6 Dudley Rd, Mission Bay, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Having discovered a sun-drenched property with fine harbour views when they were in their 40s, Paul and Murlene Saker have delightedly stayed put into their 90s, albeit with a change of house along the way.
Paul, 92, and Murlene, 91, were thrilled to find a big north-facing property set down a long driveway nearly half a century ago in 1971.
Paul says: "I walked down the driveway and said, 'This is us'."
They so loved its sunny orientation and outlook across the harbour to Rangitoto that they weren't prepared to farewell it when they wanted a home more lock-up-and-leave than the character one they originally lived in down this driveway.
As the property had 2340sq m of land, they were able to subdivide it into three properties. They sold the one with the character home, sold the second to a builder to build himself a home, and arranged he'd build them another home on the third.
Paul says: "We built our house so all our living rooms would capture the view and the sun, which just pours inside."
He retired as finance director of a large company in 1986 and their two-storey home completed that year has been a brilliant base for extensive overseas travel as well as being great to entertain in.
It is made of brick accented by cedar weatherboards with rimu interior accents. There are large decks off the living level and the upstairs bedroom level.
Its solar-heated swimming pool swathed in more decks has been appreciated by their daughters, granddaughters and great-grandchildren.
Paul says of their tranquil setting, well back from the road down a landscaped shared driveway: "It is amazingly quiet. At night you could hear a pin drop."
They have an internal-access double garage plus off-street parking. On the entry level, a long side-by-side promenade of kitchen-family room, dining room and lounge soak up
the sun and outlook.
Paul says: "The view of the harbour is glorious. We can see right out to the Coromandel with yachts, ferries and passenger ships adding to the scene."
Rimu doors between the family room, dining and lounge can create separate rooms or be opened up wide creating one big space spilling out to the deck, as used for Paul's 80th party.
The kitchen has granite benches and rimu cabinetry including a big pantry. Underfloor heating warms the tiled floor of the kitchen-family room.
Many a dinner party has been had in the dining room, sometimes discussing the couple's part-ownership in a succession of racehorses. The lounge features a wood-burning fireplace.
Also on this level are the entry foyer-hallway, powder room and, a few steps down, the laundry neighbouring the garage.
Three upstairs bedrooms are good sizes with sea views, although two have grandstand positions including the spacious master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite.
There's also a family bathroom on this level.
Paul reckons if there's any secret to their longevity it's been staying busy and the upstairs office of this fellow chartered accountant bears testament to that. It's been a sunny base for monitoring investments and keeping track of racehorse's successes.
The couple have appreciated being handy to Eastridge and former keen sportsman Paul reckons the walk around Tamaki Drive is as lovely a seaside walk as you'll find in cities worldwide.
The Sakers are loathe to leave the beloved home they've enjoyed for so long but they feel it's time to transition to a retirement village.