It would be intriguing to meet the developers of the Unsworth Heights area to find out about their passion for birds: every winding avenue has an avian name (stopping when the streets reach Barbados, where fancy turns to the Caribbean).
While no doubt they were fully aware of the highway plans 15 or 20 years ago when the suburb was opened, they probably would have had no idea of how quickly the industrial parks and shopping strips on Constellation Drive would open up to make their suburb even more attractive.
Certainly, when Sandra Clark moved to nearby Hillcrest from Britain 11 years ago, this land was only just being opened up. As well as the feathery names, the developers had also put some thought into the roads' design.
Curving closes and winding streets mean traffic is calmed and child-friendly. At the area's entrance is a great selection of shops -- dairy, takeaways, fruit and vege, a medical centre, even a smart new cafe -- making it an easy stroll for weekend pottering or topping up groceries. When Sandra was ready to downsize to an easy-care brick and tile place, this was the perfect solution.
"We're on the crest of the hill, and there is no through traffic, so we don't hear the motorway, but get the views across the valley to Albany hills and bush," she says. "I can park and ride from the Constellation Drive busway right into my job at Auckland Hospital. It's so easy. There's a great Nosh and a Farro on Constellation, or it's a quick trip up to Albany now."
With one daughter already left home, the other on her way, they are rattling around in the house, so Sandra is selling to move to a smaller place at Orewa.
Image 1 of 4: Plenty of room to spread out and relax in an easy-care house in a pleasant neighbourhood,
The house has been an ideal family base, as there is plenty of outdoor living -- an attractive aggregate entrance court at the front, a sheltered sun-drenched deck to the north, a sunny slot next to the laundry for the clothesline -- and enough lawn for her new rescue dog. No hours of mowing and maintenance, just as she'd planned.
She laughs that while the more formal of the two living rooms, and the generous dining bay, are barely used these days as she and daughter Laura congregate at the kitchen bar or in the TV lounge, it's roomy enough for a huge sectional sofa. The deck has even more space for lounging and dining.
The kitchen sits in the heart of the home, still very smart after 14 years, complete with a new dishwasher.
The master bedroom opens to its own, smaller, deck, and has a walk-through wardrobe and handy ensuite, both with sleek pocket sliding doors. There are two more double bedrooms, the family bathroom with separate loo and, in this bedroom wing, a small office/study.
The double garage is spacious enough for a laundry zone and storage, but could easily fit a workshop or even more rumpus space for rambunctious kids on rainy days.
Sandra recently had the whole house repainted in modern shades of stone and beige. Her friendly painter did an immaculate job -- the house looks brand new. She also had clever double blinds installed -- a sheer for privacy and sun control, topped by a solid blind for night and winter cosiness.
Window placement means a pleasant cross breeze in summer and there are cooling ceiling fans. A heat pump, good insulation and smaller heaters in bedrooms keep everything cosy in winter.
Tucked throughout the suburb are walking and cycle paths. You'd miss them from the road, but they run past small streams, playgrounds and exercise parks. Sandra imagines her family-size house being enjoyed by a busy family who, like her, would rather spend their leisure time enjoying the neighbourhood, not working on their houses.
