Henderson

It's buzzing, a breeze to get around and packed with amenities, writes LUCY RICHMOND.

Henderson - one of the most historic parts of West Auckland - has evolved from its pioneering roots into a highly progressive and vibrant suburb with an eco-friendly attitude.

Regarded by many as the centre of West Auckland, it is a combination of a number of areas including Western Heights, Henderson North, Henderson Valley and Lincoln.

The suburb was named after councillor and MP Thomas Henderson (1810-1886), who bought land in the area in 1843 and established a sawmill in 1849 with John McFarlan.

Its central location close to some major transport routes, including Great North Rd, Lincoln Rd, Swanson Rd and Te Atatu Rd, makes it a breeze to get around and a manageable distance from the CBD.

A stroll around the streets reveals a few of the more historical sites, such as Henderson Mill, the fully restored Falls Hotel and Corbans Estate Winery complex.

There has been some serious investment in the area in recent times, such as the $80 million redevelopment of West City shopping centre, the $14 million upgrade of Henderson Aquatic Centre and the ongoing redevelopment of the Waitemata Stadium.

One of the best aspects of living in Henderson is the suburb's close proximity to these and a host of other services and shopping opportunities.

The facilities include Waitakere Hospital and a lengthy list of medical centres, the Big Top Recreation Centre and pools, the popular Te Pai Park netball courts, heaps of libraries and enough restaurants and cafes to cater for every culture and taste.

The shopping is to be found at West City (which includes The Street entertainment complex), main street shops, K-Mart Plaza, John Henry Centre and Lincoln North Mall.

The in-zone schools include a wide choice of primary and intermediate options and the secondary schools Rutherford College, Henderson High School and Waitakere College.

Waitakere City statistics show that the Henderson/Te Atatu South/Te Atatu Peninsula and Glendene regions are young in terms of their population, with almost 40 per cent of residents being under the age of 25 and a third under 20. Following the national trend, the number of active seniors aged over 65 in the community is increasing.

While many of the homes are around 30 to 40 years old, there are some new, attractive housing developments in the Lincoln Rd area and off Sturges Rd, which offer more modern-style houses for around the $220,000 mark.

Prices vary from street to street but the average is around $180,000, which will buy an older-style, three-bedroom home on a 700sq m to 800sq m section. A well-presented, 30-year-old, four-bedroom home in a desirable street would fetch around $210,000.

Boasting its fair share of parks and green spaces and within easy reach of the West Coast beaches, Henderson offers affordable living and heaps to do.