Epsom

The faces of Epsom have changed noticeably in recent years with many education-aware Asians making the area their home. Many of the suburb's decades-old family names, finding the upkeep of their grounds costly and time-consuming, have moved on.

Rightly or wrongly, many of their homesteads have been flattened and replaced with modern townhouses.

Many families choose to live in Epsom, especially those with secondary school-age children. The closeness to numerous quality private and public schools makes Epsom an idyllic choice for parents not wanting to travel too far for the school round.

Although mostly full of moneyed families, Epsom is still a suburb for young professionals, as long as they are earning big dollars. Some are ex-pats, mostly from Britain.

Epsom was settled mainly around the turn of the century, so there are many villas of 1900-1920s vintage as well as 1920s and 1930s bungalows. Most of these houses are on large sections. Infill housing constructed over the past decade means there are now also many large townhouses, mostly of brick and tile or plaster construction. Small units, sometimes in blocks, complete the spectrum of properties.

Amenities

The schooling is definitely top quality, including many of the sought-after public and private schools, both secondary and primary. Apart from the collection of antique and other small shops at Greenwoods Corner, Epsom itself is not big on shops. But with Newmarket down the road, and the city and the improved St Lukes mall close by, residents want for nothing when it comes to retail therapy.

Epsom has plenty of sports clubs for hockey, football, bowling, croquet, tennis and netball as well as the Auckland Trotting Club. There is the refurbished Lido Cinema, the Epsom library and Epsom Community Centre.

Eateries abound; there is some delightful ethnic cuisine in the form of Haveli India, One Italy, Phoenix Garden Chinese and the Sake Bar Nippon.

Trends

Notwithstanding the large number of desirable houses in Epsom, education is a major driver of demand and high prices. The supply of families wishing to buy in the Auckland (for boys) and Epsom Girls grammar school zones isn't easing. Currently, a house in the grammar zone will command a premium of more than $100,000 compared to an identical house outside the zone.

Rental and investment

Schooling also drives a frantic demand for rentals. Investors don't necessarily take advantage though as buying a rental property isn't cheap.

Best streets

Mountain Road, Shipherds Avenue, Brightside Road, Almorah Road and Omana Avenue.