Choosing the right home often comes down to the everyday details: good schools, green space, easy transport and a sense of community that makes life feel settled.
That was the thinking behind Woo Lee and his wife Jessica Kim’s decision to buy at Fletcher Living’s Kaipātiki development in Glenfield.
“We’ve been living on the Shore for a very long time, and we didn’t want to move away,” Lee says. “We love the connections, the closeness to the beaches and the lifestyle we already have here.”
With children aged 2 and 5, the couple had been looking for a home that would suit their family both now and in the years ahead. Location mattered, but so did layout, storage and how the home would function day to day.
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“The one we found at Kaipātiki really ticked a lot of boxes,” Lee says. “It’s super handy to the motorway, close to schools, and the size and feel just made sense for where we’re at as a family.”
What makes their story slightly different is that Lee had also been involved in the project professionally. Until late last year, he worked on the design side of the development, helping with building consents and layout decisions.
“I got to see first-hand the quality and the level of thought that went into it,” he says. “Not just from the design team, but from construction as well. There was a real focus on how people would actually live in the homes.”
That experience gave him confidence as a buyer. “It wasn’t just about how it looked,” he says. “It was about making sure it worked and was built properly for everyday life.”
That practicality is reflected in the home they chose. The four-bedroom layout includes two living areas, giving the family flexibility as their children grow.
“You walk in and you’re really struck by the layout. There’s a nice flow. The kitchen and living areas are spacious, and you can quickly imagine how it’s going to work,” says Lee.
Storage was also a key consideration. “We’ve lived in a place without enough storage and you really feel it,” he says. “Here, you’ve got under-stair storage, proper pantry space, big wardrobes and a really generous linen cupboard upstairs. Everything has its place.”
The home backs onto bushland, with views across the valley toward native trees. “There’s a really nice bush backdrop,” Lee says. “You can see it from the living areas and the bedrooms. It makes it feel peaceful, even though you’re still close to everything.”
That balance between nature and convenience is part of Glenfield’s appeal. The suburb offers easy access to parks and beaches, while remaining well connected to schools and shops. Witheford Reserve provides direct access to native bush just across the road from the Kaipātiki development, while frequent bus services from Glenfield connect residents to the city and the wider North Shore in minutes.
Lee’s eldest daughter will soon start school, and being close to education options was another factor. “We wanted somewhere that would work long-term,” he says. “Somewhere we could really settle.”
The couple plan to use one living area as their main family hub, with the second as a quieter retreat. “With kids, it’s nice to have that flexibility,” Lee says. “One space can be busy and noisy, and the other can be calm.”
Fletcher Living’s Kaipātiki neighbourhood is being developed in stages and will eventually comprise around 82 homes across the 50 ha site. Many of the homes are already completed, with early residents, including Lee and his family, expected to move in early April.
As the development takes shape, Fletcher Living is inviting locals and prospective buyers to experience the neighbourhood at a community Block Party later this month.
“I’ve been to similar events before, and they’re a great way to see how everything comes together,” Lee says. “You can walk through the homes and get a sense of what it would be like to live there.”
For those considering a move, it offers a chance to see why Glenfield, and Kaipātiki in particular, is appealing to families looking for space, connection and a place that feels easy to call home.
