Trade Me reveals surprise top suburbs - and the best streets

When it comes to number two on the list in Auckland, Mt Eden continues to attract new residents every year, wooed by the schools, (many houses fall into the double grammar zone), the bustling village of cafes and bookshops, the eateries of Dominion Road and its handy location to venues like Eden Park.

Mt Eden best streets: According to local agents Ray White Mt Eden’s Rick Mozessohn and Barfoot & Thompson’s Liz Byers, Grange Road, Ashton Road, Woodford Road and Henley Road would be in the top four streets though you’re spoilt for choice.

Liz Byers, who moved with her family to Mt Eden over a year ago herself from Onehunga is loving the suburb, known for its elegant villas and leafy streets.

“I love walking through Mt Eden village, past all the cafes and then up Maungawhau with the dog for the best view of Auckland city you can find. Our family also enjoys choosing somewhere casual to eat on Dominion Road on a Friday or Saturday night where there is so much choice with different cuisines - giving the area such character.”

Herne Bay and Ponsonby residents may have their noses put out of joint to find that Grey Lynn has pipped them to the post when it comes to Trade Me Property top property searches but this suburb seems to have taken on the “just right” category, says Gavin Lloyd.

Grey Lynn best streets: Top roads according to local agents Ray White’s Scott Wither and Bayleys Cristina Casares are Rose Road, Richmond Road, Scanlan Street and Sussex Street.

“The beauty of Grey Lynn homes is that they sit on sites that are typically larger than nearby Ponsonby ones and if you buy in the right street, you’re still very close to Ponsonby anyway - so you get the best of both worlds, “ says Casares.

Architecture lecturer Gina Hochstein and her husband Adrian Kelly bought in Sussex Street in Grey Lynn late last year, Hochstein having previously lived in Sandringham and Mount Eden.

Grey Lynn was the ultimate place for them to live for lifestyle and work. Both with busy careers, they like being able to walk everywhere when out and about in their spare time. The heritage architect immediately warmed to the small two bedroom, two storey worker’s cottage they found in their search. Built in the late 1890s, a compact 84 sqm on a 155 sq m site, it is one of a row of three and they like to sit out on the front porch with their breakfast coffees and watch life go by.

“The steps act like an extension of the dining room,” says Hochstein.

The couple had considered Freemans Bay and Ponsonby when they started their search. “But we liked Grey Lynn better because you’ve still got Ponsonby Road very close and it’s incredibly quiet,” says Hochstein.

The Grey Lynn resident agrees with Bayleys agent Cristina Casares that you get more land for your money in Grey Lynn and more house too than in nearby Ponsonby.

“Ponsonby prices were another $200,000 or $250,000 more for their price range in the mid $1 millions,” she says. The architecture lecturer has plans to add value to the home, moving the kitchen and dining room to inhabit the garden more and creating a new bedroom which will also be a music room.

Gina likes the fact that Grey Lynn has public green spaces. Grey Lynn Park is walking distance from their home and Kelly’s son likes to play on the swings there. The couple feel very connected to the community thanks to the park. Other favourite Grey Lynn spots they like to frequent are Copain French bakery and cafe, Suite Gallery and Public Record.

The nation’s capital is a fascinating housing market with each suburb having such a different character, says Gavin Lloyd. Trade Me Property’s most searched suburbs in July were Hataitai, Khandallah and Thorndon.

“Those looking for a home in the capital could be in luck, with no shortage of supply and prices easing. If we look at listings on Trade Me we’ve seen year-on-year growth of more than 38 per cent while prices over the same period are down 2.9 per cent,” he said.

Hataitai is popular for a number of reasons, including its good primary schools, proximity to all of Wellington’s senior schools and its great village,” say local agent. “It’s one of the capital’s most family friendly suburbs and so close to the city,” said Harcourts agent, Erin Rush.

Hataitai best streets: The suburb’s three best streets according to Hataitai resident, Rush and Tommy’s Ben Ryan are Matai Road, Waipapa Road and Overtoun Terrace.

