[leslie]

can anyone recommend a good family neighbourhood in auck region??? where we live in london we walk a lot, its relatively safe (for england), not terribly exciting, has a good mix of people and good schools, childcare, shops etc close by. we're by the river a short journey to the city centre but feels like a village. in nz we'd like to add a good beach /athletics facilities to the mix as we'll be accompanied by our 14 year old and 18 month old. its just all very down to earth and chilled. i haven't been to auckland in 10 years and everyone keeps telling me how much its changed...

[karltsmith]

Phew where to start eh!

It much depends on where you plan to work I suppose! You can generally find something for eveyones taste. First you need to decide which side of the bridge you plan to live to ensure commuting is not too much of a pain!

North Shore has all the amenties you have described but so too does Howick and Half Mooon bay areas out east. More centrally the suburbs around Mission Bay area are lovelly and countless other areas.

Kohimarama is nice also! But not knowing Putney I can't equate the two really.

On the shore the following will meet your wish list!

Mairangi Bay, Browns Bay, Takapuna Area, Milford, Castor Bay, Torbay, Devonport. Pretty much all of the bays infact! Their are local leisure centres and the Millenium institute andnice beaches everywhere. The small shping areas up and down the shore all have a village feel to them!

Karl :cool