Susan Wei reckons she's been in most of Auckland's apartment buildings, either living in them or looking through them when planning to buy a studio apartment to live in with her young son.
"This is one of the bigger studio apartments," she says.
"It is a good-sized apartment for a studio and I've seen most of the others in the city. And we liked the balcony because most others are shared or have glass where you can see through. This one is more private," she says of her home on level three of the Tower Wing of the Nelson St's Heritage building, which is a mix of owner-occupied apartments and hotel rooms.
Susan bought the apartment about two years ago. Before that she had been living on the Shore and then Auckland's CBD after coming to live in New Zealand from Taiwan.
"I bought this apartment because I have a little boy, but now that he is older he is also the reason I am selling," she says.
"Part of the reason I bought here is that my mum loves the facilities ... the indoors and outdoors pools, the gym, sauna and the tennis court. I've been in the indoors pool and I like sitting beside the rooftop pool because it has a lovely view."
From her west-facing balcony she can look up at the New Years' fireworks at the Sky Tower.
"I don't really have a view but I do have a view of the tower."
Susan works next door to the apartments "so I don't have to sit in traffic". She can pop into work, drop off her laptop then take her son to daycare nearby and return to work.
"I don't need to walk on the street, which is great because I do a lot of night work, so it's safe.
"I do like the building's security. And even though I don't really get a view, it's private and very sheltered, which is good because Auckland does get strong winds. And I do get a bit of afternoon sun. It's also quiet, really good for sleeping."
The compact apartment is open-plan with kitchenette on the right -- room for bench, sink, small fridge, oven and dishwasher and microwave. The bathroom is on the left with a large shower, vanity and toilet and then the bedroom/lounge and ranchslider access to the balcony.
Image 1 of 6: You can work, play and have a quiet place to lay your head, all within walking distance
"The bathroom and balcony are big. And I get free Sky TV plus the body corp covers hot and cold water so my monthly electricity bill is only really for the lights and about $20."
When she's not working, Susan takes her son to Victoria Park or to the playground near Wynyard Wharf. She shops at New World and Countdown in the CBD.
She's moving in her with her mum when the apartment sells and hopes to buy a place with land for her son to run around.
"And then I will be like everyone else, sitting in the traffic."
