Kingsland

BY CHARLOTTE COSSAR

The place to be for groovy urbanites, this once less-than-desirable area is now humming to the sound of coffee machines, up-to-the-minute celebrity and society gossip and the cry of wee ones following in their trendy parents' footsteps.

Defined as a bohemian and arty place to live, funky shops, galleries and cafes line the sidewalk offering residents an existence far removed from the inner city, although it's within shouting distance.

Once known as Rocky Nook, the farmland was subdivided in 1844, the post office opened in 1880, and in late 1901, the Kingsland Cricket Club rented a few acres of paddock to create a wicket - which became Eden Park.

Far removed from this humble beginning, now you are hard pushed to find any home to buy due to Kingland's recent popularity with discerning buyers.

AMENITIES

Kingsland's strip is filled with cheap and chic ethnic eateries, modern design stores, a groovy bar, boutique florists and the best pizza restaurant where, if you don't get there by 6.30pm on a Friday, you could be waiting for some time, according to local agent Judy Toussaint of Ray White, Ponsonby.

Buses are a dime a dozen and run frequently to the city, although with a good pair of runners, it's not a bad walk.

And for those with a fitness bent, there are two parks with facilities for skateboarding, basketball and rugby.

HOMES

House styles range from Victorian villas to transitional villas and Californian bungalows, and due to the small size of most sections few are subdivided leading to a lack of newer townhouses.

Scattered among these villas are a few odd replica dwellings, and the once unsightly area at the bottom of School Rd has recently been transformed and now there is a group of terrace houses in a park-like setting. This has increased the value of properties in Fourth Ave.

Prices have increased dramatically during the past 18 months, ranging from around $400,000 for a do-up to almost $600,000 for a decent three-bedroom home. Although, says Judy, this may be a bit conservative in today's market.

Judy says that the average age group of buyers is around the mid 30s with many being first-time home buyers.

"Over the past 18 months most of my buyers have been ex-pat Kiwis coming home or investing for their return," she says.