Belmont

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Belmont is often thought of as the gateway to Devonport, but this thriving community has much more to offer than that. With its name originating from the Shetland Islands, Belmont is between Takapuna and Devonport with its centre being the Bayswater intersection.

Starting to develop in the 1850s, it came into its own when Takapuna Grammar School was founded in 1929.

Developed in fits and starts (even as late as the 1960s it was still semi-rural), the area has an array of housing from every era.

It has a strong army and navy influence with several street names having military names, such as Achilles and Alamein Aves and Cassino St.

As a less expensive housing option to Devonport, Belmont is a popular choice for people wanting to live close to beaches and ferries to the city (from Devonport and Bayswater) as well as for those wanting their children to attend the good schools in the area.

WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE HERE?

The cliff-top views, the beaches, the bike paths and walkways down around the mangroves, the easy access to Devonport and Takapuna and the interesting mix of housing make Belmont what it is.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

For the sports fanatics there are a variety of sports clubs, including squash, tennis, soccer, rugby league and rugby union, and Shoal Bay attracts kite flyers and windsurfers. And there is plenty of surf and sand with Narrow Neck, Takapuna and St Leonards beaches close by.

For people who enjoy walking, a great path takes you from Jutland Rd in Hauraki, past Northboro Rd, over a bridge to Bayswater Ave, past Bayswater Park to Narrow Neck.

The shopaholics don't miss out, either. Belmont has a small shopping centre on Lake Rd, and Shore City, which is just down the road, caters for more mainstream shopping needs.

The Belmont Rose Gardens is a popular community facility with something to interest everyone, from live theatre and school productions to exhibitions.

And living between two buzzing suburbs means you can make the most of the Sunday markets at Takapuna and the annual food and wine festival at Devonport.

SCHOOLS

Belmont has schools for all age groups - Belmont Primary, Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar School.

WHO LIVES HERE?

This area attracts families - and they tend to stay for generations with family members only living a few minutes from each other. Most people who move to the area do so for the old-fashioned lifestyle Belmont has to offer.

HOUSE PRICES

The interesting thing about Belmont is its variety of housing, from clifftop mansions to small brick and tile units and a mix of Californian bungalows, bay villas, modern townhouses and large brick and tile homes on full sites.

Seacliffe Ave, with its views of Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf, is the most sought-after location in Belmont, although any street with a view of the city is also popular.

Prices vary according to streets, condition and size. A three-bedroom home in Montgomery Ave recently sold for $265,000, a three-bedroom home in Bardia St for $365,000, a three-bedroom townhouse in Alamein Ave for $282,000 and a more modern cedar townhouse in Williamson Ave for $355,000.

For a small unit you can expect to pay about $160,000 and $230,000 for a larger one with a view. On the cliff, large homes can sell for as much as $1.6 million and a four-bedroom home on an 827sq m site for about $470,000.