glendowie, Mission Bay and Kohimarama, attract a certain type of buyer.

Often people who have grown up in the area stay and raise their families to enjoy the benefits of the good schools and close proximity to the city. Others, especially young professionals, who have grown up in other areas are drawn here for the great eateries, parks and access to the bays.

Although housing here is not cheap, there are some fantastic properties on fairly decent-sized sections still up for grabs. Hard pushed to buy anything for under $500,000 in most of these suburbs, many have northerly aspects and sea views.

Apartments, townhouses and units cleverly meld with stunning villas, bungalows and stately residences making the most of modern and traditional architecture.

WEST

With a backdrop of the Waitakere Ranges and a rugged coastline, West Auckland has a culture. Anyone living in this area is lovingly referred to as a Westie and this strong bond gives the area an identity - once a Westie, always a Westie.

Including suburbs such as Green Bay, Henderson, Te Atatu, Waitakere, Swanson, West Harbour, Laingholm and Titirangi, West Auckland is known for its divine landscape and diverse homes.

Development in the area has created a range of housing, from original farmhouses on pastoral land to modern townhouses on half sites. Housing prices in the west cover the spectrum, from units and basic homes for under $100,000 to million-dollar pads in the hills and along cliff tops overlooking the sea.

Popular for its beaches and bush, West Auckland is the choice of those looking for adventure and a touch of nature.

SOUTH

A melting pot of cultural groups, South Auckland is rich in community spirit and fun! Full of young people, the area always has something going on.

Lively flea markets, packed sports grounds and bustling town centres are all part of life in the south.

Including areas such as Mangere, Otara, Otahuhu, Manukau, Manurewa and Papakura, which all offer different things, living in South Auckland has often been underrated. During the 1970s, it was well known for its State housing areas and racial fracas, but this is a far cry from what most of the area is really like.

Comprising a diverse landscape of farmland to high-density living, there are all types of housing available - from units to lifestyle blocks - the prices of which are just as diverse as the housing.

Development has boomed in many of the areas, especially Manurewa, which is a popular suburb with young families looking for a new home on a 600sq m to 700sq m section. Generally fenced and with internal-access garages, many of these homes are in the $200,000 to $300,000 bracket and offer quality living.

CENTRAL

This area has seen a huge growth in population during the past 10 years, mainly due to the development of apartment buildings and terraced housing around the CBD.

Attracting residents who want to be in the thick of it, city living has never been so popular.

And the boundaries of what is considered central keep expanding with Auckland's outer boundaries. Including areas such as Grafton, Parnell, Hillsborough, Epsom, Avondale, Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Mt Albert, the topography is vast and varied.

The inner city is now home to many empty nesters and young professionals looking for fun and laughter when the sun goes down, whereas the surrounding suburbs tend to house young people, as well as families, who like renovated villas and bungalows and trendy cafes.

Although there aren't many do-ups left, if you do find one you may have to pay upward of $300,000, and a small pad in the city could set you back anything from half a million, depending on size and location.

NORTH

Considered by the rest of Auckland as miles away, even though many parts of the North Shore are only 10 minutes from the CDB, the North Shore has another culture altogether.

Home to many urbanites, the Shore also caters for immigrants, families and professionals. Attracted by its massive playground of beaches, parks and reserves, volcanoes and native bush, it is a haven for people who like the outdoors.

Boasting multi-million-dollar palatial residences along its shores and clifftops, the Shore also has a mix of villas, bungalows in its older areas and new homes and townhouses in its younger suburbs.

Cafes, art galleries and boutique shopping areas make the North Shore self-sufficient.