[printman]

We are interested in any and all impressions and first hand experience regarding south Auckland/Manukau. We are considering all options for our settlement destination in late 2009 and while this area is not high on our list(big city), it does have a job that is a perfect match for my wife's experience (she's a nurse). We look forward to all your insights.

cheers, Mike and Cara

[925dancer]

From what I remember Manukau is a bit of a rougher area but this was 4 years ago and my memory is hazy. Of course there will be areas that are good.

I would say though that lots of areas are easily in a commutable distance, I used to drive from Westmere to Botany every day for college which was about 45 minute drive so maybe you don't have to live in the area you work.

Someone with much better information will be along soon I'm sure!

[BkyMonster]

Spent a bit of time driving around there when we first arrived (near the airport and we were staying in Bucklands Beach). There are certainly better parts of the Auckland area. I wouldn't know about crime rates or anything, but industrial and lots of bypasses and tricky traffic is what I remember.
The Botany Downs/Howick/Dannemora area was nice though and isn't too far away (you can pretty much take Botany rd/Te Irirangi from those suburbs right into Manukau, nice straight shot). Additionally if you live out that way you can take a ferry right into Auckland CBD I believe.

[jubjub]

Depends whereabouts you are looking, manukau city stretches from panmure down to south of Manukau town centre, a huge area including some lovely areas and some pretty dodgy ones. if you want to live near to Manukau central, then Alfriston or an area called The Gardens would be good choice, or if you want to go south you could try wattle downs.

You dont really want to be living in the old Flat bush area, otara, papatoetoe, otahuhu, Mangere if you can help it. If you are not bothered about being near to manukau centre, then you could try the bucklands beach/howick area...

[gil]

Yep, we live in Bucklands Beach and we are served by Manukau City Council. The area we live in is really lovely, but fairly expensive, mainly due to being in zone for Macleans College. If schools don't matter for yuo, then you can get a lot of house for your money in other parts.

Presumably you've looked at http://www.manukau.govt.nz/, the council website? Should give you some insight.

It takes about 30 mins from here to Middlemore Hospital (by ambulance with a son with a broken arm :D). Counties Manukau DHB's CEO and Manukau City's former mayor both live in Bucklands Beach too. Manukau is a very varied area and there are some parts I wouldn't want to live in personally.

The Half Moon Bay ferry goes from around the corner here and takes about 40 mins into the CBD. Google Fullers ferries for more info.

Good luck, and this is a hidden secret from the cities of Auckalnd and North Shore, ssshhhh!

Gil

[YouMeAndThree]

Sssshhhh indeed Gil - I love it over here, which considering we weren't going to even think about Auckland, and then once we did there was no way we were going to live in East Auckland, is a big surprise to me :D

Lx

[printman]

Thanks Gil. This is surprising given all that I had heard about south Aukland! We'll keep you posted..

Mike And Cara