[batgirl1001]

I am just curious because I am going to be in Auckland soon and I've heard people rave so much about staying on the North Shore over other areas in Auckland.

Just read that Glenhill is not such a good place. Are there other areas on the North Shore which are also undesirable too? And for what reasons?

It will help everyone moving to Auckland soon as it helps eliminate a lot of possible areas when we are new here and don't know the place all that well.

[dusk]

there are small pockets of rough areas in various parts of north shore, as everywhere, although overall I think it is one of the more affluent areas of auckland and has less run down areas.

most of the issues with places in north shore are travel based - eg beach haven - some lovely looking houses but a pain in the bum if you want to get into the CBD every day.

There is quite a lot of the north shore so it's difficult to gie a complete overview :)

[CJ22]

Yeah, it's generally a nice place. It's like a city in it's own right, but lacks a centre, so can be prone to strip-mallism (which is a word I just invented), but any undesireable areas are small and obvious. House prices is generally a good guide.

As Duskeh says, it's all about travel - if you work in the city, it's about finding the best way across the water during rush hour. Driving is the worst option (the buses are pretty good due to bus-lanes, but you need to be near the routes). Ferries are a good option if you live near a port (Devonport, Stanley Bay, Bayswater, Northcote Point, Birkenhead, Gulf Harbour). If you plan to work on the Shore itself, then everywhere is driveable, so you have a lot more options. No trains from the north.

[Alan]

Of course it also depends on your perspective, if you have kids then schooling is a huge issue so for us living in certain areas was less of an option than others. If you don't have kids then I think anyway pretty much.

[batgirl1001]

So North Shore is pretty much better than almost any other part of Auckland?

I can't imagine it as something like a city with its own administration and without a centre but rather enclaves of communities and businesses/shops. It seems rather disorganised.

If Glenfield is not desirable, then I presume Birkdale, Northcote or Beach Haven are also similar as well? With stripmalls? (as cj22 puts it) Housing prices there seems cheaper but as noted by someone else, lower housing prices can be an indication of something else besides market conditions.

This concept is still new to me trying to find a suitable good suburbs where there is good schooling and services; especially coming from a country where there is no such thing as a bad neighbourhood. I've seen some pretty nice and affordable houses on Trademe but it seems like there are in undesirable parts of Auckland.....which may mean I have to pass on them.

Then how do these places ever get sold anyway?:confused:


THANXS!!!

[JandM]

So North Shore is pretty much better than almost any other part of Auckland?Better in what way? This surely has to depend on anyone's likes, dislikes and priorities, etc. etc.. Sorry, but it sounds as if you're asking for cut and dried certainty, when other people's opinions aren't necessarily going to be from your perspective, so you might be disappointed. Actually, there are lots of forumites living happily in other districts, too.

Disorganized? - well, there are many towns that grew organically, rather than being planned and built all at once. Have you had a look on Google Street View, to get a visual impression of the areas CJ described? It's not always beautiful, as in architectural awards, but it's mostly pleasant and/or functional, and it works.

Out of interest, where is it you come from, that has no bad neighbourhoods?

[batgirl1001]

Singapore.

I did google plenty of times to check out the housing and suburbs in question but can't find anything truly wrong with them except to read that forumers wouldn't recommend them as places to stay. What's the reason for? Crime rates higher, not-so-good schooling, poor transport networks....???

Hardly an indication but people seem to judge a place based on feelings as well as the socio-economic status of the area. So far I haven't read a single posting on people moving to "less desirable" areas in the NS and hearing them rave about it as apposed to those who rave about the already good areas in the NS like Devonport, Albany etc.

A little herd mentality

[Familyofmonkeys]

From a UK perspective, areas like Glenhill are less attractive mainly because there is a large amount of light industry, big box style retail outlets in the area.....not something most people would neccesarily want to live close to when we have often come to NZ for a change in lifestyle. There is nothing particularly wrong with the housing or the schools or link to motorway in most areas of North Shore, but when you consider the abundance of beautiful East Cost Bays suburbs with nice beaches so close by, and those overlooking Waitemata Harbour, you can see why other perfectly nice areas become less desirable in comparison.

The other thing to mention is that there are plenty of nice suburbs close to the CBD, but on the whole for a comparable size house with car parking and garaging they are more costly compared to North Shore, with the exception of areas like Devonport. There are plenty of nice areas in Waitakere (we used to live in West Harbour, which is a nice area) and the Eastern Bays are very popular too with similar rental prices to North Shore, but in both cases we found that the bus services were more expensive and the actual travel time to the CBD longer and less frequent. From the Albany park & ride (with free car parking) it takes OH no more than 25 minutes to CBD in rush hour (about 15 minutes off peak) and there is a bus every 4-5 minutes during rush hours too. It's not that North Shore is in any way a 'better' area to live that anywhere else in Auckland because that simply isn't true, but if you don't need to drive over the bridge for work, then it can be damn convenient.

