[Pink Tracy]

Hi,

I have got the book where to live in Auckland and we have decided we would like to live in West Auckland, we have two children 5 & 12 and would need to be able to commute to Auckland for work, ideally no more than 45-50 mins.

I have ideas of areas, but thought if anyone could recommend any areas we are wanting live quite rural, but with good schools.

Any suggestions?

[CJ22]

I heard there was no running water there :)

[Familyofmonkeys]

We used to live in West Harbour which is a nice area. during rush hour the bus takes 45-50 minutes to CBD and there is a commuter ferry that takes about 30 minutes to CBD. Nice area, Westgate nearby for plenty of shopping and supermarket, plenty of Doctors and Dentists in area and both Marina View and Hobsonville Schools are decile 10. Downside is that most activities etc for pre-schoolers have very long waiting lists and there is no high school. Most older kids bus to either North Shore or Massey/Henderson for high school. From what I can gather (from our old neighbours) going to North Shore was more desirable, but many kids went to the local high school in Massey.

[JandM]

The water thing is NO problem at all. The houses have rainwater tanks (with filters and all that's necessary - pretty high-tech), from which the water is automatically pumped into the house as you use it and you don't notice any difference from being on the mains whatever. (This knowledge comes from living in the house we rented for five weeks last year.) Also, there's no shortage of water - it's RAIN forest.:)

[Pink Tracy]

Thanks, you got me slightly concerned about the water!!!

I will have a good read on te schools then you have suggested, cheers.

[randomone]

I have lived in West Auckland and have friends who live there now. I've never heard of anyone having issues with water. There are even golf courses out there - so definitely no water issues. It rains quite alot though due to the waitakere ranges

[westi]

We lived in Swanson which is semi rural with a nice village and a train station so you could get the train or bus to work if you wanted.
Son went to Waitakere college which suited him very well, there's also Massey High.
Oh yes - we had runing water too !!

[Pink Tracy]

Thanks for that, your starting eliviate my worry anout water!!!!

Whats Helensville like? Is it too far out to commute?

[JandM]

Helensville - we stopped there and shopped several times, and it was a pleasant little town from that point of view, with helpful, nice people in shops and cafe. But obviously, I don't know 'living' details.

[Twig]

My husbands cousin who lives in North Auckland said Titirangi was very nice, especially for families to want to live in a pretty rural area (it's very 'tropical' i.e. lots and lots of trees) but not too far from CBD. If we were going to Auckland we would seriously consider moving here. Property prices are reasonable too.

[JandM]

Titirangi is where our son's family live. It's very attractive, and the little centre is pleasant - interesting shops, several good cafes and restaurants, library, little theatre, and a great craft market, every month I think.

[Pink Tracy]

Sounds nice, gives me another area to look at, thanks,

We are wanting to live quite rural, but at the same time not miles out to get a pint of milk if you know what I mean!! Its not easy, we will be renting to start with so we can always move but I just want as little disruption for the kids, settling them in to one place and then another..

Any idea what the schools are like?

[JandM]

I've only seen the kindy in action. What age children are you talking about? Then I can ask.

Next over from Swanson, that you mentioned before, there's also Henderson Valley. That's the sort of area it sounds as if you're talking about, too.

[JandM]

(And incidentally, the southern part of so-called Henderson Valley, mind-bogglingly, is on top of HIGH ridges. But it's not all up there.)

[Pink Tracy]

Hi, My kids are 12 and 5 so nooed both primary and secondary.

Is Waitakere to far to commute to Auckland then? I can get so much from google maps but it does not show the traffic and what it would ne to live in it and commute.

[westi]

I used to drive from Swanson to Auckland city in peak time and it took 45 to 50 minutes. Outside of busy periods it's a 10 min run down the motorway.

[Pink Tracy]

thanks for that, it gives ne areally good idea how far out is realistic!

[JandM]

My son lives in Titirangi and has clients all over the Auckland area, and his workshop is on the North Shore. Parts of Waitakere into Auckland are perfectly doable. But places out towards the coast, e.g. Piha or Bethell's Beach, are down twisty mountain/country roads, so it would be much more of an undertaking from there.

I'll ask about the schools, and get back to you.

[JandM]

Schools in Titirangi. My son says the local primary school is very well spoken of - here's its website. http://www.titirangi.school.nz/pages/StandardPage.aspx?pageId=62 It's right by the roundabout at one end of the village centre. They already know of older siblings of kindy frineds who are happily settled, and our little lad will be going there next year. As for secondary school, D said he isn't as clued up, but will ask V and get back to us.

[Pink Tracy]

Thanks I will check out the website. Cheers, you help is much needed and appreciated............ xxxxxxxx

[JandM]

Back again... have to stress that this is without direct contact, because our grandchildren and the family's contacts in the area are all that bit younger, but it's definitely a matter of going on the bus (and come to think of it, I've often seen the children coming back into the village at the end of the afternoon). The nearest/most obvious are the intermediate school in Glen Eden, and the high school in Green Bay. Neither of these is very far away. We THINK the intermediate school is Years 7 and 8, and then the high school from Year 9 onwards.

[JandM]

A further thought overnight. If I was quite liking the idea of moving to Titirangi with children, I'd email the principal of the primary school and ask him where the older children mostly move on to from there.

[Pink Tracy]

Thanks good idea, I will do that. Thanks for your help and your investigative work. x

[JandM]

You're welcome!:) Maybe one of these days your younger one and my grandchildren will be in the same school sports, or concert or similar.

[Pink Tracy]

Well if that happens I will be sure to thank you! AND of course by you a drink! x

[JandM]

Well, there are some nice places around for that to happen in.:yes Keep us posted with your progress. Right now, as I've said elsewhere, we're tied to England supporting one aged mother each, but a large part of our interest and affection is right there in NZ. We KNOW we love it, and look forward to being part of it when we can, despite what will have happened first - what a mixture, eh?

[Pink Tracy]

Sorry for delay in replying, been away. Yes your certainly right a double edged sword, me does think!!! At least you have something to keep you focused as hard as times now may be challenging in every respect. Hope all goes well.

[JandM]

Thank you.:)