Grey Lynn

BY CHARLOTTE COSSAR

Cosmopolitan is probably the best way to describe this interesting suburb in the heart of Auckland. Home to a melting pot of cultures, Grey Lynn has been the suburb of choice to many interesting and varied residents during its frequent face changes, from an almost ghetto suburb, home to many students, to its more recent life as a home to trendy go-getters wanting to live in the right part of Auckland.

Within easy reach of the city, the popularity of this area has driven house prices sky high, and even a run-down do-up can reach an exorbitant price at auction, driven mainly by the young-ish, professional discerning buyers looking for the correct address.

However, don't get me wrong. Apparently, it is a great place to live and many residents are staunch in their determination not to move.

This was so for Londoner Jay Platt when he relocated with his partner to Auckland two years ago. According to Martin Leach of Meo Realty, Ponsonby, Jay had no idea what part of the city would suit him best. "After all, Auckland extends over a very wide area and the possibilities just seemed endless." However, Jay said he wanted to live in a part of town with an interesting mix of cultures and cafes and good shopping facilities, yet still within easy reach of the city, says Martin.

"So Grey Lynn it was, and Jay, now owner of new Richmond Rd pet retailer Petropolis, couldn't be happier with the choice. His home in Grey Lynn is a beautiful old villa with a large, sunny back garden, with the city on his doorstep."

Says Jay: "It's a far cry from that cooped-up feeling you get in London. This is just a wonderful place to live and it reminds me of the Notting Hill area!"

Martin, a local himself, says that a fair sprinkling of media celebrities, artists and creative types have also called the area home at some stage. Among them have been Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Colin McCahon and Witi Ihimaera.

And where can you find some of these famous people? Try Grey Lynn Foodtown. However, be careful what night you shop and what veggies you put in your trolley! Also in the area is Woolworths on Richmond Rd.

For your dining pleasure, Martin says you're spoiled for choice but suggests Delicious, which "offers some of the best Italian food in Auckland", and nearby Craft, which turns on tapas. "Craft's proprietor was chef at the renowned New Zealand-owned London restaurant The Sugar Club, named best restaurant in the world in Britain's Vanity Fair magazine," says Martin.

So what is there to do in the vibrant area? Besides visiting the local shops, which will include in a new development at 280 Richmond Rd, opening soon with a greengrocer, bread shop, video outlet, liquor store, takeaways and pet shop, there is an annual get-together - the Grey Lynn Festival (held in Grey Lynn Park). Held annually for 20 years, the event attracts more than 40,000 people. And Auckland Zoo, MOTAT and Western Springs are just down the road and Grey Lynn Park and Coxs Bay are at your doorstep.

HOUSE PRICES

If you're thinking about buying in this area, you can expect to pay from $160,000 to $400,000 for an apartment or unit, from $300,000 to $700,000 for a townhouse and from $400,000 to $850,000 for a three- to four-bedroom villa or bungalow.

And the best streets to buy in? Says Martin: "Ask residents to name the best streets and many will say any of those going up from Williamson Ave across Crummer Rd and onwards up to Great North Rd. This area is described by some real estate agents as Grey Lynn Heights or the northern slopes of Grey Lynn where some of the houses have water views and others large and sunny north-facing gardens."