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Auckland suburb snapshot: ‘Aspirational’ Mount Eden is set around a lively village

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Leafy, lively and ‘aspirational’; why Aucklanders want to live here.

Relaxing in the shade of the looming Maungawhau, you’ll find the tranquil suburb of Mount Eden.

“Aspirational” without being posh, it’s a large suburb of mostly bungalow-era houses, with the odd colonial villa or 1960s-70s build thrown in.

Home to the elusive and much-coveted “double grammar zone”, it’s an area that’s home to high schools for both sexes, Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar.

“Mount Eden is an enduringly popular suburb due to its close proximity to Mount Eden Village and its great central location, combined with some of Auckland’s best school zones,” says Sarah Tiplady, real estate agent for Harcourts and part of an award-winning dynamic duo with Julie Kelman-Poto.

Julie Kelman Poto and Sarah Tiplady, from Harcourts Mount Eden, say they know the suburb like the back of their hand.
Julie Kelman Poto and Sarah Tiplady, from Harcourts Mount Eden, say they know the suburb like the back of their hand.

“It’s also popular because it’s a suburb of rich heritage with lovely character homes, many of which have been renovated. It’s traditionally a family area and attracts families because of the school zones and the suburban feel.”

During March this year, Tiplady says there were 44 sales in leafy Mount Eden, and 20 of those were in the $2 million-plus bracket.

“They’re aspirational homes for many people,” she says.

The view from the top of Mount Eden, the suburb’s namesake maunga, really is a thing of beauty. Especially at magic hour.
The view from the top of Mount Eden, the suburb’s namesake maunga, really is a thing of beauty. Especially at magic hour.

And it really is a suburb of homes. Unlike other Auckland suburbs such as Mount Roskill or even St Lukes, which have more of a mixed-use feel, Mount Eden has an old-fashioned sort of peace and quiet.

From the sides of its namesake to the foot of Three Kings, birdlife is abundant in the area, and you can tell that residents are house proud. If you’d like a lesson in curb appeal or how to plant a camellia or griselinia hedge to full effect, go for a wander down the serene Marsden Ave, Ellerton Road, Owens Road, or any of the charming streets sprouting off the Valley Road enclave.

Circus Circus cafe in Mount Eden village is an iconic fixture and Tiplady says they do great fries.
Circus Circus cafe in Mount Eden village is an iconic fixture and Tiplady says they do great fries.

“Ninety-five percent of the housing stock in Mount Eden is residential property. In fact, most homes in the area were built between 1920 and 1929, so it is an area known for character homes,” says Tiplady.

“There are also a number of apartment blocks here that were constructed in the 1960s and 70s, and the current trend, especially for the part of Mount Eden that is located within the Double Grammar zone, is for some new build terraced house options.”

A Mount Eden resident born and bred, Tiplady says it is the suburb’s friendly, community feel that holds enduring appeal for existing and prospective residents.

“While this isn
“While this isn't your typical Mount Eden home, it's definitely an aspirational property that many buyers dream of,” Tiplady says of 19 Dexter Ave, Mount Eden, currently for sale with Up Realty. “Character homes are highly sought after, and this double bay villa is particularly appealing.”

“I’ve always loved Mount Eden as a place to live because it is such a central spot with great local schools and a lovely community, and a fantastic local village,” says Tiplady.

“I even got married in the village, at Mantells. Mount Eden Village is one of the best in Auckland in terms of local villages with gorgeous boutiques, shops, café, and restaurants. It’s a very, very busy place to be for breakfast, lunch or dinner with a lovely, friendly vibe.

“Walking up Mt Eden is a favourite for many of the locals as it is such a nice spot and has beautiful panoramic views of the city. It’s also got easy access to motorways, transport, shopping malls, and there’s lots of cafes on offer. There’s a reason why it’s so popular.”

“This villa at 19 Dexter Ave beautifully combines charming original features with modern renovations, making it an ideal choice for families looking for their forever home,” says Tiplady.
“This villa at 19 Dexter Ave beautifully combines charming original features with modern renovations, making it an ideal choice for families looking for their forever home,” says Tiplady.

Unfortunately, Mount Eden was also the worst hit of Auckland city’s suburbs in the January 2023 floods. While the flooding was said to be a once in 100 year event, many homes in affected sections of the suburb are now facing council buy-outs, renovations or relocation, causing a flutter to what were strongly rising property prices.

“Eden-Albert was the most affected borough in Auckland,” says Tiplady. “I’d say a third of the properties we’ve appraised since have been impacted by the flood in some way.

“Demand is still high, but buyers are more cautious about what they'll pay for homes in a flood zone.”

“Mount Eden, is undoubtedly a popular suburb because it is a central Auckland location within the ADHB hospital zone, close to motorways, close to cafes, close to shops, and to top it all off, it’s got amazing school zones both at primary and intermediate and secondary level.,” says Tiplady. Shown here is 19 Dexter Avenue, Mount Eden.
“Mount Eden, is undoubtedly a popular suburb because it is a central Auckland location within the ADHB hospital zone, close to motorways, close to cafes, close to shops, and to top it all off, it’s got amazing school zones both at primary and intermediate and secondary level.,” says Tiplady. Shown here is 19 Dexter Avenue, Mount Eden.

Known for its villas on generous sections, Mount Eden isn’t often a place you hear people moving to straight out of flatting.

Tiplady agrees that Mount Eden “is not really for first home buyers”, unless they’re looking to purchase a unit or apartment.

“Most of the people shopping for properties in Mount Eden this year and last year were shopping in the $1.5 million price bracket, according to Trade Me, for a three-bedroom two-bathroom property - this was the biggest search category in the area.

A quiet suburb with a creative heart, Mount Eden features several local arts and crafts markets, as well as galleries, art classes, and like in this home at 19 Dexter Ave, even some secret home art studios.
A quiet suburb with a creative heart, Mount Eden features several local arts and crafts markets, as well as galleries, art classes, and like in this home at 19 Dexter Ave, even some secret home art studios.
An “enduringly popular” suburb, a home like this one at 19 Dexter Ave is unlikely to be where residents enter the market in Mount Eden, but it’s the type of home that Tiplady says buyers in the area really love.
An “enduringly popular” suburb, a home like this one at 19 Dexter Ave is unlikely to be where residents enter the market in Mount Eden, but it’s the type of home that Tiplady says buyers in the area really love.

“This fits with the trend that we’re seeing across the board with high levels of stock and lots for buyers to choose from at the moment,” says Tiplady.

But if you’re looking to invest your money well, Mount Eden’s property values are “typically doubling every 10 years”, she says.

“It’s a suburb that, even in a property decline, holds its value reasonably well, because of the school zones and style of housing,” says Tiplady.

If you’d like to get in on that sleepy yet top-quality Mount Eden mood, great spots for a daily coffee and pastry ritual are Wild Wheat on Mount Eden Road, Le Voix Francaise on Dominion Road, or village cafes like Frasers, Altar, Circus Circus, and RAD, which remain institutions.

Easy dining spots in the village abound, from Pasta & Cuore or Gina’s for easy italian any night of the week, The Garden Shed for a weekend lunch, or Xoong for something a little bit more ‘date night’ special.

Core Logic statistics for Mount Eden

Trade Me statistics for Mount Eden