“Hataitai has a proper village with different kinds of shops from the typical chemist and cafes to a pilates studio and a pub,” said Rush. “There’s excellent public transport connections - you can jump on a bus to town without worrying about looking at a timetable.”

Khandallah has two sides to it, the dress circle of streets close to the cute village complete with library and swimming pool, and the ocean-facing roads as you enter the suburb from below with contemporary properties clinging to the hillside.

Agents Ray White’s Ben Stevens and NZ Sotheby’s International Realty Wayne Kemp think it’s all about proximity to the village when it comes to the best streets in this popular suburb.

Khandallah best streets: They recommend Nicholson Road, Everest Street, Izard Road, all a quick walk to the village. If it’s jaw-dropping sea views you want, then Elgin Way, Jubilee Road and Rama Crescent are popular.

“Khandallah isn’t a suburb you drive-through - it’s more of a destination and people like it because it’s reasonably flat and it has a vibrant village with a supermarket and cafes and boutiques,” said Kemp. “Another plus is that it’s an easy commute into town.”

Thorndon remains a beloved inner Wellington suburb with a range of institutions and venues including the Botanical Gardens, Premier House and Katherine Mansfield House & Garden.

Thorndon best streets: Just Paterson’s Caroline Collison and Tommy’s Alexia Stoddart say the best streets in Thorndon are Hobson Street, Grant Road, Hill Street and some smaller streets like Goring Street and Poplar Grove.

Thorndon resident, Don, lives with his partner on one of the suburb’s best known streets, Hobson Street, home to a number of embassies and Queen Margaret College.

The former Aucklander says the suburb has a lot of grand old properties built for the wealthy in the 19th century, so it reminds him of Parnell.

“Thorndon is an inner city suburb that’s like a quiet little nook of Wellington yet it’s just a walk away from the CBD. Mount Victoria has much more of a city feel about it, whereas Thorndon is this delightful little suburban paradise,” he says.

The residents of Thorndon are a real mix, adds Don. Some are retirees, a lot of people who live there work in the CBD, and there's quite a big renting population because of the supply of high rise apartment buildings.

“The Garden City of Christchurch is attracting a lot of Aucklanders and Wellingtonians these days, joining the many happy Cantabrians who already live there. Whether you’re buying or renting, Christchurch is significantly more affordable by comparison,” says Gavin Lloyd.

“At the top of their list they’re looking at Fendalton, Cashmere and Merivale, Trade Me Property’s top three most searched suburbs for July,” he said.

Christchurch agents Bayleys Adam Heazlewood and Harcourts Holmwood’s Kathryn Picton-Warlow helped us with the top streets in Fendalton and Merivale and with some local intel.

Fendalton, arguably Christchurch’s poshest suburb, has less density with larger sites per property and bigger homes than neighbouring Merivale. Buyers coming into Fendalton are interested in getting a good piece of land, to underpin the value of the usually substantial home, according to local agents. Fendalton is close to the Avon River Ōtākaro and some properties have river frontage.

Fendalton Best Streets: Heazlewood and Picton-Warlow said some of Fendalton’s best streets are Wairarapa Terrace, Heathfield Ave, and Waiwetu Street while Helmores Lane also received a mention for both Fendalton and Merivale.

There’s a vibe to Cashmere that a lot of people like, said local agent, Ray White’s Shane Langman. It tends to have great views, and you’re still only about 12 minutes’ drive during off-peak times from town.

Cashmere best streets: According to agents, NZ Sotheby’s International Realty’s Emma King and Langman, Cashmere’s best streets are MacMillan Ave, Westenra Terrace, Harry Ell Drive, Holliss Ave and Longhurst Tce.

Merivale has had zoning changes allowing higher density in the suburb, and as a result land values have risen, say local agents. Merivale has had more townhouses built replacing older homes and streets tend to be narrower than nearby Fendalton, they say. Near to town and with close access to Hagley Park, Merivale also has a great shopping hub with its own mall and other cafes and restaurants around it.

Merivale’s best streets according to the local agents included Fulton Ave, Mcdougall Ave, Garden Road, and Queens Ave.