"We went for an apartment," says Roger, "as we knew the build would take a long time and we didn't want to rent if we could avoid it. The other thing was we knew building projects can run over time and if you have a 12-month lease and the build takes 18 months, you're in the cactus."
Which is exactly what happened. When their new home struck delays, the Watersons were glad they had invested in an apartment - and not just because of the convenience.
"We loved it," says Roger. "We really do have the best of both worlds. There is that total relaxation we get at our property on the west coast and then there is the advantage of being right of the thick of things in the inner city.
"Auckland has grown up a lot in recent years. I wouldn't have been all that keen on an apartment when it was just the Viaduct on offer. But what they've done with the Britomart precinct and the Wynyard Quarter - they've just nailed it."
"There's good bars and restaurants, the transport is easy and, for example, the ferry to Devonport or Waiheke is just a few minutes' walk if we feel like an entire change of scenery. There're movies, plays, exhibitions all within easy reach plus shows from visiting comedians or musicians. It all works beautifully, we find."
The Watersons spend most of their time at the new house though Roger uses the apartment at least once a week to meet old mates in the city for a drink. They also stay city-side when meeting people in town, working or when there is a specific event or show they want to attend.
"It just takes all the hard work out of it," says Roger. "Nowhere is very far away so you don't have to worry about drink-drive, for example. You can just relax and enjoy yourself. It's a kind of freedom.
"We've gone to Devonport a couple of times and if you want to travel outside the city centre a bit, we are so close to the Britomart, the train is easy."
There is no clear data on how many best-of-both-worlders are doing what the Watersons have done, though Tamba Young, researcher for the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment company, CBRE, says she has heard anecdotally of increasing numbers of people doing the same thing.
"Downsizing isn't new, of course, and I imagine all of the people involved, like the Watersons, have done so after selling their family home," she says. "Obviously some have lifestyle factors they want to take into account."
The Watersons sold their first apartment for a profit, although they spent some money doing up the property, and now want to buy a new one.
However, demand is still running hot. There are 26,650 apartments in Auckland already and 6,433 in development ('in the pipeline'). Of those nearly 75 per cent have been sold off the plans, leaving only just over 1,300 for sale, including the new The Maritime apartment development on Anzac Ave, a short walk to Britomart, Auckland's waterfront and CBD.
Sales are doubling each year. There were 5,737 inner city apartments sold in the year to September 2015 compared to 2,102 in the same area over the same period last year. The prices are also rising. CBRE sales data shows the average price in 2012 was $316,000, compared to $411,000 so far in 2015.
CBRE also estimate there are at least 500 buyers looking for inner city apartments over spring and summer this year and demand is strong for pre-sale previews at which people can register interest ahead of the official on-sale date.
The Maritime Apartments display suite at Level 2, 29 Anzac Avenue opens this weekend for pre-sale preview, Friday 4pm-7pm and Saturday/Sunday 11am-4pm. RSVP today at www.maritimeapartments.co.nz
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