Devonport

This peaceful seaside suburb is graceful and serene, yet retains an air of vibrancy in its heart. 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 high.

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 the 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.

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.

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 superb 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 the city, the Bays and the 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 in Devonport is great. Mainly boutique, with loads of galleries, antique shops and bookshops, it is easy to spend a morning wandering up and down the main street checking out rare finds. The local cinema is also well patronised.

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 (going in the favourable direction).

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 make-up 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.

Depending on how modern the interiors are, you can expect to pay anything over the $550,000 mark for a villa (often much in excess of this) to more than a couple of million for waterfront and cliff-top properties.

Although the area has predominantly older-style housing, there are some units and townhouses. For a two-bedroom brick and tile unit you can expect to pay around $300,000 and for a smaller free-standing townhouse, anywhere upwards of $450,000, depending on size and condition.