good auckland suburbs!

Conifer grove looks lovely, but Manurewa is the crime capital of NZ, so I'd avoid that area if I were you, mostly in regards to schools etc.

I live on the shore and I love it. But puke is nice too, if your lucky you may get someting slightly rural. Do you need to be in south auckland

If you have to be in south akld, Beachlands rocks! Its 15 mins from Botany, 20 mins from mwy. Ferry goes right into town hourly. Very friendly community, lots of mums & bubs here - the kind of place you can walk barefoot down the middle of the road :-) And lots of beaches, rock pools & even an island that the kids can explore.....love it here :-)

We moved up from chch about 6 months ago, and briefly lived in one of the new subdivisions in Takanini, absolutely hated it. Have to be in easy reach of airport for both our jobs and it only takes 35 mins from b.lands - no traffic ever!

Are you renting or buying?

eta - but in saying that, when I lived in akld 10 years ago I lived in Mt Eden, Balmoral & Ponsonby - all of which were great, but we can't afford now :-(

Edited by squoggs

raspberryjam no it doesnt need to be south auckland. good trains would be a bonus tho cause hubby works in town.

and i think we would be buying...

which would rule out beachlands, nice area though!

Edited by Bizzy

Raspberryjam wrote: Manurewa is the crime capital of NZ, so I'd avoid that area if I were you, mostly in regards to schools etc.

Pff. I grew up in Manurewa - it's really not that bad! (Well, some areas are nicer than others).

Hillpark Primary School is excellent (my mum taught there for years) and the area around there is really nice. (Botanic Gardens etc)

Alternatively, you could try out West. (It's best, you know ) There is the soon to be finished train link upgrade from New Lynn, and some nice pockets around that area. Plus it's only about a 20 min drive into town...

Hillpark Primary is great, my friends daughter goes there. She grew up in Manurewa and has recently moved to The Gardens its a lovely neighbourhood, my cousin is more Alfriston way and semi rural its really nice, not sure about affordability though, they've both got hefty mortgages.

The only hassle with west is transport and commuting for work.

I'm a central girl myself, Mt Albert, Sandringham, OTH, Mt Eden all fab suburbs.

Joscia wrote: [QUOTE=Raspberryjam] Manurewa is the crime capital of NZ, so I'd avoid that area if I were you, mostly in regards to schools etc.

Pff. I grew up in Manurewa - it's really not that bad! (Well, some areas are nicer than others).

Oh yeah for sure, there are bits like that all over auckland, but if your just looking at the numbers. And if you had a choice, like Bizzy does at the moment, wouldnt you choose a better area.

I've lived in Pakuranga, Ellerslie, Westmere, Kohimaramara, Glendowie, Grafton, Northcote Point, Milford and Takapuna.

Gotta say after living on the Shore I wouldn't go back to the 'other side'. People over here seem more laid back and tend to be more outdoorsy.

Birkdale and Beachhaven are good calls so long as the ferry is a suitable commute option. You can get some good properties out that way at reasonable prices. However it takes forever to drive towards the city because it's out on the point. But there are malls close by and bus services.

My mum lives in Pakuranga heights - if you can afford to be 'up the hill' then it's a pretty nice area too.

ETA: It makes me laugh it's called 'the heights' now. When she got it it was just up a hill but I guess the area's got more desirable since then.

Edited by Bobbie

We're in Avondale (within spitting distance of New Lynn) and there are still affordable houses here to buy. We only bought here in November, after renting for 4 years in Ponsonby. I go for a walk every day around some great parks and by the estuary and the gym is a 5 min drive away which is great for when I negotiate some time away! I'm not sure about schools (Alex is only 2 months so I figure I have some time to sort that out) but the commute to town isn't bad at all - 20-30mins.

I don't know anything about South Auckland sorry, you do tend to live in your own area and since we were living basically in town and working there too we didn't get out and about much!

Deb I've lived in Papakura nearly 23 years, Conifer Grove is fine - I can tell you the 'patchy/dodgy' parts, infact you can actually just get a good feel for a place by driving through it. But yeah that is Takanini - not manurewa LOL!

Gosh I live on my own with a kid and im not far from town (Papakura) town, it's not that rough. Sure lots of diff cultures and trouble makers, but they are in Papatoe just as much as Manurewa, Puke and anywhere. Puke has been known for gang and P issues in the past too. I'd stay clear of any areas that have state housing coz that's usually where you will find the 'bad eggs'.

So basically from my experience these are the good parts of papakura - Opaheke area is generally good, and going out towards Drury (left hand side Gt South Rd) is good, Pahurehure is EXCELLENT area and the pocket my parents have lived in for 26+ years is awesome too. Areas to be avoided, all the lower part and anywhere near Redhill (Redcrest etc is pretty bad) thats all the newer subdivisions and state housing etc. Dominion Road, Cargill St, ValentineSt etc all that area surrounding wouldn't touch with a bardge pole. Anywhere near the rail lines don't go there. Infact if you find a house you're interested in just give me a buzz, tell me the street and ill be able to say yes or no. From trying to find a rental for 6 months and learning all the streets i know the good from bad! Hope i can be of some help to you, should you decide to move these ways :)

[QUOTE=.Mel] I loved living in Onehunga, but I love living in Orewa even more!

QUOTE]

we love orewa too!! can you let me know if you see a 3 bed rental for under $400 a week!!