Meadowbank

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR

This appealing area with its mix of old and new homes on good-sized sections has always been a popular Auckland suburb.

Almost divided by St Johns Rd, which is the continuation of Remuera Rd, the area had a building boom 20 to 30 years ago. The result was many solid homes with generous living areas and double garaging built on generous, family-sized sections, about 600sq m to 800sq m.

These, plus the mix of older established homes and newer townhouses and developments, which seem to blend seamlessly into the landscape, give the area a lived-in, friendly feel. The most appealing aspect of living here is its sense of spaciousness. Generally, sections are fenced and tidy and not butted up to their neighbours.

The friendly atmosphere of this suburb, which has markedly grown in popularity, is also benefiting from another trend. Many families with school-age children are buying in the area, taking advantage of the house prices, instead of fighting with other buyers looking in the Grammar zones. These residents are choosing to enrol their children in private schools and enjoying the extra disposable income saved on houses by making the most of what's at their doorstep.

Meadowbank is so close to the waterfront you can smell it. The easy access to the bays allows residents to enjoy all they have to offer, and then retire at the end of the day to an area that is quiet, safe and relaxed. Furthermore, Auckland Domain and One Tree Hill are just down the road.

Serviced by one of the best supermarkets in Auckland, Meadowbank is also a stone's throw from Newmarket, Pakuranga, Howick and Botany Downs. And commuting to most parts of Auckland is easy. The city can be accessed along the waterfront or by the motorway, the eastern arterial has made the airport more accessible and the proposed eastern corridor will improve access, by road and rail, to Howick and Botany Downs.

Although there aren't a lot of schools in Meadowbank, the local primary schools have solid reputations and are well regarded. And being on major bus routes makes travelling to nearby secondary and intermediate schools easy.

If you are looking for a stable area, friendly neighbours and a peaceful lifestyle, you would be hard pushed to beat Meadowbank.

HOUSE PRICES

The house prices in this area have increased dramatically in the past year. Meadowbank's handy location near the city with good rail and vehicle access has meant many people favour this area when relocating.

An example of how prices have increased is a recent sale in Tahapa St - a fibrolite, ex-state on a decent-sized section - which went for $470,000. In more desirable streets, homes are fetching even higher prices with a few being up to and more than $1 million.

On average, you are looking to pay more than $300,000 for a tired ex-state with two or three bedrooms. For an average three- to four-bedroom home on a section of about 600-700sq m you would expect to pay from about $450,000, with the majority being in the $500,000s.