Whitford

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR

If any suburb in Auckland conjures up the image of the lifestyle property owner's dream then Whitford and nearby Clevedon would definitely take the cake. Not really a suburb, Whitford is rather a collection of beautifully preserved farmlets - some of which are not so small - and a delightful village atmosphere.

The region exudes the dream lifestyle - lush land, gracious homes and farmhouses and quaint cottages in a country village off the beaten track yet only 40 minutes, outside of peak traffic, from downtown Auckland.

The close-knit community feel of the area means residents feel involved yet retain their private sanctuary behind their fences.

The region was settled about 150 years ago when the McNicol and Hoye families took up land holdings in the valley. They travelled up the Wairoa River (Clevedon River) and landed where the present bridge crosses the river near the village.

Now known for its strong links to the horse industry - its polo fields, including the Auckland Polo Club flagship McNicol Field, racing and trotting training establishments and specialised horse-related properties - the area was originally a dairy, orchard and general farming area.

People wanting to experience a genuine country lifestyle mainly drive the demand for properties in the area, and it generally attracts well-heeled families who love horses, a country lifestyle and glorious rolling hills.

And could there be a nicer area to live? With a famous golf course and country club nearby and sprawling homes with libraries, drawing rooms and formal living areas and enough space on the sections for a pool, tennis court and cottage for the gardener, Whitford and its surrounding area has to be the pick of the crop for those wanting a life away from the city and all its trappings.

The lack of urban amenities in the area is hardly a drawback as the close proximity to Botany Town Centre and Manukau City more than compensate. Lack of public transport is also not viewed as a problem, as the drive to the CBD, even in peak hour, is no worse than journeys made from suburban locations. To avoid parking and driving stress, the Pine Harbour Ferry service leaves for the city from 6.30am weekday mornings, and you can catch it back again from Auckland as late as 6.30pm.

If you can stand to pull yourself away from the lovely properties in the area, there are a few local vineyards producing some award-winning wines, some wonderful boutique shops to browse through and great cafes and restaurants in which to enjoy the local produce.

The amenities include excellent primary and intermediate schooling as well as tennis, bowling, pony, boating and fishing clubs.

Subdividing in the area is restricted to stop too much development in the city's rural fringe, so the region has some lovely big sections of mainly fertile, flat land.

Properties include smaller family homes (on 1500sq m sections) in the village, priced from the mid-$500,000s. Blocks of bare land - of all shapes and sizes but with good views towards the sea as well as other interesting landmarks - will sell for anywhere above $500,000 and often into the $1 million-plus bracket. Homes on lifestyle blocks also vary widely in price, but you can expect to pay from $650,000 to well over the $4 million mark.