Ranui

The gateway to the Waitakeres, Ranui is expanding its boundaries and now includes a selection of new developments.

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Ranui is a suburb endearing to - and typical of - much of Waitakere City. The people are diverse and the landscape is ripe for some wonderful housing developments and activity. Nestled between Henderson, Henderson Heights, suburban Swanson and Massey, Ranui occupies a unique position, close to the railway and other public transport as well as schools, shops and parks.

The area is separated into the suburbs of Ranui and Ranui Heights. The Ranui Heights area is closer to Swanson and tends to have higher-priced housing. This part is closer to the vineyard neighbourhood - in particular the well-known St Jeromes Vineyard. St Jeromes provides pleasant environs for the local residents with the changing hues all year round. With the famous Babich Vineyard off Simpson Rd, there is ample reason for visitors to come in and sample the offerings. Spring and summer are particularly pleasant as the vines blossom into delightful bursts of colour. St Jeromes Vineyard is generally harvested every Easter.

Ranui is a suburb ideal for investors. Many low-income families live in the locality and three-bedroom homes are readily snapped up and quickly tenanted.

The Pooks Rd vicinity has been vastly improved with the advent of new housing surrounding the railway line - which has a regular train service to the city via Henderson, New Lynn and Newmarket.

Being close to the Lincoln Rd northwestern motorway interchange means commuting is relatively hassle-free - especially in off-peak hours.

Eagerly sought-after are many Ranui Heights properties. Indeed, these are often located on acreages and provide lifestyle opportunities that are still not far from the central city. These houses, close to the Henderson Heights area, can fetch around the $1 million mark. Pleasant housing on the ridge overlooking Swanson to the Waitakere Ranges is selling for the mid-to late $300,000s. This location is particularly attractive to buyers seeking a rural environment a stone's throw from the urban sprawl.

Houses in Ranui itself sell from the late $100,000s to the late $200,000s. Retail facilities are close by with the popular Henderson Shopping Centre. The more spread out and open Westgate is just at the end of Don Buck Rd. From here, visits to rural Massey, Waitakere, Taupaki, Waimauku and Kumeu are easy. There is a wonderful community spirit in Ranui and residents look after each other. The ever-popular Swanson Railway Station cafe is close by as are the artisan stores in Swanson village.