St Johns

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR

Another of Auckland's historical suburbs, St Johns provides everything that is desirable about living in the city's central east area. The suburb is divided into St Johns itself and the fashionable St Johns Park located in the surrounds of the Remuera Golf Course.

Probably the most notable landmark is the St Johns Theological College - which gives the suburb its name - providing tertiary level education for both the Anglican and Methodist churches.

Situated as a junction point between St Heliers and Kohimarama to the east, Glen Innes and Panmure to the south and Remuera and Meadowbank to the north, St Johns is an attractive location for many desiring closeness to the city yet requiring proximity to some of Auckland's best beaches as well as numerous retail and service amenities.

As 17-year St Johns resident Anne says: "I feel as though I have everything by living here - affordable housing, direct public transport routes to my workplace in the CBD and the ability to buy whatever I need at a convenient supermarket and a number of retail outlet stores just down the road."

Real estate prices vary considerably in St Johns. It is possible to purchase reasonable three- to four-bedroom family homes from the mid- to late-$200,000s and into the $300,000s. Investors are attracted to the area with the high demand for rental accommodation in the suburb. Moving further towards the aptly named St Johns Park, prices increase appreciably. Surrounding the Remuera Golf Course and unfolding across former St Johns Trust land towards Meadowbank and Remuera, values move from the late $400,000s all the way through to $1 million plus. Families obtain good value in this area - section sizes range over 600sq m and the homes tend to have three or more bedrooms.

Aside from closeness to recreational facilities, St Johns is close to many retail and other service facilities. The Meadowbank shopping complex with its large Foodtown store was revamped about six years ago and is popular with locals. Down the road on the Mt Wellington Highway, there are well patronised mega centres including The Warehouse, Noel Leemings, Rebel Sports, Plastic Box and an Ezibuy retail store.

Local leisure facilities include Mt Wellington itself, Waiatarua Reserve - very popular with joggers and weekend strollers - and, of course, the Remuera Golf Course. The impressive University sports fields and McDonald's tennis centre on Merton Rd are certainly of the highest quality. St Johns Theological College has pleasant grounds. Also close at hand is Ellerslie Racecourse.

Educational services in the area are also noteworthy. There are Montessori schools in Ellerslie and a Lollipops Playland on the Ellerslie Racecourse grounds. Schools are good with Meadowbank Primary and Selwyn College being in the zone. Not to be overlooked is the Tamaki Campus of the University of Auckland - fast developing a reputation as an educational centre of excellence.