KEY POINTS:
Including Highland Park and Edgewater
Pakuranga is the Botany Downs of the 1960s. That's when the farmland in this area was subdivided and turned into the great Kiwi suburban dream.
Families loved it then and, although it's been mocked relentlessly for being embarrassingly suburban,
it's got a lot going for it.
It's relatively affordable, has easy access to good beaches, boating and schools, and is the closest eastern suburb to Auckland's CBD. To the north-east, Highland Park is more elevated, with some houses having views back to the city.
After being the place to bring up kids for generations, Pakuranga's population has aged as new generations have grown up and moved to more desirable areas.
But now the well-built homes on large sections with mature trees are being seen as a compelling alternative to a tiny townhouse on a small section.
If you're after a solidly built weatherboard or brick home with internal-access garaging, you'll have plenty of choice. More modest homes are available in Edgewater, southeast of Pakuranga.
Amenities
Appropriately for such a family-oriented area, Pakuranga abounds with schools at all levels, although decile ratings vary wildly. The highly regarded co-ed private school St Kentigern College is also in the neighbourhood.
The Pakuranga Town Centre shopping mall, which opened in 1965 to serve the new growing suburb, is now a much-improved Westfield Shopping Centre, with about 80 retailers.
Just a few minutes drive from Westfield is The Hub on Ti Rakau Dr, with its emphasis on home decor. And opposite The Hub is the inimitable Botany Town Centre. Highland Park has its own shopping centre.
Pakuranga residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to open recreational spaces. Lloyd Elsmore Park has everything from tennis courts and golf courses to horse riding and croquet, badminton and bowls.
The Lloyd Elsmore Pool & Leisure Complex includes a 25m pool for lane swimming, a 15m teaching and water therapy pool, and a 25m leisure pool, which incorporates a toddlers' splash pool, complete with fun fountains.
There is also a creche, cafe, gym, spa pool, sauna and steam room.
Pakuranga also has several gyms, a skate park, a beautiful golf course on Cascades Rd, and a boat ramp at Tiraumea Drive reserve, which gives access to the Tamaki Estuary.
Te Tuhi - The Mark on Reeves Rd is a friendly and diverse centre for community, cultural and arts events and exhibitions.
Trends
Pakuranga seemed completely developed by the 1980s but after a lull of about 10 years smaller sections became acceptable and infill housing took off.
Two-bedroom units within walking distance of Pakuranga Plaza are popular with retirees, and the well-renovated examples sell in the high $200,000s or low $300,000s.
Highland Park prices are consistently higher than Pakuranga prices, with three-bedroom homes fetching late $300,000s/early $400,000s.
Best streets
Desirable streets include Kentigern Cl, Browns Ave, Udys Rd, Portadown Ave and Chatsworth Cres.