Beachlands/Maraetai

These two seaside hamlets are family-oriented communities, popular with lifestylers who want access to the city without having to tolerate crowded suburbs.

There isn't a lot of employment here, so most people commute to work. This is still an area where you can expect to know your neighbours and be part of a strong community network.

The fibrolite baches which were the norm here 20 years ago are now a rare and quaint sight. Many have been demolished and replaced with substantial modern homes.

Until recently, the area had a fairly even selection of homes from every decade since the 1920s, but new subdivisions mean that large, quality contemporary homes now dominate.

Beachlands and Maraetai each have a combined primary and intermediate school. For the secondary school years, pupils generally go to Howick College.

Most residents take advantage of the fact that they're out of the area almost daily by doing their shopping where there's more choice and lower prices. But, locally, all the basics are covered.

Beachlands and Maraetai both have great swimming beaches, hence the endless line of day-trippers heading out to Maraetai every sunny summer weekend. Omana Regional Park, between the two hamlets, has beach, bush and farm. Neighbouring Te Puru Park has sports fields. Nearby Whitford Forest has tracks for mountain biking, walking and horseriding.

A hidden treasure is Shelly Bay, a classic little east coast beach backed by pohutukawa-lined cliffs and reached via a short bush track.

The Formosa Auckland Country Club has a golf course, as well as a small gym, tennis courts and a swimming pool and spa pool with sea views.

Experienced and novice horseriders and sailors are well catered for. As for dining out, the focus is on takeaways rather than silver service here which reflects the family-oriented culture rather than any down-at-heel demographic.

And let's face it, if you don't feel like catching the ferry into the CBD to make your selection from hundreds of dining establishments, then a picnic on the beach is probably just the ticket.

TrendsBeachlands and Maraetai experienced the highest growth in the recent boom but, while most of the area's sales have levelled out, Maraetai, in particular, has continued on a buoyant path. The image of Beachlands and Maraetai as backwater locales has definitely changed to one of desirability by Aucklanders and others.

New subdivisions in Beachlands (bye bye, farmland) mean there are sections and new homes available and lots of construction busy-ness.
There are fewer places available in Maraetai, generally no more than six at any given time. Prices are very similar in the two areas.

Rental and investmentRentals are not abundant, especially in Maraetai. The properties are so valuable that investors are looking more for capital gain on a sale.

Best streetsThere's really no unfortunate street in Maraetai. In Beachlands, the clifftop streets are still the favourites: Hawke Cres, Ealing Cres and First View Ave.