[Familyofmonkeys]

I'm gonna be working in the CBD, but my family and I are more out in the sticks kind of people. I currently commute 1 - 1.25 hrs each way to work, and want to reduce that, but am happy to keep at around an hour if it means I'm away from the smoke and near the beach and bush (Beach 'n' Bush - sounds like it should be a pub name)...

Anyway, I digress. Opinions on Titirangi. I've aleady read the "Where to Live in Auckland" book, and had a look on a couple of web sites, but I'm looking for more personal views on the area.

Personal situation - Wife and three young children (4, 2 and 3 months). Arriving in Auckland in May.

Thanks in advance.

[dharder]

I don't live there, so can't tell you what it is really like, but...

Titirangi was my preferred choice in Auckland, I thought it looked and felt absolutely lovely when we drove through and around it. There seem to be good primary schools in the area, one in particular (but with a zone), and there seemed to be some houses out there in our price range. I really liked the fact that it was so bush-y, so different from where we live now that you'd really feel like you are somewhere else.

I could only find two things not that good: one would be the commute, and the other the apparent lack of secondary schools (we're not quite there yet, but I don't necessarily want to uproot the kids once again when we get to that stage).

For a number of reasons, among them the secondary school issue and relatives, we will now live at the other end of Auckland, but I still think Titirangi looks good.

Daniela

[kanatakiwi]

I love it, my husband (kiwi) doesnt. He dislikes the bush, I think its wonderful, has a tropical feel. House prices vary a lot but there are still some bargains over there, some with great views, a nice little village, and as you say close to great beaches. There at least eight primary schools in this high-decile area, including a Rudolf Steiner School. Green Bay High School is the local co-ed secondary although children also travel to Kelston's two single-sex high schools. Lots of arts events happening out there, and a monthly market as well.

[Manny]

We initially looked around in Titirangi as well when we first moved to NZ. It's one of the better areas in West Auckland but the negative is that it is so incredibly damp because of the bush. Some of the houses we saw were literally rotting away. Keep in mind that when you buy a house or a plot of land there, you can't just take away trees because it is all native bush, it's protected.
I did have the 'wow, that seems nice' feeling when first driving around until I had seen some houses. I'm also more of an open space kind of person so I couldn't live there.

I really feel that you need to live in NZ for a while before you can really make up your mind on where to live. It took us 2 years to find a place we really like.

Good luck!
Manny

[KerryS]

I have friends out in Titirangi. Beautiful house in a bush setting, but quite damp, as Manny said above.
There is good access to the CBD, although you can get sun strike in both directions, as you are travelling with the sun. There is a train, but recently there have been problems on that line, causing delays. (Nothing if you're used to London trains though!)
It is rural, but with a nice village feel, but still very commutable to the city. Easy access to the beach as well, and excellent surfing beaches too.

I once considered moving to Oratia or even Laingholm, but realised I just couldn't live without the buzz of the city just yet. I'm sure I shall one day.

[westies]

Hi There
We have been in Titirangi for 1 year now and here are our thoughts. Probably the best part of West Auckland, the village life is great, bustling centre with lots going on,its nice to sit outside the Hardware Cafe and watch the world go by, the commute is not to bad, depending on what time you leave for the CBD, anytime after 0715 then expect it to be gridlocked. I work in the centre of Auckland but work shifts so always miss the rush, and am home in 20 minutes easy!! The bush setting is lovely lots of birdlife, we are not right in the bush, and our house receives the sun for the whole day, so we don't have to deal with the damp which is a problem obviously if you get no sun.
All of the Primary Schools in the area are great, and the Intermediate Glen Eden is good too, we have 2 girls of 4 & 9 both have settled really well. A short drive will take you in any direction, particularly nice are the West Coast beaches, amazing views, these are however surf beaches so not that safe for the kids.
Overall we have loved living in Titirangi, but it does have its downsides, for us these are lack of nice sandy beaches which are within walking distance, you do have to drive everywhere. Also our main concern is schooling following Intermediate, if my daughter was at the age to go to High School now then I would be seriously looking into private education, this is not to say that things won't change over the next few years, and as mentioned in another post Green Bay High School is getting much better, which is an option.
We are now seriously looking at the Hibiscus Coast, it really seems to have what we want, but for our first year in NZ we definately have no regrets with coming to Titirangi, we have met some amazing people which I am sure will be friends for life.
Such a hard decision where to live, but if you can move this far, then to change suberbs in our opinion really is no big deal.
Good luck with your move.
Tracey

[Nienke]

We've been living in Titirangi for almost a year now and loving it so far. We love the bush, the Waitekere ranges, the beautiful west coast, the village feel of Titirangi. We do have a nice dry house, but yes, you have to watch out for that when looking to buy or rent.
Good primary schools, one good intermediate but no decent secondary schools around (yet!). My son is only 4, so that is not a problem for another 10 years or so.
Nice beaches reasonably close to the village, like Cornwallis beach which is really good for children.
If you're into hiking, the Waitakeres are at your doorstep.
Several large shopping malls are not that far away either, the biggest being Westfield in Henderson.
I don't think I would want to live anywhere else at the moment!