Auckland's most sought after suburb is … a tried and true favourite
Sunday, 22 September 2024
There are a raft of things to think about when you start your house hunting journey, but near the top of the list will always be one significant word: Location.
In Wellington, it’s blue chip Thorndon, in Christchurch, it’s fancy Fendalton. But in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, it’s right royal Remuera.
According to Trade Me Property, Remuera is once again the most-searched suburb in the city, followed closely by Mt Eden and Grey Lynn. No surprises there, but just what is it about the little suburb on Hobson’s Bay that makes it perennially popular?
“In today’s market it’s not surprising to see customers focusing their searches on tried and true high quality suburbs in the main city centres,” says Trade Me customer director Gavin Lloyd. “It’s so handy to everything. You’re quickly into Newmarket, Parnell and town.”
The average asking price in this blue chip suburb as of July 2024 was $2.4 million, almost $1.5m over the city’s most recent average asking price of $986,750.
According to homes.co.nz, the September median sale price for the suburb was $2.13m.
In April, a property with an RV of $25m came on the market that included a tennis court, infinity pool with Hobson Bay views, and a whopping 3498m² section landscaped by award-winning designer Robyn Shafer.
In June, a $30m mansion, designed by leading architect Roy Keith Binney, and featured on TVNZ’s My Dream Green Home, was offered to let for a mere $6000 per week. It too included a tennis court and swimming pool, but no sea view. One can’t have always everything, you know.
While the central location is possibly the suburb’s main appeal, that prestige factor also counts for some of the eye-watering price tag.
“Some Kiwis want to live in a well-known area like Remuera, which drives up demand and prices,” says Lloyd.
“Remuera is all about the schools, both private schools and very good primary and intermediate state schools, including Baradene, King’s School, and Remuera Intermediate to name a few.”
The suburb also has a pleasing neighbourhood vibe, with spots like the Benson Rd cafes and shops and Remuera village, which has recently had a bit of a spruce up.
For Ray White Remuera agent Steve Koerber, it’s the stately homes of Arney Rd that are the real draw card.
“As soon as you turn into the street, the first two houses are big, stately character homes built in the early 1900s. They’re almost a gateway to that street, and it's a taste of things to come.'
His other favourites are Arney Crescent, Victoria Ave, Bassett Rd and Benson Rd.
Koerber reckons the market is so soft at the moment, however, Remuera is now more accessible than many buyers might think. Buyers focusing on more accessible spots like Meadowbank, St Heliers or Onehunga, take heed:
“People looking at Onehunga might be a little bit surprised that they can actually afford to buy in Remuera. They don't think they can, so they don't look. I would say, right at the moment is a sweet spot where it should be on people's radar.”
Good schools are also a significant draw card for the number two most desirable suburb in the city: Mt Eden.
Best known for being the home of the our national rugby stadium, Eden Park, as well as elegant villas and leafy streets, many properties in the suburb fall into the coveted “double grammar zone”. That means you could send your children to two of the country’s top secondary schools, Auckland Grammar or Epsom Girls' Grammar.
For this dumpling fan, however, it’s best known as the location of Dominion Rd and more than 20 dumpling spots (Belly Worship is a favourite).
The average asking price for Mt Eden as of July 2024 was $1.4m. According to homes.co.nz, the September median sale prices for the suburb is $1.75m.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Liz Byers moved her family to the area from Onehunga more than a year ago. They love the diversity of Dominion Rd, “giving the area such character.”
“I love walking through Mt Eden village, past all the cafés and then up Maungawhau with the dog for the best view of Auckland city you can find.”
Byers pinpoints Grange, Ashton, Woodford and Henley Rd as the top four streets in the suburb, “although you’re spoilt for choice”.
If you’re priced out of Herne Bay - and let’s face it, most of us are - and Ponsonby, then the third most searched suburb in Tāmaki Makaurau, Grey Lynn, could be the Goldilocks suburb you’ve been looking for. With an average asking price of $1.48m as of July, Grey Lynn is “just right”, according to Lloyd.
Homes.co.nz gives the suburb a median estimate of $1.71m, compared to $2.29m for Ponsonby which is just a five-minute walk away. Herne Bay is $3.14m.
Like Remuera and Mt Eden, Grey Lynn has no shortage of pretty villas and greenery - although Grey Lynn’s gardens tend more towards the balmy and sub-tropical with a profusion of banana trees, and palms. Grey Lynn Park, a beloved community relaxation space, adds to the leafy green feel.
Other suburb highlights include Copain French bakery, Suite Gallery with its dedicated Ans Westra museum, and the chic design store Public Record.
Architecture lecturer Gina Hochstein and her husband Adrian Kelly moved to Grey Lynn in 2023, calling it the ultimate place for lifestyle and work.
“Ponsonby prices were another $200,000 or $250,000 more for their price range in the mid $1 millions,” says Hochstein. “We liked Grey Lynn better because you’ve still got Ponsonby Rd very close, and it’s incredibly quiet.”
Agents reckon homes there typically have larger sections than their hipper neighbouring suburbs, too.
“You get the best of both worlds,” says Bayleys agent and Grey Lynn local Cristina Casares. “I like Grey Lynn better, you’re still so close to Ponsonby, depending on what street you’re in it’s five minutes. You can walk everywhere.”
The make up of the suburb is “incredibly cosmopolitan”, too, with a mix of European, Pacific Island and migrant families from all over the world. Casares, herself originally from Argentina, has friends in the area from as far afield as Italy, Korea and South Africa.
'Grey Lynn tends to be more families, you have kids and dogs, and bigger yards. In Ponsonby you tend to be closer to the neighbours.'