Avondale

including Waterview and Rosebank.

Avondale is an established suburb close to the city and one of Auckland's oldest suburbs, with the first European settlement as early as 1843.

With trouble-free access to the city and a good array of amenities in west Auckland, the area is popular with professionals seeking character family houses on large sections.

Avondale also attracts first-home buyers and immigrants, who like it for its good schools, job opportunities and lively community spirit. There's also a large Polynesian influence.

The influx of yuppies and dinkies who have been scared off by the prices of some other inner-city suburbs is changing the profile of the area.

Typical dwellings

There are, in fact, numerous renovated villas and bungalows plus an abundant supply of 1930s through to 1960s brick and tile or weatherboard family homes. The past two decades have seen a number of modern in-fill plaster or brick and tile townhouses. Although created in 1861, Waterview was slow to develop - the area is now sought after.

Amenities Avondale College is highly regarded and people will move into the suburb for this reason alone.

Lynn Mall and St Lukes are nearby and that has had an impact on suburban strip shopping in Avondale. Avondale centre recently had a revamp that's attracted new shops and cafes. Every Sunday, the local market at the racecourse sells produce, arts, crafts, food and second-hand goods.

Avondale is famed for its racecourse and jockey club in Ash Street.

West Coast beaches are easy to reach, and Pt Chevalier beach is just down the road.

Avondale College also runs an extensive community education programme

REAL ESTATE

Trends

Values have increased appreciably in the past decade, driven by good public transport and demand for land by developers and homeowners. It's still a reasonably affordable area close to the city. Properties around Rosebank Road are cheaper than the elevated properties above Great North Road towards New Windsor.

Rental and investment There is a shortage of rentals. Numerous ex-rentals have been renovated and on-sold to owner-occupiers. Much of the demand for rentals is driven by education in the form of Unitec and Avondale College.

Best streets Blockhouse Bay Road and Holly Street. Also Avondale Heights, including Cradock Street, Himikera Avenue and Powell Street. The streets near Unitec are highly regarded.