Parnell

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Parnell will always be recognised as one of Auckland's premier and most popular boutique shopping strips, and its urban legend status will forever endure as the suburb where President Bill Clinton decided to go shopping.

Gracing the shopping strip are most of the leading fashion houses, art galleries and some of Auckland's best restaurants and trendiest cafes. It is a great place to while away an afternoon or a whole day. Be prepared to extend on your credit card, however, as the offerings are not bargain basement.

Steeped in colonial and urban history, Parnell is a suburb that attracts a diverse cross section of residents. Its close proximity to the central city is a huge selling point and is often quoted as a reason for wanting to live there by many of its residents. "Indeed, Parnell affords me the opportunity of mixing with my clients both socially and professionally in some of the city's most pleasant and desirable settings," says one young professional resident. Being only a few minutes' drive from the city and Newmarket, on fine days it is also a pleasant walk, making it popular with professionals, retirees and students alike.

Many families have lived their entire lives in the area with numerous generations raising their own families here as well.

Parnell prides itself on some of Auckland's grand old ladies - including Historic Places Trust houses - and is brimming with many beautifully renovated villas and bungalows. Situated on a slope, many houses in Parnell step down the hillside, enjoying spectacular sea views of Rangitoto to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Many families with secondary school-age children also flock to the area because it is in zone for Auckland Boys Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar and it is also close to many private schools. Bordered by the Auckland Domain, Judges Bay and the Rose Gardens, these residents are never short of a green expanse in which to pursue recreational activities.

And these don't just stop with a casual stroll. There are three tennis clubs, including the ASB Bank Tennis Centre, and a public swimming pool. The Parnell Baths have been subjected to considerable revamping, thereby retaining another slice of Auckland's history.

The village atmosphere of Parnell is sophisticated and quaint, and modern trends have affected the local architecture negligibly. However, modern architecture has made a subtle mark in Parnell with sleek townhouses tucked behind older homes. These townhouses generally sell for $800,000-plus with some older bungalows and villas easily passing the million-dollar-plus figure.

This suburb is also home to many units and apartments, which are in high demand. Depending whether they are freehold or leasehold, these can start from $400,000-plus.

Proudly sitting at the top of the hill overlooking the parish is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is used by many of Auckland's residents, especially during the festive season and at Easter.

Although many section sizes are small, and your neighbour's houses are literally just over the fence, Parnell oozes atmosphere and this is most unlikely to change. A relatively settled suburb, it does, however, have the odd student passing through its borders during their stint at the University of Auckland or AUT, which are just across the valley.

Other leisure activities close by include the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Anglican Cathedral, while the Olympic Swimming Pool and Gymnasium complex is very popular. Newmarket's retail, cinema and restaurant facilities are also nearby.