good auckland suburbs!

I grew up centrally (mt albert, westmere) then moved to the shore at about 11 (devonport / takapuna), then after uni always lived centrally (remuera, greenlane, parnell, town) and since meeting dh (a westie) have lived out west (henderson renting then bought our house in west harbour). Central akl is great in places but expensive. I really love the shore but the commute is a pain. I LOVE west harbour now that I've lived here a while, so safe and clean and lots of familys. I never thought I'd live out west, but I have to say I'm with all the "west is best" people now. I've done all the motorways (worked out south heaps) and the north western is by far the best commute. The southern is a nightmare either direction, and the bridge - no thanks! The shore is awesome though, if you can ferry to town or work over there. Dont know much about south (there are lots of parts I don't feel safe in though), I know a few people that have moved to puke and like it - but its so far away from anywhere else in ak (you dont see people much after they move out there!). East seems nice, but a bit out of the way too. It only takes me 10mins to get to town ponsonby/newmarket/parnell or kingsland/st lukes, or to the shore with the new motorway, and we are a long way out west (there is a ferry from here too at the marina, and I assume you could bus/drive to the train, but I haven't trained to town).

Good luck!

I live in Wattle Downs but the other end of it and have been here for nearly 7 years and they two great primary schools and kindy and it is nice going for walks around the beach in the evenings and feel "safe".

Bizzy wrote: MamaS wrote: Oooo come to Pukekohe Deb! Thats only 20 mins from Waiuku! thats one of the reasons we are thinking of it. Most of hubbys man friends are in waiuku and our main other family (as in married couple with kids) friend too.

Oh cool! I think I remember you mentioning that once before actually..
Puke and Waiuku are lovely, and waiuku is so close to heaps of awesome beaches!

Raspberryjam wrote: .Mel wrote: I loved living in Onehunga, but I love living in Orewa even more! we love orewa too!! can you let me know if you see a 3 bed rental for under $400 a week!!

I will.

Decided yet Bizz?

Thanks Mel!

Nikki wrote: I grew up centrally (mt albert, westmere) then moved to the shore at about 11 (devonport / takapuna), then after uni always lived centrally (remuera, greenlane, parnell, town) and since meeting dh (a westie) have lived out west (henderson renting then bought our house in west harbour). Central akl is great in places but expensive. I really love the shore but the commute is a pain. I LOVE west harbour now that I've lived here a while, so safe and clean and lots of familys. I never thought I'd live out west, but I have to say I'm with all the "west is best" people now. I've done all the motorways (worked out south heaps) and the north western is by far the best commute. The southern is a nightmare either direction, and the bridge - no thanks! The shore is awesome though, if you can ferry to town or work over there. Dont know much about south (there are lots of parts I don't feel safe in though), I know a few people that have moved to puke and like it - but its so far away from anywhere else in ak (you dont see people much after they move out there!). East seems nice, but a bit out of the way too. It only takes me 10mins to get to town ponsonby/newmarket/parnell or kingsland/st lukes, or to the shore with the new motorway, and we are a long way out west (there is a ferry from here too at the marina, and I assume you could bus/drive to the train, but I haven't trained to town). Good luck!

Totally off topic, but I think that is why I thought your partner looked so familiar .. he is a born and bred westie, so I probably know him "from the hood"

I'm on the west is best camp .. however if commuting was no object .. id live in Browns Bay

havent read most of the posts on here....but -

you know me and I turned out ok (i think!) and I grew up in Conifer (schools good and a nice community spirit!!!) - "the environmental subdivision" as it used to be advertised at the movies in the 80s! LOL!

you know where I work - and have to say Hillpark is a nice pocket as is the gardens...but it is a pocket of the rest of it!!! Ill give u moreeinsight into areas around there if you want - email me!

I adore east auckland....kinda a new conifer but with loads more to do. I do miss conifers laid back nature and walks etc...and occasionally youll find me lunching by the water there!

East auckland also has pockets tho - and be VERY careful with school zones if you want a better school than another....they can be rigidly tight zones!

I have personally NEVER wanted to live on north shore...not me at all! and dont like west auck (started there and took DH from there!) and am not an older style house person so ignored onehunga etc etc as options too....and you could not pay me to live in mangere!!!! Pukekohe has some lovely pockets and good schools - check as a couple are not so geat!!! Papakura Im not so fond of....again email me if you want to chat more!