Coatesville dreaming

G'day All,

First time caller!

Just came across LSB after searching for facts about 'Linea Weatherboard' of all things!

We are a young couple with three kids (5, 3.5, 3 months) from West Auckland, looking to buy a small piece of land in Coatesville to build a home on. Lived in Auckland all my life (Northcote), but now would love to bring the kids up in Coatesville, and all that this lifestyle affords.

Like so many, Coatesville has become very, very expensive. I remember in the 80's going to get eggs in Albany and Coatesville, it 'seemed' so far away and rural... and not like it is today. How things have changed.

If anyone knows of available land in Coatesville (around 1 hectare) for sale, I would be extremely grateful to talk to them. We want to be part of the community, and with this give my kids the opportunity to grow up in a rural environment.

Cheers,
Greg

Hi FarNorthFarmer - welcome to LSB!!!

I can't think of a better place to bring kids up than by giving them exposure to rural life. Hope you find the sort of land you're looking for. Meantime, chill out here with us and enjoy the planning. What sorts of things do you want to have on your piece of paradise?

Cheers, Mich.

Mich;452849 wrote: Hi FarNorthFarmer - welcome to LSB!!!

I can't think of a better place to bring kids up than by giving them exposure to rural life. Hope you find the sort of land you're looking for. Meantime, chill out here with us and enjoy the planning. What sorts of things do you want to have on your piece of paradise?

Cheers, Mich.

G'day Mich,

Thank you for the welcome to LSB.

My wife has always wanted a few chickens! Plus the kune kune pig for scrap clean up. Whereas I'm just happy with clean air, and the sounds of rural life! Just having some space around you the main bonus.

It's something I always dreamed of living in the country as a kid, building huts, getting into mischief... If I can offer this chance to my kids, I'll do all I can to achieve it.

Cheers,
Greg

Welcome FNF. Why are you a Far North Farmer?

Don't get your hopes too high of peace and tranquillity in a built-up area on just one hectare. Even out in the middle of nearly nowhere, there are still neighbours, roads, stinky fires, the boom-boom-boom of someone's stereo up way too loud, kids on trail-bikes with no control on how long they ride next to your boundary ...

Good luck with the hunt though and no doubt there are still some places like paradise available.

Ruth;452867 wrote: Welcome FNF. Why are you a Far North Farmer?

Don't get your hopes too high of peace and tranquillity in a built-up area on just one hectare. Even out in the middle of nearly nowhere, there are still neighbours, roads, stinky fires, the boom-boom-boom of someone's stereo up way too loud, kids on trail-bikes with no control on how long they ride next to your boundary ...

Good luck with the hunt though and no doubt there are still some places like paradise available.

G'day Ruth,

Live in Auckland, heart in Otangaroa, Kaeo. []

Totally understand where your coming from about small block, but at the end of the day, it beats living in the suburbs of Auckland!

Cheers,
Greg

All a matter of degree!

Home is where the heart is? That's why I ended up back up here. You think you'll be able to resist that pull forever?

1 bare ha in Coatsville would probably cost you more than a house in the city, it is one of the most expensive areas of west auckland
so good luck with the dreaming!

What you reckon to a villa on 1.5 hectares advertised for $185k? On sealed road and school bus at the gate. Doubt you could buy the bare land for that anywhere near aucks.

FarNorthFarmer;452759 wrote:
If anyone knows of available land in Coatesville (around 1 hectare) for sale, I would be extremely grateful to talk to them. We want to be part of the community, and with this give my kids the opportunity to grow up in a rural environment.

Cheers,
Greg

yeah. hahah.
with nationals plan to bulldoze and pave, warkworth has basically become a commuter suburb of auckland. wellsford is next, then i'm going to have to dig/dynamite a moat to protect northland. install a one lane toll bridge. 500$ for any vehicle coming north. (koha for anyone heading south)

you'd do better to get out of the ratrace entirely, (go south!) waikato has plenty of space...

but no, if you're looking for property up yattaways, puhoi has some gems, i find waitakere just a bit queer, but beyond: kumeu huapai, hellensivlle, all viable options....(although becoming more auckland, which i'm guessing you want to get away from)

I just had the most beautiful few days as I saw my eldest daughter married. She was raised on LSB's from a child and while a Princess is the most beautiful caring girl you could have in your life. I TOTALLY believe that her rural upbringing gave her all the morals and concern and love of animals and people that made her the woman she is today.

On the other hand, just be careful about what you are buying into. Ruth is right about smaller blocks having as many (if different) issues as you get from inconsiderate neighbours in an urban area. I spent two years renting, post selling my last LSB finding an urban property that is quiet and friendly. You have to do that in reverse.

It is also very expensive as you are using your income after being taxed to pay to fix fences, pumps, Vet bills etc and no I do not want to burst your bubble as it IS a fantastic life for your children. Just do your homework big time!

Personally I think it's essential to have a dream - after all, that what most of us began with

But it's also not a bad idea to chuck any rose-tinted glasses firmly in the rubbish, I reckon, as there are many, many things to consider if you want your 'dream' to become as close to reality as possible. Here's my take on it (and I don't live in Auckland, so I might have the wrong perception of it, LOL)...

Many people would be quite happy on 1 hectare of land within commuting distance of their work/leisure activities, and there would be plenty of scope to have chooks and a decent vege garden/orchard area to supply you with food. However, as the others have said, with increasing urban sprawl and tighter council requirements on what you can build and do (not to mention a worrying trend towards making areas close to cities pay city rates), I think it's worth really thinking about what you want in the long-term. If you're not tied to or fixated on a particular area, you'd probably get more bang for your buck elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you want your kids to still have easy access to all the 'attractions' of the city, or be able to attend certain schools as they grow older, or you don't think you'll ever want to do more than look after a smaller block and perhaps a couple of animals, then I'd keep looking for your dream in the area of your choice.

I guess it all depends on how you define your dream lifestyle. But try and think about what the area will be like in 5 or 10 years time. Take a trip through the archives on LSB and read some of the posts about issues people have faced and things they wished they did or didn't have. The sticky thread on what makes the perfect lifestyle block is a good place to start if you haven't already read through it. Ruth's pretty canny and what she said about peace and tranquility, or the lack of it depending on your neighbours, is all too often very true.

But I'm sure all of us would aplaud your decision to move your family to a more rural environment. I wish you all the best and hope to hear more from you on here as you get further down the track.
Cheers, Mich.

PS - DiDi - really glad you had such a lovely time seeing your daughter married - how wonderful for you all.

Thanks Mich. It was just the most beautiful wedding. The last in a Church in Palmerston North deemed for demolition (earthquake risk) and then a reception in their garden on 5 acres. Hopefully I won't get into trouble for this, but look at Adrain de la Fuente photojournalism site and scroll down the right hand side and look at Gyspy Bride. That is my beautiful daughter and now the other has announced her engagement as well. Phew!