[CJ22]

I did google plenty of times to check out the housing and suburbs in question but can't find anything truly wrong with them except to read that forumers wouldn't recommend them as places to stay. What's the reason for? Crime rates higher, not-so-good schooling, poor transport networks....???

It's mainly the transport links. North Shore is actually pretty much of a muchness, quite homogenous. There are a few stand-out areas like Devonport, Takapuna etc. up along the east coast, but the only 'bad' areas are small enclaves of people on the bottom rung. But 'bad' is a relative term - North Shore 'bad' isn't really all that bad.

North Shore isn't disorganised at all - it does have an administrative centre at Takapuna. It just doesn't have a 'social' or 'business' centre, because it actually evolved as a series of suburbs that have gradually melded together (bit like London, in a small way). But it all works fairly well.

But there's nothing special about North Shore in any objective sense - there are places just as good in central Auckland or West Auckland. There's just something about the place.

[batgirl1001]

Thanks very much. It makes some sense now. I just wondered why places like Glenfield etc etc did not rank at all with how some people view the NS. I checked the houses and real estate and they seem just fine in Glenfield but I suppose a lot of people place a premium on living in purely housing residential suburbs and not be too close to commercial/industrial areas which may uglify the community.

This is as apposed to my own country where people just can't get enough to living as close as possible to city areas and conveniences like shopping malls, shops etc. I myself used to stay just 500m away from Ikea, Giant (supermarket chain) and Courts. Those conveniences helped jack up the price of my flat when I sold it.

Appreciate this because we are speculating on buying a house soon and would like to know the areas to look out for especially when a lot of people think differently. So presumedly it would not be a good idea to buy one in a suburb with just too many commercial/industrial areas. Yet that somehow doesn't explain why people like places like Takapuna which I gather from reading some posting and cj22 comments that it has a business centre. Are the shops classier?

I myself did not like living in the suburbs when I lived in Brisbane for a couple of years. Deadly, deadly boring and the people don't seem to wake up till past noon on the weekends. It was only when I moved to an inner-city suburb did I see some life.;)

[Alan]

Takapuna has probably the best range of cafe's, bars, restaurants etc on the North Shore. If you want night clubs then Auckland centre is the place but otherwise Takapuna is very much alive in the evenings and weekends.

[CJ22]

Batgirl, I think you're right that it may be a cultural thing. Brits are used tot towns and villages having proper centres. Even in London, where the towns and villages have merged together, the areas still have their own centre. Glenfield (and many other areas of NS) lack such a centre, unlike Takapanu and Devonport (which are older areas) that do have traditional centres on the British model. They're all new areas, in the grand scheme of things - you don't have to go very far back in time to a time when these were outlying villages. So I suspect it's a British prejudice, and if you don't suffer from it, then you have more options I guess :)

[batgirl1001]

Thanks Alan and Cj22, it certainly does explain why some places on the NS are not that desirable because inherently people bring along their own cultural atitudes to judging whether the place is good or not. Although this is not a Brits forum, there are a lot of them. I guess people could get disoriented when they have nothing in their area where they can gravitate to as a "centre".

I don't think Kiwis are bothered by this in general. I know Ozzies aren't having been in Brisbane for a while. Some of the most lively and expensive real estate in Brisbane can be alongside bars, cafes and clubs. And it wouldn't demise their value or family appeal apparently.

Takapuna would be a more lively place to stay and likely be a nicer place to buy (if I could afford it) but I am shocked at the high real estate values there even in these times. Seems like a piece of land there is like buying gold at this time. :D

[dharder]

Although this is not a Brits forum, there are a lot of them. I guess people could get disoriented when they have nothing in their area where they can gravitate to as a "centre".

I don’t think anywhere in Auckland really has a ‘centre’, and I think that is partly why I find this city so unappealing. There is no place that people would naturally gravitate towards. Some suburbs have their own ‘centre’, but there is nothing really for the whole of it. I like Mt Eden because there is something vaguely resembling a centre, and Titirangi for the same reason.

Some of the most lively and expensive real estate in Brisbane can be alongside bars, cafes and clubs. And it wouldn't demise their value or family appeal apparently.

I’m not sure people don’t want to live next to shops or cafes, but especially in Glenfield, in some areas I’d feel like I live on an industrial estate. The reasoning behind their zoning policies doesn’t always reveal itself immediately to me…

I have never considered the North Shore as a place to live, mainly because I really don’t trust the idea that there is ‘one way in and out’, and that is a bridge (I know you can go around, but how long does that take?!). I prefer to live somewhere where I don’t have to rely on (limited) public transport or a car.

