Oratia

In off-peak traffic it takes only 20 minutes to drive from the bustling centre of Auckland city to the sleepy little semi-rural district of Oratia, nestled into the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges. But the charm of the area is such that you feel like you're hundreds of miles, or hundreds of years, from the big city scene.

Bordering Titirangi along Scenic Dr, Oratia has much in common with that bush-clad suburb, but Oratia's north-facing aspect, less hilly terrain and pastoral heritage mean its properties are usually larger and sunnier.

Unlike Titirangi and its seaside neighbours Laingholm and Huia - where the housing stock includes small baches and cottages built in the days when the area was a holiday destination for Aucklanders - Oratia was settled by orchardists, so its older homes are usually more substantial farmhouses on farmland blocks of at least 4ha. There is also a fair number of large family homes built in the 1970s and 1980s, and some more recent properties.

The rising popularity of the area is reflected in the fact that Barfoot & Thompson is opening an office in Titirangi to cope with demand from city homeowners keen to move out to Titirangi, Oratia and other nearby villages. "Feedback from our central offices is that it is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice for people wanting to escape the city and the suburbs," says Barbara Smith, who will be managing the new branch.

Craig Darroch of Harveys, Titirangi, says many homebuyers haven't heard of this secret little locale when they are drawn to the area by Titirangi's reputation. "The most popular properties in Oratia are nice little lifestyle blocks suitable for a couple of sheep - people love a paddock. Oratia is a different world. It's not 100 per cent rural but it's certainly semi-rural. You can have a couple of acres in Titirangi, but all you're buying is privacy because it's all bush and it's protected."

Darroch says prices tend to reflect the large sections and substantial family homes, attracting families buying their second, third or fourth house rather than young couples. "We have regular sales in the $550,000 to $750,000 range, and prices in the $600,000 to $1.1 million range are common," he says. "I don't think our office has sold anything for less than $450,000 in the last 18 months."

He says Oratia ranked among the top 10 Auckland suburbs in terms of percentage capital gain between mid-2003 and mid-2004.

Many families buy into the area to be close to the decile 9 Oratia Primary School, he says. "There's also a kindergarten and a play-group for smaller children. Oratia's proximity to West Coast bushwalks and beaches is another pull for many families, especially those with teenagers who spend a lot time swimming or surfing at Piha or Karekare."

What makes Oratia special?

In the foothills on the north-facing side of the Waitakere Ranges, Oratia has the benefits of nearby Titirangi, without the hilly terrain, mosquitoes and lack of sun.

Watch out for ...

If you're thinking of buying 4ha of former orchard in Oratia with a view to subdividing it and retiring rich, think again. The Auckland Regional Council and the Waitakere City Council are considering a bill which, if passed by the government, would protect not only the Waitakere Ranges, but also foothill areas, such as Oratia, from future "death by a thousand cuts". Even without that legislation, the rules regarding subdivision are strict, so check with the council before buying.

Need to know

Median 2004 house sale price - approximately $625,000

Driving time to city - off-peak 20 minutes, peak 45 minutes