It was a challenge for Nancy Littler and her partner to step on to the property ladder in Fordlands 31 years ago, but the affordable house prices have since made it possible for her to help her own children into their first homes too.
When Littler and her partner bought their Fordlands home in 1987 it cost them $52,000.
"It was an absolute wreck, but we liked the state houses because they were big and made of solid wood and we couldn't afford to buy a new home."
They settled in the area because her partner's family already lived there, his mum and aunties, tucked away on Meadowbank Cres.
Now both of her daughters, a niece and countless other family members have been helped on to the property ladder because Littler saw an opportunity in the low-cost market.
"They got in there before the prices really shot up, it would have been four or five years ago that my daughter bought her home and that was $143,000."
She said like hers they all needed a lot of work, but that should be the expectation for first home buyers because things like a fancy kitchen cost the extra money.
Recently her neighbour's home sold for close to $300,000 and Littler said she couldn't believe it.
"My hope for this area is to see more young families buying their own houses because they can afford to do it here and then do it up over time, but there are houses on this street now selling over $300,000."
She said a lot of the properties were being purchased by Auckland investors who were giving them "a lick of paint and some new drapes" then renting them out for "exorbitant" prices.
"We want people here who are invested in the community and the prices are shooting up because investors are willing to pay more.
"I would like to see lower income families buying them."
Her own children now have the opportunity to be mortgage-free in their 50s or to sell and move on for a profit, she said.
"I love having my grandchildren around me though, so hopefully they choose to stay."
Littler said she knew the suburb had a negative reputation but that was not her own experience of living there.
"We have had no issues in 31 years, we have never had a single thing stolen, we are just careful.
"I know all of my neighbours and it is a really nice community. For Guy Fawkes last year we had a big celebration and barbecue in the middle of the road and all the kids were out playing together."
She is surrounded by her daughters, her son who lives in the granny flat out back, seven grandchildren and extended family, but said even in the "bad" parts of Fordlands people felt the same.
"They all still have families, aunties and nans and even older gang members who want better for them."
She said the Fordlands Community Association was active in bringing up the community and hopefully one day it would all have the strong family feel.