We live on the border of Glendowie and Glen Innes, an area that seems okay for size of houses, proximity to ‘good’ schools, the waterfront, and ease of getting into the CBD, but nothing I would ever chose to live in if it weren’t for the children (it is very, very, very, very quiet). I would move somewhere much more central than here or the North Shore.

Daniela

[DizzyF]

Daniela....completely agree with you. Currently live in Central Auckland renting and trying to find the right place to buy. As a Brit there is a lack of community feel to many places and I do feel that we are compromising for the kids...good schools, bigger house. I am not a fan of being so reliant on a car to get to places but Auckland is so spread out that you have to. Feels weird trying to put down roots somewhere I can not imagine staying. The added problem is that alot of Brits want old character property (Devenport good example...lots of Brits in old property). We want 1900-1930 property as the modern stuff seems flimsy and unattractive to us and we are really concerned about the leaky home issue...whole other story!

[jasonelsa56]

Every one has a different perspective, we have been here since January and Have rented a house in Waiake (Torbay). Don't agree with the comments about the travel issues on the shore. Bus's as mentioned go in to the CBD all along the SH1 (4 different stops i think) quick at rush hour and the last bus back at the weekend is 3am, so you can even have a night out in Auckland. + easy access to great countryside, regional parks (longbay etc). We find the areas have a great community feel and would personally recommend any of the North Shore bays. After all why come to NZ and live in the middle of the city. I go into the CBD on a scooter 25mins door to door, free parking, back home for 5:30 in time for a swim, spot of kayaking at the beach (did i mention the shore has the best beaches in Auckland:)) ((thats what us shoreites would all say anyway:))

[CJ22]

After all why come to NZ and live in the middle of the city.
My POV entirely. I've come all this way, I want to live somewhere that feels a bit special.

[batgirl1001]

In my case, I am trying to find out why certain places are not as good or people don't seem to like them as much because for various reasons. It seems Torbay, Browns Bay etc is a great place to live (judging by various points raised) but people always talked about the commute in relation to how much they love staying there. The commute seems to be the biggest evil especially if you have a job in the city or beyond. Some people don't mind it, but a lot do. I think for me, it will be an issue since I've moved away from Singapore- one of the reasons, mainly to get away from overcrowding and congestion. If both of us manage to find work outside the city, then I am sure I would like staying in Torbay.

Just wondering out loud why places like Birkdale, Glenfield, Northcote etc seem to get no mention at all when it comes to the NS. I just assume these must be "undesirable" but only now do I get an idea why. Similarly I read posting all the time why some areas in East Auckland are great places and they are the usual mentions like Bucklands Beach, Howick etc but never other areas.

[dusk]

possibly it's just that no one on here lives in those parts of the north shore or elsewhere in Auckland?

northcote point is lovely, we considered a couple of properties there, there are I think 2 streets in another part of northcote which have some troubles with unruly youths but nothing worse that I have heard of in the local paper so far (have only been here 5 months though)

[dharder]

Similarly I read posting all the time why some areas in East Auckland are great places and they are the usual mentions like Bucklands Beach, Howick etc but never other areas.

I think I mention where we live, the Eastern Suburbs/Bays area whenever the topic comes up. We live on the border of Glendowie and Glen Innes, from where it takes a 30 minutes bike ride into town, 15 minutes to St Heliers and Mission Bay, and we walk to the beach of the Tamaki Estuary at the end of our road, about 500 metres. All the schools North of us are Decile 10 (all the schools South of us are Decile 1). There don't seem to be a lot of British Expats living around, though quite a few of the childrens' teachers are from the UK. The area North of us (Glendowie, St Heliers, Churchill Park, Kohimarama) is largely (with some exceptions) upper middle class retired or with school aged children white conservative NZ, and exceedingly dull, except for Mission Bay.

The only interesting thing about where I live is the social difference between Glen Innes (ranking as a Most Deprived area) and Glendowie (a Least Deprived area), which is very, very visible, and I have mentioned in previous posts.

There you go, assessment of an area that isn't Bucklands Beach or Howick :)

Daniela

[batgirl1001]

Thanks very much Daniela. For one moment I thought you describe the people in those suburbs as exceedingly dull....hehe:)

[Alan]

The biggest issue I believe is so many people either have or will have children and therefore schooling becomes a huge factor. We were really taken by a property on Birkenhead Point and would happily have lived there, but what stopped us was the schooling, especially the intermediate and high school.

