Waterview

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR

With trouble-free access to the city and an array of amenities on Auckland's west urban edge, Waterview has assumed the mantle as a suburb of choice for many professionals seeking character family houses on large, easy-care sections.

Synergy Plus business and human development consultants Dave and Joanne Neither have lived in the suburb for more than 10 years. Says Joanne: "We were initially impressed by the magnificent potential of the area. After purchasing our bungalow - which is situated on the garden land of the original Waterview homestead - we rented it out, but decided to move back in ourselves. We began renovating and have stayed put in this location ever since."

Being two minutes from the motorway, Dave and Joanne see Waterview as the perfect location for their home-based business. It is also close to good schools and - contrary to popular opinion - is not noisy. "While we've been tempted to look at bigger houses in other suburbs, we keep returning to Waterview," says Joanne.

The area has a strong sense of community. There is a wonderful Neighbourhood Watch network and people do look after each other. The recently remodelled and replanted Heron Park is close at hand and the sense of nature is never far away with, as the name would imply, delightful views across the waterways.

The suburb is often seen as an in-between area, without its own village centre or shopping mall as such. This is not regarded as a deterrent, however, as it's close to the city and amenities in every direction, which compensates for any perceived shortcomings.

In one direction there are the cafes, parks and beaches of Pt Chevalier, while in the other direction is Avondale. Lynn Mall and St Lukes shopping centres are nearby and with a quick venture up the northwestern motorway, there is Westgate. For the artistically inclined, the West Coast beaches are easily accessible. There are also numerous gyms, an ice-skating rink and sports clubs.

Real estate prices are reasonable. While there are examples of exclusive properties reaching over the $1 million mark, family homes are averaging between $450,000 and $550,000. Rental units also sell well in the $200,000s.

Ray White agent Peter Cashmore, who specialises in the area, says Waterview is quickly changing and very much in demand, particularly for first-home buyers. "Affordability, under-valued water views, tranquillity, close proximity to Unitec and good city access attract purchasers to the suburb. Properties turn around fairly quickly," he says.

Also specialising in the area, Vincent Barnao of Anne Duncan Team Advantage, agrees and adds: "It is the next coastal suburb in the urban sprawl."