Mangere: An exclusive extract

Botany Downs Including Northpark, Dannemora, Cumbria Downs and Burswood 

Mangere 

This is a racially-mixed middle class area with many immigrants - those from Asia make up perhaps a third of the population. There are also South Africans and Middle Easterners. The family profile tends towards those with teenagers or kids who have grown up and left home. 

Many people have relocated here from more established parts of east Auckland, seeking low maintenance homes with internal-access double garaging and en suites. 

Because this area was farmland just a few years ago, the houses are virtually all new. Brick-and-tile four-bedroom one-level houses dominate, although there are also terraces. There's a definite sense here of the homogenous American suburban dream although the sections are smaller. Amenities 

Botany Downs Secondary College opened in 2004 and won an award from the NZ Institute of Architects. Catholic high school Sancta Maria College also opened in 2004. Botany Town Centre has a mall and mainstreet bundled into a mega shopping experience. In 2004 a library and an eight-screen Berkeley cinema opened. 

Botany Downs will soon rival Ponsonby Rd for the number of cafes per kilometre - they're fast becoming part of the social scene. There is also 10-pin bowling and ice skating just over the road from Botany Town Centre. Trends 

A year ago everybody wanted to live near the town centre; now Botany College is the big drawcard. 

Rental and investment 

Demand for rentals fluctuates, but this is considered a good area to live so demand will always be there. 

Best streets 

Fairfield Lane because of its established-looking homes. Also John Brooke Cres, Brook Ridge Rise, and anything near Botany College.