Cool street of friendly faces

Claims that the friendly Kiwi neighbourhood is a thing of the past and that our busy lives prevent us from forming relationships with others on our street are wrong, say broadcaster Robert Scott and his wife Carmel Murphy.

"We've lived here for 11 years, since Sam, 21, and Molly, 17 were small, and we've had street barbecues, progressive dinners, parties galore, and we've all watched each other's kids grow up. It's been the most wonderful experience," says Robert.

"There are people who have lived here all their lives, with several generations moving through homes that have been in their families for years and years."

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Robert and Carmel's two-storey, 1930s weatherboard house on a corner site appealed to them because they needed plenty of room.

And it has served its purpose well.

"We really haven't changed very much, apart from adding a walk-in wardrobe to Sam's room and updating some light fittings," says Carmel. "The people before us had done a total renovation to a very high standard, and it still looks good and hasn't dated."

Reached via paved steps through the picturesque front garden, the house has an open plan kitchen and dining room with polished floors at the heart of the ground floor.

Because it's north-facing, these spaces are flooded with light. There are sliding doors between the kitchen and the living room, which is handy if Robert and Carmel, or the children, have guests.

Robert is a keen musician, who plays guitar and loves his vinyl record collection. "The living room has great acoustics," he says.

Sam's bedroom is tucked into a corner of the ground floor and Molly's is in the middle.

There's generous under-stairs storage and the double garage has internal access.

Extensive decking lies beyond french doors from the kitchen.

"It's definitely a party house," says Robert. "You'd never believe how many people we've squeezed in, both inside and out."

Upstairs is the master bedroom with bathroom (which matches the main bathroom downstairs) and a walk-in wardrobe.

Carmel says that the previous owners were sailing people, so much of the decor and the colours throughout the house reflect a love of the sea.

This is appropriate because the views take in the peninsula with its coastal walking tracks, the sea, the city, and surrounding streets.

The master bedroom has its own little balcony where the couple watch the sun rise and set. "You can sit out here for ages and never get bored because there's always something happening," says Carmel.

"We hear the animals at the zoo, the music and excitement of the Big Gay Out, each year, and the sounds of children playing all over the neighbourhood."

Also on this floor is an office where Carmel, who is in the health industry, works from home. It could alternatively be used as a fourth bedroom.

Now that Sam and Molly are grown up, Robert and Carmel are spending more time at their Waiheke holiday home, so they no longer have the need for a large house in the city.

The section is compact, with green grass and well-established palm trees and shrubs. Robert says that it's fairly easy-care, and looks good all-year-round.

"We have great schools nearby and Westmere village is just around the corner, so we're sure that another family is going to find this place just as perfect as we have," says Robert.

11 SUNNY BRAE CRESCENT, WESTMERE
• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 2 parking spaces.
• Land 463sq m, house 207sq m.
• Price: Above $2.3 million.
• Auction: Wed, August 22, 2pm, 30 Gaunt St, Auckland.
• Inspect: Sat/Sun 1-1.30pm.
• Schools: Westmere School, Western Springs College.
• Contact: Andre Bodde, Bayleys, 021 662 873, oneroof.co.nz/1180395