Again though some may have considered the schooling ok, just for us it wasn't what we wanted even though we really liked the area.

I think you need to define what it is you are looing for from an area i.e. do you want to be no more than 10 mins from the beach etc., then I guess people could give you a better idea of areas that fit.

Oh and by the way I LOVE the bridge crossing in the morning, even in heavy traffic it makes me remember why we came..............I see the sunrise behind Rangitoto Island through the harbour on the way to work, and coming back I see the sun starting to lower behind the Waitakere Ranges. An absolutely brilliant simply thing!

[batgirl1001]

I haven't define what I'd like yet and would only do so after spending some time looking around and prioritising what I see as important. I notice a lot of people here emphasise schooling as an important indicator of housing choice and it seems like only schools of decile 9 or 10 get a mention. I wonder why no one wants anything lower. Shouldn't a decile 6-8 school have sometime working for them too? I've read some good things about Mt Roskill, Pakuranga etc and they are consistently strong performers yet have low deciles because of the suburbs they are located in. Imho, they could be the upcoming bronx school for all we know.

Anyway I think in the end I will place an emphasise on living in a multicultural good suburb, nice views, some proximity to shops and conveniences, reputable schools as an indicator where I would like to stay. Unlike many here, I won't reject a school if it happens to be in a lower decile cos I am more interested in its learning programme and education emphasis rather than preoccupied with deciles. So most likely I would reject staying in the NS (which I guess is not a popular move) and perhaps look to East Auckland or even central Auckland for that matter. Thanks.

[dusk]

I don't think where you choose to live or what school you choose for your children is anyone's business but your own and I certainly wouldn't expect people here to express their disapproval in any case :D

I don't see any responses here that were intended as anything other than helpful, although you seem to suggest that they were not what you were hoping for in some ineffable way. I hope you find the suburb you are looking for :)

[Spooky]

Just stumbled upon this thread. My two-cents (considering I have only been in the Northshore for 2 days during my recent trip ;)) below:

1. Just driving around/ hanging out at night in the various suburbs of Northshore, you can sense a qualitative difference in the lifestyle/ standard of living in these areas which are just a stone's throw away from one another. While some houses are cheaper and there are decent schools there (not just defined by decile rating), we just did not feel comfortable or safe in some suburbs.

2. House prices on the internet in the more upscale areas of East Coast bays seem high, but when we went for house auctions and just chatted with some folks, we found out those prices were really inflated. Many sellers/ agents are open to negotiation. We saw a lovely house at Beach Road at Murrays Bay area overlooking the sea for an advertised price of $600K which in the end was going for $400 plus. So do not be put off by the advertised prices. Many are willing to consider any offer.

3. Schools seem to be a critical factor when deciding where to live. While decile ratings are one variable to think about, perhaps it might be best to go and visit the schools personally. That's our next step, and we plan to make appointments with a few school heads on our next recce trip.

Oops, that's more than 2-cents. :)

[Alan]

The central and eastern parts are also sought after because of schooling. In the east you have Macleans and Howick Colleges, in the central Auckland Boys Grammar, Mt Albert Grammar etc., If you want a view that is also going to drive you to more sought after places.

The schools are low decile not because of anything to do with the school but because of the social and economic issues that may be around that area in my opinion. Again, if I was living without children then I would abolutely consider Beach Haven and in the future I believe Glen Innes will be an up and coming location.

We all have different likes and dislikes and that makes life interesting, but you did ask where's not to live on the shore and personally if I didn't have a choice and got landed somewhere it's all pretty good really.

Hope you get what you're looking for.

[batgirl1001]

Not too worried about housing values in NZ. Just shocked at how far they have fallen and are still falling. I guess this shows that during the economic boom period- housing prices/values really shot up perhaps too much too fast. With the exchange rate currently in our favour (SING=NZ) , an affordable house may not be a problem.

Wouldn't consider Murrays Bay. Too far and possibly may be too quiet. Takapuna would be my best bet if I'd ever consider living in NS. I remember it as a livelier place back then, even 5 years ago.

[Spooky]

Wouldn't consider Murrays Bay. Too far and possibly may be too quiet.

Oh you'll be surprised. Took us only 15 mins to get to Auckland City on a Saturday evening. :) And we found the nearby eating areas/ mini-town very accessible. 5 mins drive to Albany's warehouses.

[batgirl1001]

I'll be looking around. thanks.

[frootbat]

Nowhere on the North Shore is what I would call a 'bad' area. There's even graffitti in Devonport these days! If you're renting when you first arrive (which would be my advice) you'll have plenty of chance to look around and see where you like and what suits your circumstances, it's not that big an area and it's easy to find your way around.