Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Orakei, St Heliers (AKL)

[KerryL]

Hi,


**Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Orakei, St Heliers (Auckland)**

No one ever seems to mention these Auckland suburbs but we think they are the ideal destination, with a beach lifestyle and being only 15 minutes form AKL CBD! Does anyone live here that can give me some insight into living there?

Thanks!

[dharder]

Not sure why you think nobody mentions them? We used to live in Glendowie. St Heliers, Glendowie, Mission Bay and Kohimarama are all quite affluent suburbs. Lots of primary schools (all decile 10,all much of a muchness), two state secondary schools, . No intermediate schools within easy reach. Orakei is slightly different, ranges from super super wealthy to large areas of state housing, you'd have to look at each house on its own to decide. Some lovely rentals, some really not. Not in zone for the higher decile primary schools or Glendowie College.

Except for Mission Bay, there isn't a whole lot happening in any of those suburbs, but I appreciated the easy commute by bike into town. Wouldn't drive along Tamaki Drive during 'rush hour'. Housing isn't cheap, though.

[KerryL]

I think nobody mentions them because nobody mentions them when I've been searching! Thanks for your reply.

[dharder]

I think nobody mentions them because nobody mentions them when I've been searching! Thanks for your reply.

They are sometimes called Eastern Bays, or sometimes Eastern suburbs. I know they have been discussed in the last few years because I normally ad my two cents to any discussion about them.

As a young profession couple without children, as I take from your other post you are, I would personally not live there, it seems more frequented by pensioners and people with school aged children. I would look for something more central with a bit more life. Said she who ended up in Essex, ah well.

[Super_BQ]

These suburbs are not mentioned often because of their high housing prices. Cousin paid $1.6M for a 370^m2 size house. IMO, it's all about location to those schools as dharder mentions, more for affluent people say the top 1 or 2%. NZ has a strong emphasis of schooling for children (and we're talking primary and secondary which really doesn't matter as much as going to university). I've never understood the basis of buying a house around your children's first 18 years of life going to school and certainly it's a big burden of debt for most people that want to live in the best location for schooling. Such a big sacrifice (ie. living in old uncomfortable houses for the sake of child education) .