Property Report: So you want to live in... West Harbour

A view from the summit of Mt Albert/Owairaka. Photo / Chris Skelton

Being near the water is a big draw card for West Harbour residents, says Ashley Campbell.

Between Te Atatu Peninsula to the south and Hobsonville to the north, West Harbour is a suburb that has grown up in the past 30 to 40 years.

The area was once dominated by clay and brick works, but housing development began in the 1970s, and in 1979 West Harbour School opened with a roll of 150 children. In 1981 West Harbour and neighbouring Ranui were the former Waitakere City Council's fastest growing areas, and that school roll has now grown to more than 400.

Further growth followed once West Park Marina was built. Construction began in 1983 and finished two years later, leading to the development of more housing, industry and commerce nearby, with restaurants, cafes and retail stores, as well as a cluster of marine-related businesses.

Locals tend to talk of "Hobsonville/West Harbour", as the suburbs flow seamlessly into one another, and both identify with the same facilities. Indeed, June Kearney, president of the Hobsonville/West Harbour Residents and Ratepayers' Association - and a former Waitakere City Councillor - says: "West Harbour itself doesn't really have a centre. It just has a collection of houses."

Both also have a water focus - thanks to the marina. That water focus is one of the factors that drew local solicitor David Dillon and his family to the area: "I get out on the water as much as I can," he says. As well as living there, he began practising in West Harbour in 1993, to fulfil his desire to work closer to home.

The continuing growth means it's been a good area for a solicitor whose work is mainly property related, he says. And it's not about to end.

Just over the newly extended and upgraded State Highway 18, Massey North has been designated as one of Auckland's future growth area, with plans for industry, commerce and housing. Massey North Town Centre is part of Auckland's $325 million Northern Strategic Growth Area project, and is set to provide 5770 jobs and homes for 7000 residents.

The growth, abundance of properties with water views - at a much cheaper price than on the North Shore or in the eastern suburbs - proximity to Kumeu and its wineries and lifestyle activities are major draw cards.

Improved transport links to the city and North Shore also help. Ferries travel to town and back at approximately 20-minute intervals during the morning and evening rush hours, Monday to Friday (the trip takes around 35 minutes). As well, the SH16 and SH18 upgrades, part of the enhanced Western Ring Route are on track for early completion this year, bringing Albany and the North Shore even closer.

"The area has always provided a safe haven for families to grow up in and offers many attractions and benefits to the residents," says David Cattanach of Harcourts Hobsonville. "It has access to great schooling, with school buses taking secondary school pupils to North Shore schools like Kristin, Westlake Girls' and Westlake Boys'."

"People want to live here because it's close to Albany and close to the city, but you feel you are in the country," says Janet Jones of Bayleys North West.

"Members of my family have always called West Harbour 'Pleasantville', after the movie, and it's a very apt title," says June Kearney. "It has lovely homes and streets, harbour views, the marina, great schools, and a safe neighbourhood."

PROPERTY PRICES
At entry level, a three- to four-bedroom home on a section of 450-650sq m will cost from the early $300,000s to the early $500,000s. A mid-level property of the same size costs from $500,000-$900,000. And at the top end, a four- to five-bedroom home on a section of 650-900sq m costs from $900,000-$2 million.

RENTS
An average two-bedroom rental costs around $360, rising to $450 for three bedrooms and $600-plus for four or more bedrooms.

BEST STREETS
Courtneys, Mansion Court and Seacrest Dr.

SCHOOLS IN THE AREA
Marina View, West Harbour, Hobsonville and St Paul's (Massey) schools and Massey High. As well, school buses go to Kristin School, Westlake Boys' and Girls' high schools and ACG Sunderland School.

ON THE MARKET
At 56A Lagoon Way, Graham Lewis and Jennie Melville of Harcourts Hobsonville have listed a three-bedroom, two-bathroom 160sq m duplex home with a double garage on a 424sq m section, with an asking price of $459,000. Solomon Kim, also of Harcourts Hobsonville, is marketing a five-bedroom, two-bathroom, double-living area home, with an office and double garage at 13 Vermeer Pl. It's listed at $649,000.At 36 Marguerita Pl, Terry and Janet Jones of Bayleys North West have listed a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, double garage, two-storey waterfront property with a home theatre and indoor swimming pool, listed at $1.15 million. They have also listed a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-garage brick home on a 2ha lifestyle block at 17B Scott Rd, with a swimming pool, 60sq m shed and loading race, priced at $1.75 million.

WHERE TO:

GO SHOPPING
Westgate
Main St, ph 831-0200
westgateshoppingcentre.co.nz

Just across SH16 in Massey, the open-air Westgate shopping centre has a Farmers and a Warehouse, 11 fashion stores, Event Cinemas, 10-pin bowling, a medical centre, gym, electronics stores, a Countdown supermarket, food hall, several cafes and much more. It also has an outlet centre with nine cut-price stores.

BERTH YOUR BOAT
West Park Marina
18 Clearwater Cove, ph 416-7447
westpark.co.nz

As well as berthing your yacht or launch, you'll find all the necessary boat maintenance services at West Park Marina: a boat builder, chandlery, marine broker, engineers, painters and upholsterers. This is also where you'll catch the ferry to the city on weekdays, and it is also home to a restaurant and bar, café, superette, hairdresser, as well as a dentist and an accounting firm.

GO FOR A WALK
Moire Park (off Moire Rd or Granville Dr)
Luckens Reserve (off Marina View Dr)

Several parks are dotted around the West Harbour/Hobsonville area - Moire Park is the largest. Around half the park is bush-covered, providing a haven for those who like peaceful bush walks, but it also has sports fields catering to rugby, athletics, touch and other sports. Luckens Reserve is on the harbour, for those who like to mix their open spaces with water views. Both parks have playgrounds, barbecue and picnic facilities.