New Lynn

By ROBYN WELSH

Everything from affordable character homes to sophisticated, contemporary medium-density housing makes up the landscape that is New Lynn, a small, established suburb known as "the hub of West Auckland because it is so well-placed for commuters to both Auckland City and Waitakere City.

Clear trends are seeing buyers in the baby boomers age bracket making the move into the suburb's smart terraced-house developments, including Skilgate off Titirangi Rd, where prices start from $270,000, and the prestigious Tuscany Towers development, priced up to $300,000.

These are among the higher-priced developments among several on the market in New Lynn.

Elsewhere, developments in Delta Ave, close to the revitalised Lynnmall shopping centre and local strip shopping, The Glen off Titirangi Rd, and the Crown Lynn development on the site of the old Crown Lynn pottery works, are all attracting buyers who, as in other suburbs, tend to move within their chosen suburb as their lifestyles change.

These buyers in their 50s, whose adult children have left home, are opting to cash up their bungalow, cottage and villa homes on quarter-acre blocks in favour of homes requiring less upkeep.

In doing so, they're freeing up older homes to buyers with the energy to restore, rebuild and landscape the generous grounds.

Equally, many of these properties are being subdivided to accommodate stand-alone townhouses as yet another lifestyle option.

Reasonably close to the city and the airport, New Lynn is a 15-minute non-rush hour drive to town. The rail link offers another transport option.