Hobsonville

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Sea, sea and more sea. That is what you expect and that is exactly what you get in the seaside suburb of Hobsonville. However, it is hard to talk on this area without mention of its very close (and recently new in Auckland terms) neighbour, West Harbour.

Exceptional sea views and access to the harbour make these areas a haven for people passionate about boats and water sports. West Harbour with its developed marina, surrounded by spectacular homes, is a central attraction for all who live in the area. On offer are great eateries, a fabulous place to park your boat, wonderful facilities and many industries supporting the boating industry.

Real estate agent Jenny Thorpe, of Barfoot & Thompson, says with views across the harbour and city this area has become very popular, especially in the past 18 months. "Hobsonville is not a large area but there is a good standard of housing and it is a safe place to live."

Being only a 15-minute drive from the central business district, in off-peak traffic, of course, you are never too far from the bright lights - and you can always view them from the comfort of you own home.

AMENITIES

Hobsonville and West Harbour have "drop-in" shops that cater for most of the day-to-day needs, and for your larger weekly shop and chain stores Albany, Takapuna and Westgate are just along the road.

In an area with many young families it is not a surprise that these suburbs are well served by preschools and daycare facilities. The local primary schools, including Hobsonville Primary and Marina View Primary, have good names, and for secondary students a host of private schools nearby are popular along with Westlake boys and girls high schools, Waitakere College and Rutherford High School.

WHO LIVES HERE

There is a mix of residents living in Hobsonville and West Harbour, from young professional families with a passion for seaside living to retired folk looking for a more relaxed life away from Auckland's hub.

There are still airforce personnel in the area, and when they eventually leave it has been said often that they will be sorely missed.

DWELLINGS

Although Hobsonville and West Harbour may be very close neighbours, the type of dwellings do vary. Hobsonville has a mix of homes, from State-style duplexes through to executive residences on lifestyle blocks. West Harbour, on the other hand, has many contemporary homes on purpose-designed streets and gated communities.

HOUSE PRICES

The most sought-after location in Hobsonville is Scott Rd and in West Harbour Mansion Courts and Courtneys. However, many homes in this area have exceptional views and generally the closer you are to the marina the better - this also tends to secure your views.

For a townhouse in Hobsonville you can expect to pay upward of $300,000 and for an average four-bedroom home on a reasonable section $400,000 plus. For the top-end properties on Scott Rd you can now expect to pay in the millions.

In nearby West Harbour, you can expect to pay from $300,000 for a three-bedroom home and more than $1 million for designer waterfront houses.