This part of Auckland is a seductive mix of city living and casual beachy lifestyle.
Buyers stepping up to a coastal lifestyle move here from the cheaper inland shore suburbs. South African, Asian and English migrants like putting down roots here.
Browns Bay's apartments are giving locals the chance to downsize
from family homes to holiday-style living.
Sea views are the focus of all the homes built along the bays.
The large numbers of 1970s architecturally designed family homes give the area a sense of individuality that is lacking in some parts of Torbay/Glenvar, where streets were defined by the developers of the day. Newer houses tend to have a Mediterranean style and subtropical gardens. Pinehill has big new homes popular with Asians. Browns Bay now includes several apartment buildings.
Amenities
Long Bay College in Torbay, is nationally known for its creative arts and technology teaching.
Browns Bay's village is the retail hub of the East Coast Bays. With the beach just 100m away, it may be casual but has everything covered.
Torbay has a small shopping centre and several restaurants and takeaway bars.
For Okura and Long Bay residents, the nearest shops are Torbay, Albany and Northcross. The Albany Mega Centre is a quick drive along Oteha Valley Road.
All the beaches are beauties, but Waiake Beach is the best. The hugely popular Long Bay Regional Park has a 1km long golden beach, with a restaurant and playground.
The northern East Coast Bays area has plenty of sports grounds and clubs as well as the East Coast Bays Leisure Centre in Browns Bay. The Pupuke Golf Course is close by.
Art Ducko at Torbay is a popular local restaurant. Browns Bay has a great selection of eateries including Spaghetti and Speakers Corner Ale House.
Trends
Cyclical real estate movement is stalling the upper end of the market, from $1 million, on the seaward side of Beach Road. Demand in the $600,000 to $800,000 bracket is huge.
Torbay and Glenvar were originally cheaper areas built for the first-home market. They've picked up solid capital gains recently. New homes without views in the Pinehill area range in price from $600,000 to $800,000.
It's difficult to find a home close to the water for under $600,000.
Rental and investment
Returns are standard throughout these bays. English and South African migrants are always looking for six- to 12-month tenancies while they settle into the area.
Best streets
All the coastal top-spots, including Sharon Road in Browns Bay, Churchill Road in Rothesay Bay, and Cliff Road and Gilberd Place in Torbay.
This part of Auckland is a seductive mix of city living and casual beachy lifestyle.
Buyers stepping up to a coastal lifestyle move here from the cheaper inland shore suburbs. South African, Asian and English migrants like putting down roots here.
Browns Bay's apartments are giving locals the chance to downsize
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