Donna McIntyre: First step on the ladder

0H/15 Hopetoun Street, Freemans Bay. Photo / Supplied

Olivia Wilson and Jared Walsh were delighted by the size of this one-bedroom, freehold Freemans Bay apartment when they came to view it in Hopetoun Residences 18 months ago.

"It was the first property we bought together," says Olivia. "We loved the location and the size of the apartment. Plus we have two living areas. It is spacious and it is well-built."

At first the couple could commute on foot to their jobs in the CBD, or go up to the bars and restaurants of Ponsonby Rd or even K Rd.

And now Olivia is at home with 7-month old Eloise, she appreciates the location for how handy it is to Western Park, across the road.

The first part of the living area in their apartment is accessed directly as you come in, on the ground level of the complex.

The kitchen, with its Caesarstone bench, Bosch oven, elements and dishwasher is on the left with a small dining table. Throughout the living and bedroom areas, the ceilings are 2.7m high.

Moving towards the balcony is the second living area. Before Eloise was born, Olivia and Jared used this as a formal dining room but now it is a nursery.

"We get the afternoon sun in here. And the space is quite versatile," says Olivia.

The carpeted bedroom and tiled bathroom, with underfloor heating and heated towel rail, are on the right side of the lounge, also carpeted.

The bedroom window and the balcony, where there is a wall herb garden, have an outlook over Western Park. Also close by is the tennis court and swimming pool that the residents of this 12-level apartment building have use of.

Olivia says the other residents in the building are friendly. "They organise lots of social evenings." The building is also pet-friendly.

Olivia says there is good storage with the kitchen pantry and then a storage unit on the same level, just across the hallway.

"We have our suitcases and snowboards and other random things in there. It's good to have that extra storage.

"And the apartment has a lot of high-end appliances, the underfloor heating and the stone bench; these are all good features."

She says no changes were needed when they moved in as the apartment was immaculate. "And it will be the same for the next owners.

"We were first home buyers; it was a good start to get into the housing market.
"We would love to stay here but we are moving overseas.

"It would also suit someone who wants a lock-and-leave place, maybe someone who wants to live in Auckland only during the week or use the apartment as a bolthole. It could also suit an investor as it has a good rental potential. These are sought-after apartments.

"It is peaceful here; we have double-glazed windows so you don't hear much. It is a quiet street, we hear the birds chirping, being close to the park. It doesn't seem like you are right in the city, which is good when you have a little baby."

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