Living Downtown Auckland!

View of Viaduct Harbour, Downtown Auckland City and Sky tower from our Balcony

Finally, after 15 moves  and 8 months since leaving our Toronto apartment (that's schlepping suitcases, boxes and life's accoutrement) in and out of friends and family's houses, we have an apartment in Auckland City. After the sale of Piccadilly Place we had two gourmet stints with friend Susie in Mission Bay then two months in a fab house in Remuera where we recouped, regrouped and revived our spirits surrounded by birdsong and glorious views of Auckland Harbour and Rangitoto Island. Sunrise to sunset the changing moods of the scene inspired and uplifted.  

With our minds set on buying a home, we had a close call in Orakei, where I fell for a garden apartment with sea views...however the body corp. didn't fancy our four pawed friend (the million dollar dog and first class traveller Montreal Mcgregor!) living in their hallowed enclave (it really wasn't that smart!!!) so we were nixed before the deal was done and had to move on mentally and physically from that idea. After trolling both for sale and rental market we became quite despondent of ever finding somewhere suitable where doggies were kosher! Friends suggested looking at the city for an apartment, (I was not at all keen, thinking I'd had enough urban grit in TO and NJ). Long story short we were ushered into a Viaduct marina pad with views across the water to the North Shore and across the city to the Sky Tower. We snapped it up on the spot.

 

Our new home at The Stratis at Lighter Quay taken from Loch at south end.

Stratis building looking north toward new Viaduct Events Centre and footbridge, neighbouring KPMG's World Cup window, Sky Tower, Details of Stratis complex, marina at front and back with a Loch at north end to allow boats to escape.

The real scoop with this whole deal is that our pad is glass from floor to ceiling, is situated right on the water at the Viaduct, has a fab views from covered balcony which has aforesaid seamless sliding glass doors for inclement weather! Along with that comes pool, spa, sauna and gym so we are in total pig heaven!! A short stroll to the end of the street we have the NEW Wynyard quarter, with fish markets, gourmet shopping and restaurants plus the spanking new drawbridge across the viaduct to downtown! Waking to the sun on the water and yachts at our door is what we hoped living in Auckland could be!

Sunrise from our balcony dining room

Interior of apartment week one looking a bit shambolic!

What more could two weary repatriating citizens need. Well...possibly jobs and we have these too. Pip is Operations Manager for Sulco Tools in Wiri, Auckland. An NZ owned company that's been around for 50 years or so.He's loving that and its getting him around the country again which could just see the return of his contributions to the this blog! I am happily ensconced in Parnell being an office walla....girl Friday...well Monday to Friday...at software co. Prism Software, just taken over by an American software co. EFI (NASDAQ listed). Though not using any creative skill sets or a single god given talent day to day I find I am extremely happy nonetheless!!

Dog and me reflected in wharf art ships funnels

 So there you have it. Its taken nearly eight months to get our feet on the ground here. We are living a very different life to the one we came home to take up, but as fate has these things, its probably what is meant to be!

 

North Wharf. Jack Tar pub and The Conservatory bar with rattan swing seats on North Wharf

Wharf art and container house

The Wynyard Quarter and North Wharf abound with restaurants and bars, its great to see Aucklanders strolling over the new foot bridge to explore the parks and dine wharf side! Indian street food at Urban Turban, cool alfresco bar The Conservatory is an instant hit and we ate en famille with my sons Matt and Nick and niece Emma at Jack Tar  last week and will no doubt get to try them all in good time. 

 

The new Wynyard Quarter at the end of our street. You just can't get away from the Sky Tower or Pohutukawa trees. Wharf art, clever Native planting and the bright red Trams bring families and tourists. Stunning Viaduct event centre with huge timber recliners invite people to picnic or lounge in sun. The new footbridge in action. My new foodie mecca the Auckland Fish Market is across the road from the wharf. NZ spiny crayfish are a delicacy and super pricey.