Jocelyn smiles. "But by the time the development had been done we suddenly sat up and realised it would have been marvellous."
Fortunately, they managed to buy an about-to-be completed apartment from a London investor who'd bought two off the plans.
They moved in nearly eight years ago and, Jim says, "We've been very happy here ever since. We both like the lounge with its great views, sun and all the light. Almost everyone who comes here says - like you - 'Wow, look at that view'."
Their apartment opens out to generous decks on two sides and faces the sparkling waters of the lake and a stand of mature trees. The lakeside block of nine apartments shares a gym and a heated outdoor pool with eight two-storey villas nearer the road.
The roomy apartment's layout puts the master bedroom and main open-plan lounge-dining-kitchen ringside to the gorgeous view.
"There aren't many apartments which get all-day sun, and we do," Jim points out.
Throughout the day the sun moves around the apartment, complementing its underfloor heating and culminating in glorious sunsets out the front.
The couple enjoys watching the goings on on the lake, thankful a ban on powered craft leaves it suitable for gracefully gliding swans, wind-surfers and school boat races. "I like listening to the birds at night - they make the most amazing noises," adds Jocelyn.
There's visitor parking out the front of the solid concrete apartments, which were designed by Leuschke Group Architects. The Andersons have two spaces in the underground carpark opening directly to their level. A secure video-intercom system enables them to let visitors into an entry foyer with a lift down to their apartment.
Inside their home, you're immediately drawn to the view through floor-to-ceiling glass on two sides of the open-plan lounge-dining-kitchen. The already generous wood-floored expanse can be enlarged by pushing back big glass stacked sliding doors to unite it with the deck. The Andersons enjoy curling up in their second living area in winter - a flexible media room with two sides of opaque-glass sliding doors.
The lakeside front master suite with dressing room and double-basin en suite is bolstered by two further good-size bedrooms (one of which Jim uses as an office). There's also a separate laundry and a second bathroom featuring the same design of square Italian basin and textured tiles as the en suite. The couple says having lovely fellow residents in the luxury complex has been an added bonus.
They've been delighted with the convenience of their location, a mere stroll from Takapuna's shops and eateries and just across the road from the beach.
After eight years here the couple has decided an apartment in a Takapuna retirement village will be the perfect next step.
