Aro Valley
One of Wellington's oldest suburbs, on the edge of the city
Overview
Situated on the southwestern fringe of the city, Aro Valley hosts an eclectic mixture of young and old professionals, unemployed bohemians, and plenty of students. Fully renovated character homes stand alongside unrenovated student hovels. Everyone tends to ‘get along’, as there is a strong community spirit. The area is a short and mostly level walk into the city and a regular bus service helps on the worst days of winter.
Best Suited To
Liberal achievers, students, music, art, and culture fans. Those wanting to live close to the city in a character home but who can’t afford Mt Victoria prices.
Population Profile
Aro Valley is one of the most diverse Wellington suburbs in relation to age groups and occupations. The area is well known for its student population, due to its proximity to Victoria University. The area is also popular with liberal professionals who seek out renovated and unrenovated character homes. There are a number of older residents who have lived in the valley all their lives. Most homes have small sections, and the area is not hugely popular with young families who need more outdoor space.
Typical Homes
A typical Aro Valley home is a two-storey timber villa, built between 1880 and 1930. Many retain original features like timber floors and staircases, sash windows and high ceilings.
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Aro Valley was undesirable until the mid 1980s, when a surge in interest led to the start of a prolonged (and ongoing) period of gentrification.
The area hasn’t yet become the exclusive playground of the well-off. A number of fairly basic, unrenovated homes remain, although these are often owned by long-term landlords and rented to students.
Amenities
Aro Valley has a small shopping area situated halfway up Aro Street. This includes a small supermarket, two cafes, a bakery, and a popular video/DVD store. The shops are typically run by local people, and this adds to the independent feel and vibrancy of the area.
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Te Aro School is a primary school (years 1-8 or ages 5-12), a short walk from Aro Street. The nearest secondary school is Wellington High School, an easy 10-15 minute walk to the east.
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There are a number of interesting walks in Aro Valley. Polhill Gully contains both walking and mountain biking tracks, commencing at the top of Aro Street, rising up through the Town Belt toward Brooklyn. Central Park borders Aro Valley to the east and can be accessed from either Ohio Road or Brooklyn Road.
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Aro Park, centrally located on Aro Street, was once known as a hangout for drunks and the homeless. It has been tidied up and landscaped in recent years and is now a popular spot for locals to meet.
Real Estate Trends
Aro Valley was once considered a cheap and rather undesirable suburb. The area has grown in popularity due to the availability of character housing and handy location to the city. Two storey villas remain the most prominent and popular choice here, although there are an equally large number of small, single storey cottages.
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The popularity of the area to both owner occupiers and tenants, ensures that any property with a large section is snapped up by developers who then subdivide and build townhouses. Having said this, Aro Valley will always play second fiddle to the more popular and salubrious central city suburbs of Mt Victoria (which is sunnier), and Thorndon (which is close to Parliament).
Best Streets
Maarama Crescent is full of large character homes, elevated above the valley floor with attractive city and harbour views. Boston Street is more of a private lane than a proper street, well located a short walk to the shopping village but set back from the noise of passing traffic on Aro Street. Aro Street itself is ideal for those who enjoy being in the heart of the community. remain the most prominent and popular choice here, although there are an equally large number of small, single storey cottages.​
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House Prices
Two-bedroom unit from $450,000.
Three-bedroom house from $900,000.
Four-bedroom house from $1.1 million.
Travel Times
Central city – walking 5-10 minutes.
Airport driving 15-20 minutes.
Hutt Valley – driving 10-15 minutes.
Weather
Aro Valley is sunnier on its southern side. Be wary of any natural objects or man-made structures on the northern side of any site, as they are likely to create shade, which will be worse in winter when the sun is further north. Those homes higher up on the north facing hillsides, such as Maarama Crescent, are exposed to much more wind than those on the valley floor.