Gonzo

OK - my conclusions are:

tooanfrom - you live in quite a cool area with the best beach name I have come accross: "big manly beach" . From my appartment I can just about see Gulf Harbour. My partner says she won't commute from there to Glen Eden. Also, I don't believe there is a lake called Pooiponga!

jueinnz - thank you so much! I liked Titirangi, but your commuting experience may just have stopped me making a serious mistake. . I think you're right about the space, garden, etc, but I'm not keen on rows of bungalows on the same street. Bush setting would be ideal if it is possible to have the best of both worlds? Any idea if the commute from Oratia to the city is dooable?

Beachcombers - Devonport is really nice and ticks a lot of boxes for me, but Jess won't do the commute from there to Glen Eden.

Dlmckay - any chance you can tell me who you lease your car park from?

JakeG - Thanks - I'll definitely check out the beaches around Kohi/St Heliers, but again ....commuting time to Glen Eden for Jess ...

JudeJ - To be honest, in terms of suburbs, I've only really seen bits of the West (Mt Eden, Kingsland, New Lynn, Glen Eden, Titirangi, Oratia, Henderson), the Devonport peninsula and Mission Bay. I don't have any kids and I was brought up in Ibiza, so the beaches have quite a bit to live up to.

Mazi - thanks for your support. I think central Auckland has its place.

I've decided:
1. I need a car. Even if I can't live in these places, they sound really good for day-trips.
2. I need an 18 yr old nymphomaniac billionairess who owns a brewery not located in Glen Eden.
3. I will probably be moving out of my city flat with poky balcony, with communal pool and gym at the end of the 3 month lease.
4. I need to find somewhere to live which has easy access to Glen Eden (unless aforementioned billionairess ...) and the city. Ideally with bush setting/views/close to the water/not on your archetypal suburban street ... do I sound like a whinging pom yet?

kwprwn

naaa you havent been here long enough yet but you're doing a good job so far

lapsed kiwi

How about living in Titirangi, both commuting by car into Glen Eden and then you take the train into the CBD?

Tooanfrom

Lake Pooiponga is the settlement pond at the sh#t farm(sewage lagoon) at Rosedale/Greville Rd turnoff--and yes I have seen our Asian newcomers having a picnic beside it--wonder if they had a swim in it?

urbanproject

Hiya Gonzo,

I know what you mean about carparks in Auckland CBD, it's hell

I live/work in the CBD, it's actually really good cos I walk to work and it's pretty central to everything. I've been here for a little over a year now and investigated about getting a car but was put off by the price of car parks (i.e in our building it costs $60 a week!) but on my way back to work I ran into a sing from Wilson's parking advertising about spaces in a building 5 mins walk from mine. My partner and I got a car about 7 months after arriving and got the carpark, cost is $35 a week

I do agree with other posters though, it really depends where you work and how much you commute a day, there are places in the suburbs that are within good commuting times from CBD....but keep your eyes open in town and you might run into the same deal I did...or have a look at the Wilson's website to check out specials if they do

Jen

mazi

That sounds cool, I'd stay there in the city if I were you.

Batty

Hello. Welcome to Auckland I live in Glenfield on the North Shore and take the bus to work in the Viaduct. That's easy peasy - 25 minutes in rush hour with bus lanes. Glen Eden would be a bit of a trek though. Henderson has a train station and some people think it's a great way into town and others don't

You really should come over and visit the Shore though. It's usually a degree or two warmer than the CBD for a start I'd suggest Browns Bay to start with. It's got a lot of what you're looking for and whilst the bars aren't actually on the beach - they're not too far away.

JakeG - as much as I like the Shore, I prefer your area I'm on a (longish-term) mission to persuade my hubby to move over there.

JakeG

Gonzo - ''Thanks - I'll definitely check out the beaches around Kohi/St Heliers, but again ....commuting time to Glen Eden for Jess"

No worries, good point (Glen Eden is a trek from Kohi/Mission Bay). Good luck with the search. I bought a book recently which is quite a good (I have found it useful for areas I haven't been to) - you might want to check it out - http://www.wheretoliveinauckland.co.nz/.

Batty - "as much as I like the Shore, I prefer your area I'm on a (longish-term) mission to persuade my hubby to move over there."

I can't fault St Heliers/Kohi/Mission Bay (My sister lives there) and is right up there at the top of our most want to live areas (just pipped by Waiheke Island at present where we will get more for our money and where we think might more fun to bring up our daughter.) If Waiheke doesn't work for us we will end up there. Good luck with your persuading!

Gonzo

I went to St Heliers this weekend. I thought it was good. Less busy than Mission Bay. Thanks for that tip. (p.s. - Stagecoach was $4 each way)

JakeG

You're welcome.