SCHOOL ZONES:
Roscommon School, Weymouth Intermediate and High School.
CONTACT:
Shirley Daniel, 021 933 035, Mike Pero Real Estate.
The first thing that strikes you, getting out of the car in Samara Place is the crisp, salty freshness of the sea air, and that's something which instantly attracted William Leaupepe and Ruth Cottingham to their coastal home five years ago.
"It's been great living here right by the sea,"says William, who heads out daily, while walking Jasper, a boxer cross border collie.
"The sand is just five minutes' stroll away, and they put out nets down there to catch flounder, mullet and kawhai."
William, a cleaning business manager, and Ruth, who works in commercial property, were also drawn to the property for its views of Manukau Heads, the tree-clad Waitakeres and the busy nearby airport.
The three-level, tile-roofed home, built in 1999, has been perfect for their needs -- both are parents of grown-up children who've left home, and it's an ideal size and well laid out for entertaining.
There's a large barbecue and eating area and a couple of little, self-contained private outdoor spaces. Citrus does extremely well here and the lemon tree is groaning with fruit.
Inside, a spacious kitchen, dining and living space takes up most of the ground floor along with a cloakroom, a fourth bedroom that is being used as a home office, and a big double garage with internal access via the laundry.
On the next level lies the master suite with walk-in wardrobe and en suite. The bedroom has its own wrap-around balcony reached through bifold glass doors and William confesses that lying in bed at night and watching planes taking off and landing, across the water, is one of his favourite ways of spending time.
The top level of the house has two more double bedrooms, with loads of wardrobe storage space, and the main bathroom -- with bath -- is up here too.
Image 1 of 6: Sand is just a stroll away but so are schools, shops and entertainment. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
The house takes advantage of the ever-growing Manukau City with its shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and botanic gardens, plus Rainbow's End and the new whitewater rafting park.
"There are two supermarkets nearby so it's easy access to practically everything," says William. "And there are loads of schools within walking distance."
He and Ruth are selling because they are both looking at retirement in the next few years.
"We love it here, but we're thinking that it might be nice to go further north," says William. "And I also have some land at home in Samoa that I've been planning to build on for a number of years."
Both suggest, rightly, that at 235sq m, on a 504sq m fully-fenced section, 21 Samara Place is the perfect property for a big family.
"If they're school-age kids they could play happily in the garden, or out in the quiet cul-de-sac, running around and riding their bikes. For older kids or extended family, there is potential for using the house in a number of different ways so that everybody has plenty of room to move."
William says that the neighbourhood is a friendly and close-knit one where all the residents look out for each other. The property has off-street parking for up to five cars, which means the garage can be used for storage -- if required.
"As soon as we turn into the driveway, we're in our own, private little beachside hideaway," says William. "And we're sure that a new owner will enjoy the house -- and its surroundings -- as much as we have."
