Devonport

BY CHARLOTTE COSSAR

This peaceful seaside suburb is graceful and serene. Whether you are stepping off the ferry or winding down the hill by car, the absolute joy of arriving in this refreshingly old-world area is immense.

It is no wonder Devonport is the suburb of choice for many Aucklanders - and a lot more who only dream of living in its many character homes, which have been preserved with local bylaws preventing the removal or modernisation of older homes.

Known for its beautifully restored villas and bungalows nestled by the sea, Devonport is at the mouth of Auckland's harbour, allowing for a well-utilised ferry service to downtown Auckland.

Being a destination suburb, it has a village-type reputation and a close-knit community culture. And adding to the solidarity of the area are the North Shore rugby, cricket and soccer clubs, with their long-standing traditions.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

Once a year thousands of Aucklanders flock to Devonport for its annual food and wine festival. A great outing, it is hard to beat the superb eateries and vineyards showing off their offerings. However, don't be alarmed if you miss this wonderful occasion as there is a variety of divine cafes, restaurants and bars operating on or around the main street year round.

After consuming your fill, a stroll along the waterfront offers a picturesque view of Auckland city, the Bays and some of the Gulf islands, or to gain some of the best vantage points from which to view the city and harbour, North Head and Mt Victoria are worth a visit.

The shopping at Devonport is great. Mainly boutique with loads of galleries and bookshops, it is easy to spend a morning wandering up and down the main street checking out rare finds.

SCHOOLS

The area has excellent primary and intermediate schools, and it is in zone for Takapuna Grammar. For older students, the University of Auckland is a short ferry trip away and Massey University's Albany campus is just up the motorway.

WHO LIVES IN THE AREA?

The seclusion and historical beauty of the area attracts a variety of residents, from younger professionals and arty types to retirees.

A mixed bag, the makeup of the area doesn't change a lot and one thing always remains the same - the popularity and appeal of this historic seaside resort village. Once you buy here, you will be hard pushed to leave.

HOUSE PRICES

Depending on how modern the interiors are, you can expect to pay from about $350,000 for a villa to more than a couple of million for waterfront and clifftop properties.

Although the area does predominantly have older-style housing, there are some units and townhouses. For a two-bedroom brick and tile unit you can expect to pay around $200,000 and for a smaller free-standing townhouse about $400,000. The median price in Devonport, according to REINZ statistics, is around $450,000.