Kingsland/ Arch Hill

Once the elite of Auckland's inner-city suburbs, Kingsland has enjoyed a colourful revival of fortunes in the past five or six years as homeowners began moving back into their previously tenanted homes or selling them to keen renovators.

These little pieces of our architectural history - workingmen's cottages and neat, no-nonsense villas - appeal to young professionals, singles, couples and the gay community. An added attraction is the arty, ethnic community which centres around the vibrant New North Rd cafe and shopping strip.

Although separated from Kingsland by the north-western motorway, the intimate suburb of Arch Hill has a very similar flavour to it neighbour.

Late last century Kingsland was, for a time, the place to live in Auckland. Then, as with today, lifestyle trends and land values saw residential areas rise and fall in popularity. Kingsland fell from favour about the time that nearby Freemans Bay (formerly the workingmen's precinct) acquired a prestigious tag.

Now, at the turn of this century, the preservation of many of those original homes in heritage streets such as Cooper Street, means additions and alterations are bound by strict design guidelines. As a result, you can see replica homes being built on the few cross-leased sites - sub-dividable property is scarce here because the sites aren't big enough under current zoning requirements.

While families will look to nearby Eden Tce, or Ponsonby and Grey Lynn for big, return verandahs, here the villas are simpler, smaller and perfectly suited to first-home buyers or professionals looking for an alternative to city apartment living.