Mt Roskill

Ex-state houses, character bungalows, smart townhouses, cliff-top mansions - you name it, Mt Roskill's got it. Variety is the spice of this central-isthmus suburb, and that goes for the people who live there as much as the houses they live in.

Jenny Caston of Barfoot & Thompson bought her first home in Mt Roskill in 1981 and loves the multicultural community and mix of families, first-home buyers, young professionals and retired folk.

She says the wider Mt Roskill area, which encompasses Waikowhai, Hillsborough and Three Kings, has fantastic community facilities, including parks, sports and recreation centres, two golf courses, a library and a swimming pool. Equidistant between St Lukes and Royal Oak, it's also well serviced for shopping.

A big drawcard for Mt Roskill's burgeoning immigrant population is the highly regarded co-ed Mt Roskill Grammar School. Other parts of the suburb are in-zone for nearby Lynfield College. There are several primary and intermediate schools in the area and the Unitec campus is just up the road in Mt Albert.

Only 10 minutes' drive from the airport, Mt Roskill is popular with airport workers, and also those employed in the suburb's industrial areas. There is good bus transport into the city for anyone forced to work in town.

Bob Raynes of Harveys has also lived in Mt Roskill for years, and says people tend to rent in the area while they save a deposit to buy their own home, then they'll put down roots there and stay. He says property prices in the suburb have seen a steady increase in past years, but without the overheated peaks experienced elsewhere. An entry-level, three-bedroom home on a half section will go for about $300,000, whereas properties on the Hillsborough ridge exceed the million-dollar mark.

What makes Mt Roskill special?

Mt Roskill's multicultural population has earned it a reputation as the ethnic capital of New Zealand. There is a big Muslim presence in the area, as well as Indian, Chinese and Pacific communities, among others. This means colourful local markets, authentic ethnic restaurants, a wide choice of places of worship and a United Nations of accents and languages on the streets.

Watch out for ...

Transit New Zealand has big plans for State Highway 20, which will cut through the Mt Roskill area, eventually connecting the southwestern and northwestern motorways. There's debate about whether this will be an inconvenience or a blessing to residents: some feel it will jeopardise the community feeling of the area, whereas others are looking forward to eased congestion on the local roads and faster access to other parts of the city. Construction is scheduled for completion by 2008.

For details, see www.sh20mountroskill.co.nz

Need to know

Median 2004 house sale price - approximately $348,500

Driving time to city - off-peak: 10-15 minutes, peak: 20-30 minutes