Hot in the city

Slickers: Many Aucklanders are deciding that a trendy square box in a central location is far preferable to the house in the suburbs. Picture / Carolyn Elliott

Living in an apartment is fast becoming the residence of choice for many Aucklanders. It may not be overtaking the house in the 'burbs but, nevertheless, many JAFAs are making it their preferential dwelling.

Sprouting around the central business district and its surrounding city fringe locations, the amount of apartments appearing on the landscape is astounding with the number of new developments under construction or in the pipeline.

So what is it that attracts people to live in apartments? Is it location, convenience, architectural design or the lack of interior and exterior maintenance?

The reasons differ but there is still a consistent theme among apartment dwellers - a new way of life that is far removed from that on an eighth of an acre section.

Ponsonby apartment dweller Mary-Liz Griffen says that living so close to the city centre is really convenient. "I walk to work and it only takes 30 minutes. I don 't have to be stuck in traffic for hours on end. I am close to the city and Ponsonby, which means I never have to travel far when I'm going out."

Moving from an apartment in Parnell to Ponsonby was a logical move for Mary-Liz. "Parnell is a lot more conservative than Ponsonby. I like the vibrant atmosphere that this areas offers."

Although frustrated by the design of her apartment, which she says needs a proper kitchen with a decent stove, Mary-Liz expounds that most apartments aren 't designed for people who like to entertain at home or like to cook.

"Most of the apartments are designed as a city bolt hold for people who stop in and out of town. The balconies are small and living areas combined. ''

Mary-Liz believes that developers need to be more in tune with their audience and "be real about the size and type of accommodation".

However, all this aside, Mary-Liz says it's great living in such a cosmopolitan area on the right side of the city near most of her friends.

Recently making the Kilbryde in Parnell their home, Judy Macmillan and her husband are relishing their new apartment. With two bedrooms, a study/ TV room, open- plan kitchen/ living, two ensuites and a laundry with toilet, the couple says they chose this particular apartment complex because Parnell was their preferred location.

"We thought that the complex was visually attractive and well constructed. It provides one-level living, which we decided was for us."

Opening to two outdoor patios and a garden area, sliding doors from the living area and study as well as a separate loggia off the living room adequately allow for outdoor living.

"We love the convenience of apartment living. We enjoy plenty of sun with rather a holiday atmosphere but with the convenience of inner-city living," says Judy.

Enjoying the lock-up-and-leave aspect of apartment living, the Macmillans feel secure. "We just love the carefree modern lifestyle our apartment offers."

A common theme among many apartment dwellers, this sentiment is resounded by another apartment junkie, Ramon Thompson. Living in a Viaduct Harbour apartment with his wife and child, Ramon says that this is the right place for them at the moment.

"I can 't imagine living here forever, but I don't think I'll ever give up apartment living. Even if our family increases, we will just relocate to the bigger apartments that are now being built in Auckland."

With larger apartments now starting to be available in Auckland, families are definitely looking to relocate to their preferred location without having to pay the price tag often associated with the renovated villa or bungalow on a full site.

Says Ramon: "Why would I want to spend my whole weekend doing chores around a home I don't even like. It is bad enough that we would have to move out to the sticks to afford something decent, but then you have to mow lawns and fix leaky taps."