Whether you have grown up in New Zealand, or you are moving to the area to start a fresh, new life, knowing where to live can be a daunting imposition in your decision. To make this decision, you are always looking for a balance between the value of the place you are buying, the cost of living in the place you are buying, and the environment in which you are going to be living in. The triangle formed from these three may never be a perfectly equivalent pull, so as you are looking for your home, and weighing your option, you need to determine what your comfortable range is with each determining factor. Here are some tips on buying a first home in Auckland.
Ahhh, the city life. Great for being close to all of the fine establishments that the city has to offer. Do you enjoy not worrying about driving drunk? The city is great for that because you can walk back to your place after a night on the town. There is also an abundance of public transport to get you where you need to go. What you are giving up, however, is space and peacefulness. When you live in a city, you are still basically living in an apartment, you just might own it instead of renting it. No back yard, no real space to spread out in. And, there are always going to be people around doing one thing or another.
If you were to move a little ways outside the city, you could live in Ponsonby. This suburb could best be described as the artsy district, with boutiques, vintage shops, and music and art dominating the scene. Most homes here are renovated villas, some might need more renovation as they are not guaranteed to have central heating or insulation. You do get more space in this style home, and most villas have verandas to give you an outside space.
Other suburbs in the area include Parnell, Newmarket, and Mount Eden, all of which have their various appeals. Auckland seems to be a cultural epicenter for New Zealand, as music and art is in abundant supply around every corner.
Buying Your First Home
The first, and probably most important thing that a first time home buyer in Auckland needs to know is that they will more than likely not end up in an immaculate, beautiful house like you see in magazine or on TV. Instead, they are going to end up in an older style home that is functional but needs some TLC as the years progress. Buyers should also be aware that New Zealand home prices are largely dependent on the school zone in which they are located. If you have kids, this is something immediate to consider, and if not, it is something to weigh against the amount of money thrown into the renovation pot.
Buying a first home can be an incredibly scary task. These tips on buying a first home in Auckland have hopefully served to enlighten you on your search. The first thing you need to do is scout out the neighbour-hood and determine what you can and cannot handle in the environmental setting. Then, you move on to finding the home that is in a suburb or building that you like and is still in your budget. Go through all the legal processes and then you will become a first time home owner.