KEY POINTS:
Western Springs is a bit of an undiscovered gem. The suburb is not where most Aucklanders would expect it to be - around the edges of the Western Springs Stadium - but on the other side of the northwestern motorway.
Full of character villas and bungalows and on a sunny, north-facing slope, this central suburb has defined boundaries.
Only 5km to Auckland's CBD, Western Springs' immediate neighbour is Kingsland, with which it shares the border of School Rd. The boundary extends from School Rd along Western Springs Rd to St Lukes Rd, then heads east along the motorway.
With the motorway as the northern border, it is easy to get on an on-ramp and travel west, or take links to the southern motorway, the port, Parnell, and the North Shore.
Arterial roads around Western Springs are handy, too. Westfield St Lukes is nearby and locals use a motorway underpass at the end of Mountain View Rd up to Grey Lynn.
Western Springs is close to Grey Lynn, Westmere and Ponsonby, but is significantly more affordable. Entry prices for a three-bedroom home are between $500,000 and $700,000, rather than more than $700,000 for the equivalent home in Grey Lynn.
This makes it appeal to families who want to live close to the city but are priced out of the former areas.
Besides less-hefty mortgages, buyers appreciate the bigger sections, parking and wider streets, says Ruth Hawes from Ray White Kingsland.
Western Springs is also walking distance to the stadium, park, Motat and Auckland Zoo.
It is also handy to Fowlds Park, and a short drive to Mt Albert's Rocket Park and the wave pool at Philip's Aquatic Centre.
But it's not just families moving to Western Springs. Lorraine Young, from Harcourts Grey Lynn, says young professionals have bought 1960s and 1970s units in Don Croot St.
Priced around the high $200,000s, these solidly built units are close to the bars and cafes of Kingsland, and train and bus transport.
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Property prices
Entry level is high-$200,000s for a flat in Don Croot St. Brick-and-tile flats cost around $330,000, and a two-bedroom home costs $445,000. Entry level for a three-bedroom house is $535,000. Three-bedroom homes on cross-lease sites range from $550,000 to $650,000. Homes on full sites cost mid-$600,000s upwards. Upper range is $800,000 to around $1.3m.
Recent sales
Lesley and Ruth Hawes from Ray White Kingsland sold 43 Springfield Rd for $680,000. A three-bedroom, Lockwood-style 1980s home at 42A Don Croot St sold at auction for $450,000. The property was listed with Harcourts Grey Lynn.
Best streets
Western Springs and Springfield roads.
Schools
Mt Albert Primary, Kowhai Intermediate, Western Springs College, Mt Albert Grammar.
Rents
Median weekly rental prices are $270 for one bedroom, between $360 and $380 for two bedrooms, $450 for three, and $520 for four bedrooms.
