East Coast Bays

CHARLOTTE COSSAR explores the seaside living and spectacular views on offer in this relaxed area with a holiday atmosphere.

Just a stone's throw from the bustle of the city are the East Coast Bays suburbs - Torbay, Browns Bay, Long Bay, Waiake, Rothesay Bay, Murrays Bay, Mairangi Bay, Campbells Bay and Castor Bay - which offer seaside living and spectacular views.

One of the largest suburbs is Torbay, once known as Oneroa. The area, which is covered with pohutukawa and dotted with rata, is unique because it is a naturally formed peninsula bordered by Waiake and Winstones Cove and Long Bay Regional Park. Being over the brow from the Beach Rd traffic, it has a holiday atmosphere, a great village with numerous services and amenities and is a mix of original renovated baches and new housing.

The East Coast Bays have everything; fantastic sea views, beaches and great walks - one of these being from Waiake at low tide around the peninsula to Long Bay Regional Park. Often people stop and enjoy coffee or lunch at the Long Bay Restaurant en route.

With lots of schools in the area, it is a popular place for young and old. The older residents enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere and, generally, the close proximity of the local shopping villages, while younger residents are bombarded with outdoor activities to keep them occupied. Included in these are the many natural saltwater swimming pools, a marine reserve, restaurants, cafes, tennis clubs and regular sailing races. And every Sunday there is the popular Browns Bay market.

So what will it cost to live in the area? The median selling price in April 2002 for the East Coast Bays was $295,000. Homes with sea views command a lot more and cliff-top properties fetch more than $1 million. There is a surge of apartments in Browns Bay and they will cost you from $225,000 to $1 million. Modern townhouses generally sell for the high $300,000s to $500,000 and three-to-four-bedroom homes, back from the cliff, cost between $300,000 and $400,000. Original baches and cottages range from $250,000 to the mid-$300,000s and two-bedroom units cost between $200,000 and $230,000.

The area has been attracting families and retired people moving from inland areas to be closer to the sea. It also attracts immigrants from England, South Africa and Asia who like the seaside atmosphere and want to be close to Rangitoto and Long Bay colleges and Massey University's Albany campus.

With easy access to the motorway to Albany, the city and further north, the East Coast Bays suburbs offer a wonderful lifestyle with a relaxed, village atmosphere.