[chocolate cake]

Hi,
I've moving to Auckland later this month, and will be working in the South Auckland area, Mount Wellington area. I wonder if anyone could recommend areas to live, I'll looking for somewhere fairly quiet and within a 30 min or so commute.
I'll look to rent initially, but would be nice to know what kind of areas I can be looking at.

[KerryS]

I work in Mt Wellington at the moment and live in Ponsonby/Herne Bay. It takes me 20 minutes to drive there in rush hour in the morning, a little longer to come home. So, a 30 minute radius could be quite large.
Depends on your budget and whether you're planning to buy or rent, and what you want from a suburb - if you have children and need good schools etc.

[dharder]

I've moving to Auckland later this month, and will be working in the South Auckland area, Mount Wellington area. I wonder if anyone could recommend areas to live, I'll looking for somewhere fairly quiet and within a 30 min or so commute.

We live kind of on the border of Glen Innes and Glendowie, and that is fairly quick to get to Mt Wellington (certainly less than 30 minutes). It is rather a sleepy suburby area, but has good schools.

It really depends on what you want, as Kerry said, and what you need, i.e. around here, I think one of the biggest deciding factors (after money) would be if you have to children.

Daniela

[gil]

We live in Bucklands Beach which can be described as "fairly quiet" I suppose! It's about 20 mins to Mt Wellington.

Details, chocolate cake, details, then we can help you!

Gil

[Marie P]

If you have a family then I recommend Wattle Cove ,a new development on the coast .

http://www.wattlecove.co.nz/

It will take about 20 minutes to get to Mount Wellington.

Marie x

[chocolate cake]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I haven't got any kids, so school isn't a problem.
I like the outdoors and in the UK currently live in a small village on the edge of Sheffield but on the fringes of the Peak National Park. It's 40 min commute most times, but has the advantage in that it's possible to walk, cycle in the countryside without too much traffic.

[jewelsvani]

I live in Pukekohe and absolutley love it here, the town is smallish and quiet, and I love the fact your only 20 minutes from the beach in a car and 2 minutes from a racetrack.

Mt wellington is exactly 35 miniutes in the morning if you leave by 6.45 that is. Just be prepared for some bad traffic in that area in the morning, london bad traffic.

[chocolate cake]

Thanks for that recommendation jewelsvani.

I've now arrived in Auckland and am slightly terrified by the volume of traffic! seems to easily be the equivalent of London and some probably.

I'm beginning to consider areas, as you say Pukekohe seems a nice place, and one I'm considering though I won't be looking to leave at 6.45, so I'd guess traffic would be somewhat worse. I witnessed it in the other direction on the Mway in this evening's rush hour coming back from buying a car there.

[Howie]

I live in Howick (near Buckland's Beach- see above) and love it here. It's quiet and safe, but I can walk up to the village for breakfast at my favourite cafe. I can also walk to some beautiful beaches. The other advantage is that if you drive East (and avoid the water) you can be in the beautiful NZ countryside surrounded by sheep and windy roads in about 10 minutes. Although it's a bit hilly, there are some beautiful places to cycle and feel like the city is far far away.

Where are you staying now?

Susan

[chocolate cake]

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your response.

I actually went out Howick way myself tonight at peak time and it wasn't a bad a run as I'd had last week when I was scouting, I think they must have been an accident then.

As you say it's a very pleasant place. I'm actually staying at a backpackers near Mount Eden at the moment while I decide on areas. I'm just waiting for my work permit to come through at the mo, and been spending the weekends on the Coromandel where I have family there.

[chocolate cake]

Well thanks for the responses, I've decided to take a rental in Cockle Bay near Howick.
I considered going south off the motorway, but the traffic at peak times put me off. I know it's going to be equally busy coming in from the south east, but its also within a decent distance to try cycling in, if I can find a decent route.

[Howie]

Hey, we're practically neighbours. I love Cockle Bay, IMHO it's only second to Mellon's Bay. Not that I could live in either :)

I'm actually trying to find a nicer place to live. Well, a warmer place for the winter. But I love this area a lot and I have 2 dogs, and it's quite difficult finding something that suits that I can also afford....

I can cycle from Howick to my office in Manukau. It's about 13km and takes me 35-40 minutes.

Enjoy the 'hood.

Susan