It's one thing to admit you belong to a tribe, it's another to find the right place so that you can live amongst your people
As the New Zealand Herald's Jane Phare found, there are ten (if not more) tribes in Auckland - whether people admit it or not.
And here's where they live:
Start your property search
uRAFs (Ultra-RichAnd Famous)
Remuera. Is there anywhere else the uRAFs can live? Okay, maybe Parnell, Kohi, Paratai Drive or Herne Bay. And The Country, if it's a big big spread and there are stables and an equestrian ring.
With over 5000 sq m and 440 sq m of house in a part of Remuera that, really, only locals know about, 6 Garden Road is the ultimate uRAF pad, sold by one of the select handful of uRAF real estate agents Michael Boulgaris (although his dogs are real basset hound/border collies, no doodles here). The arts and crafts features are genuine and well preserved, the infinity pool has sea views.
With a CV of over $24 million, a yard that practically backs onto Kings Prep school and separate accommodation for the help, this Arts and Crafts mansion says you've arrived.
Check out the listing below.
Golden SODs(Spending Our Dosh)
When the giant pad in the leafy suburbs gets too much, there's still the 'bach' at Omaha. On the beach is preferable, but with the curving streets and private walkway to the beach, one back is pretty close.
Precision Real Estate's Di Balich has a signature Omaha bach on 51 Kewai Street which spreads four bedrooms over 912 sq m. The architecture is modern and striking, the bathrooms the epitome of luxury, the garage big enough to take the boat, and even the bunk room is designer beauty to house all those grand children at New Year's eve. Indoor outdoor flow is modulated by full height sliding walls of glass. Built in 2016, the property has a CV of $2.7 million.
Check out the listing below.
iLOWs (I Live OnWaiheke)
You might have just missed out on the former Marc Ellis/Augustina Mon designer cliff top pad with its own helicopter pad (it sold earlier this month for just under $10 million) but Jude and Alastair Watson of Waiheke Real Estate have a stunning 3.2 hectares above Te Whau Peninsula for sale. There's a pretty cool one bedroom pavilion on the land (plus power, septic and water tanks) while you contemplate building your own luxury spread. It’s right next to the Rothschild family homestead, for added cachet. Local zones allow visitor facilities for up to 10 people, or you could just live modestly and enjoy paradise.
Check out the listing below.
iSEGs (IntellectualSmug Eco-Gurus)
The iSEGs worked their way from Ponsonby to Grey Lynn as bargains disappeared in the former suburb.
The lovely old villas and bungalows have been so worked up, renovated and renovated again, that a genuine do-up is a rare beast. George Damaris and Bruce Murtagh have one such unicorn in captivity: a full 481 sq m site on Scanlan Street, in Grey Lynn’s heartland. It’s got all the classic villa touches – a lacy verandah on the square front, original doors, windows and fireplaces, high ceilings and wood floors. The kitchen has enough trendy features, it’s warm and insulated, so will do you nicely until the architect has frightened you with visions and quotes (consents already in place). There’s even a lower ground floor opening to generous sloping garden for flatmates or teens. Views, sun and a $1.47 million price tag.
Check out the listing below.
MEMs (Making EndsMeet)
The mere sight of the price tag - $560,000 – would make a MEM breathe easier. Add in solidly built brick and tile 1970s house and an unheard-of-in-the-city actual quarter acre section, and your budget woes would be sorted. The house has three bedrooms, a sunny conservatory, and new kitchen with new appliances, fresh décor and carpets. There’s even a wood burning fire (it’s the country, firewood is practically free) along with the heat pump.
Pukekohe is a comfortable half hour commute away for work, the country side with parks, lakes, biking and fishing is right on your door step. Hadley Pierce from Barfoot & Thompson Pukekohe is marketing the property.
Check out the listing below.
The Blenders
When the Brady Bunch kids all gather at The Blenders’ home at once, you need a mass of bedrooms (at least five), a second living room (as far from the grownups as possible) and a kitchen with a decent scullery and a breakfast bar for all those teenagers to lounge about. Barfoot & Thompson’s Paul Hodgman has a brand new build in Torrance St, Epsom, that has even more. Four bathrooms (three ensuite, no queues in the morning), a double garage for the parties, plus plenty of off-street parking. Add in sunny decks, electronic cameras and air conditioning, and yours will be the pad all the kids and steps and halfs want to congregate in.
Check out the listing below.
OSPs (Over SharingParents)
The trouble with Over Sharing Parents is that the kids expect the services to continue well into their 20s – or even 30s. So a home with a studio or granny flat becomes increasingly attractive when the birds keep returning to the nest.
Helen Lam and Wendy Sadd of Barfoot & Thompson Greenlane are bringing a cracker to auction on September 26. The 18 Henley Rd, Mt Eden bungalow has the immaculately up to date kitchen overlooking a great deck and back yard so the cook can keep an eye on everything. Two living rooms, three beaut bedrooms, and it’s in that precious double grammar zone. But best of all, there’s a self-contained studio in the back of the garage for when you just can’t stop hovering over those kids.
Check out the listing below.