Stanmore Bay

Hi 

We moved up to Stanmore Bay (from the North Shore) earlier in the year and love it up here. The kids love that the beach is so close- and there is so many to choose from- and Stanmore Bay park is great. Since we have just moved up here I am not too sure on what sheets to avoid, but its probably best to just go for a drive around and get a bit of feel for the place.

Also you might want to think about the school and the zones. We are not far from Stanmore Bay school (my daughter goes to Stanmore Bay Kindy- which is great BTW) but have heard mixed reviews about the place so have decided to send her to Stella Maris (in Silverdale - she starts in a couple of weeks) which I have heard really positive things about. From what I have heard Red Beach school and Whangaparaoa primary are good as well, but are zoned so thats something to keep in mind.

 

Def agree with it being cheaper than the Shore- the place we are in at the moment we wouldn't have been able to afford on the Shore and we are up high so get a beautiful seaview

 

If I can help further feel free to PM me

Orewa School is awesome and has no zone if you are not keen on Stanmore Bay School...Stanmore is probably the cheapest area on the Coast except for Gulf Harbour which is way too far away! It's a great suburb for young families.

We are in Gulf Harbour, and actually love it. Once you get your head around an extra few km in travel, it is a lovely, quiet place to live. As an added bonus get get more house for our $$$, and lots of young families in the area to befriend.
If I had one place on the coast I could pick to live in it would be Arkles Bay though. It is so nice down there, I have several friends on Ferry Road that all get together with their kids and spend time together. Reminds me of the Shore when i was growing up there as a kid

I don't think there is actually a 'bad' school on the coast, but it depends on your preference. They are all decile 9 or 10 and I have heard good/bad and otherwise about all of them.    

Thanks ladies. We are looking for houses now. I think Army Bay is lovely and we love Shakespeare Park but the travelling would be just a bit much as I will more than likely have to continue working on the shore.

Good to know about Arkles as had not really considered it to be honest as thought is was more south facing??

There isn't alot of houses around at the moment but will keep looking and if we can't find anything we will rent up there at the end of the year so we get settled before DS starts school.

How do you get on with tank water, travelling out of the coast in the morning (if applicable to you)?

We are on tank but are one of the few in the street - we have 3 adults in a large home, including 2 police officers/gym junkies who shower twice a day most days and to date have never had to buy water - have come close twice but the heavens have opened and we were sorted.

Even if on tank you can get connected to mains water for $2-$4k I believe if you decide you want the peace of mind. In saying that a tank of water 110L is roughly $120-$150.00, you do have to change your habits a little but we don't have an issue with that i.e. don't run water when brushing teeth or to wait for hot water - use excess to water plants or chill in fridge and restrict shower times in dry summer periods.