McGowans

Hi, can anyone advise on areas to live in or up to 30 mins from Whangarei? We'd like to purchase a 3-4 bed house with some land (enough for vegs and kids), schools and local amenities are important, but also the feeling of not being overlooked.
I've been on a few realtor websites but without an informed knowledge of the area everything looks fab. We'd have about $350k, poss more to spend. This is of course dependent on OH getting job offer there.

phil01

Hi,

$350k won't get you much in this direction, sorry. We live in One Tree Point which is about 25 mins from Whangarei, beautiful beach/harbour location, houses are close together (like a new estate in the UK) so no land with them and you are looking at about $500 for a 3/4 bed on a 600 sqm section. You should be able to get a do up at either Ruakaka, Waipu or Parua Bay if you want coastal...but when i say do up I mean do up and you need planning permission to make changes inside the house as well as outside over here.

If you want countryside then Maungakaramea, Maungatapere, Portland are nice areas.

If you have been looking at particular areas feel free to email and ask me about them.

Debbie

McGowans

Thanks Debbie, when I've looked on trademe and open2view there appear to be affordable properties. Does this mean they are likely to be in undesirable areas? We were hoping to be mortgage free hence the amount available, but may need to look at a mortgage now.
Emma

McGowans

Hi Debbie, it's the RealEstate website not open2view. What's Onerahi like, fab properties on Bayleys, getting quite carried away. Think we need to book that reccie trip to avoid disappoint later!

rockape

Hi Emma,
My mate lives in Onerahi, and I can say its a nice place to live as there are some nice people live there too. There is a few expats live there too, a few geordies too. And there is a real estate agent there from your area I think, look for national real estates, and there is an indipendant estate agent in Onerahi too.
You should be able to get a house for your sort of price there. Good hunting and good luck.

Best Regards
Stan

phil01

Hi,

Onerahi is OK, not great but OK...as in some parts of it can be a bit rowdy, predominantly Maori. A few expats live there we have some friends there as well but it is down to viewing the location to see the good and the bad...don't make a decision before you visit the area both day and night!!

McGowans

Thanks all, as mentioned we've to get the job first and then we can make some real plans.