Top 20 Auckland growth suburbs

Six North Shore suburbs are among Auckland’s highest growth areas, according to a leading real estate agency’s new list of SuperCity “hot spots”.

Monday, September 14th 2015, 12:52PM

by Miriam Bell

The Barfoot & Thompson list features the 20 Auckland suburbs which the agency’s data shows experienced the greatest percentage value growth between February and July this year, as compared to the same period in 2014.

North Shore beach suburb Milford scored the number one spot with 46.3% value growth, which is nearly twice the Auckland-wide average of 24.0%.

Five other North Shore suburbs also feature on the list. They are Sunnynook (39.4%), Northcote (37.7%), Forrest Hill (36.9%), Mairangi Bay (36.0%) and Beach Haven (31.5%).

The established suburb of Epsom came in at number two on the list with 42.9% growth, while the up-and-coming suburb of Sandringham earned the number three spot with 41.2% growth.

Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said that, while West and South Auckland were thought to be showing the best growth recently, this list shows the strongest growth has actually been on the Shore and City Fringe.

“More exclusively-priced suburbs like Milford and Epsom are likely holding their ground in the top spots thanks to a perfect mix of location, good transport links, sought-after school zones, quality infrastructure and lifestyle aspects.”

However, Thompson said a range of different locations and price brackets – including Sandringham, Te Atatu Peninsula (38.4%) and Glen Eden (31.2%) - have been enjoying value growth above and beyond the norm for many different reasons.

“These locations, while all quite different, share some key characteristics,” he said.

“They sit on the city’s edge or just beyond with good access to main transport routes, are home to flourishing ‘village’ centres and have been well-positioned for growth as some of the more affordable suburbs in Auckland.”

While all of the top 10 suburbs boast median prices of $856,500 or more, the list does feature suburbs from a range of price brackets.

Thompson said there was less than a percentage point separating many on the list, which means there is opportunity for property owners to still enjoy good growth in lower price brackets.

“For example, Manurewa offered a 33.8% increase over the period with a median under $500,000, while Te Atatu South, Papatoetoe and Glen Eden provided similar potential with medians under $705,000.”

It is unlikely that all of the list’s 20 “hot spots” will continue to experience such strong growth in future,

But Thompson said the list highlights the continued popularity of suburbs which have good transport links, sought-after school zones, quality infrastructure and lifestyle aspects.

Barfoot & Thompson's top 20 growth suburbs were:

1. Milford (46.3%)
2. Epsom (42.9%)
3. Sandringham (41.2%)
4. Sunnynook (39.4%)
5. Te Atatu Peninsula (38.4%)
6. Northcote ((37.7%)
7. Forrest Hill (36.9%)
8. Halfmoon Bay (36.7%)
9. Mairangi Bay (36.0%)
10. Mt Albert (35.6%)
11. Te Atatu South (34.7%)
12. Meadowbank (34.1%)
13. Manurewa (33.8%)
14. Hillsborough (33.1%)
15. Titirangi (32.7%)
16. Blockhouse Bay (31.8%)
17. Beach Haven (31.5%)
18. Papatoetoe (31.3%)
19. Glen Eden (31.2%)
20. Glendowie (30.4%)