Northland
A variety of housing styles and a short commute to Wellington City
Overview
Situated close to Wellington but feeling like you are well away from the bustle of the city, Northland is a popular choice among families who enjoy the privacy of generous sections, a shortish commute, and houses prices that are generally more affordable than Thorndon and Mt Victoria. The area is also home to an above average number of tertiary students who find it cheaper to live here than in nearby Kelburn but find it still handy enough to walk to the Victoria University campus. The young workforce are also often drawn here for proximity to city life and the good base of rental properties.
Best Suited To
Families wanting a community feel close to the central city. Victoria University students.
Population Profile
Northland appeals for its proximity to the downtown area of Wellington. As it’s all downhill, you can walk to Lambton Quay in about 20 minutes. But you’ll need some stamina to walk uphill home!
Locals are well educated with a large number having bachelor or higher degrees. Indeed it is the proximity to Victoria University’s Kelburn campus that makes Northland especially appealing. A significant number of students walk to the campus each day.
Northland seems to have a happy balance of almost all age groups, although numbers are higher than average for 18-34 year olds; a mixture of university students and the young workforce. There is a balance between home ownership and renting here, adding variety and interest to the neighbourhood. Having said this it’s not a particularly ethnically diverse neighbourhood, a whopping 87% being from a European background.
Typical Homes
Northland has a good variety of housing styles. The area was developed from the early 1900s so you’ll find a number of character villas, particularly close to the main shopping area. Bungalows are perhaps the most common dwelling style as most growth occurred from the 1920s.
State housing was developed in the 1940s, mostly around Kaihuia Street. Many of these are now in private ownership. The northern hillsides (the upper portions of Orangi Kaupapa Road) were not developed until the 1970s, so this part of Northland has a distinctively different feeling to it. Homes in this area are often larger (but still cheaper) than those closer to the shopping area.
Amenities
The Northland shopping village is a single strip of about six shops that are almost exclusively takeaway outlets. It’s incredible that in such a small area you can have two hamburger chains, two pizza chains, and a fish and chip shop. Other shops have come and gone here over the years so it must be a tough place for a retailer to survive. Delhi 7 is an Indian restaurant that has taken the place of at least two former cafes, on the same site.
Northland School, on Harbour View Road, is the local primary school with a role of about 320 students catering for years one through to year eight. Cardinal McKeefry School is the local Catholic primary school, with a roll of approximately 100 students.
Northland is situated along a ridgeline that forms part of the Wellington Town Belt. Being so close to this wonderful outdoor resource there is easy access to a number of walking trails and mountain bike tracks. Some tracks offer stunning views over the central city and harbour. There are community parks and playing fields offered on Sea View Terrace and Creswick Terrace. Northland has a community centre on Woburn Road, where you’ll find locals involved in scouts, exercise classes, tutoring, dancing and martial arts.
Real Estate Trends
Northland house values vary considerably and depend to a significant degree on where you are in the suburb. The most affordable options close to the shopping village are within the ex-state housing area, around Kaihuia Street. These tend to be small homes that often need upgrading.
Other affordable options exist in the northern hills, such as Bedford Street and Pembroke Road. These houses were built in the 1960s and 1970s and thus lack character appeal. The closer you get to the shopping village, the more expensive housing gets. Farm Road and Creswick Terrace are favoured locations.
Anything that has city and harbour views will also be expensive. Large character homes on Sea View Terrace and Harbour View Road can easily achieve $1.5 million plus. Having said this, demand for million dollar homes here is not as strong as that which exists in nearby Kelburn.
Best Streets
For those who want to be close to the shopping village and in a character home, Farm Road and Creswick Terrace are the best options. Putnam Street and Harbour View Road also contain older character homes, but with the added benefit of harbour views. Large 1970s homes with spectacular harbour and city views can be found in Puketiro Avenue
House Prices
Basic two bedroom cottage, sometimes semi-detached, needing renovation, from $650,000.
Cheaper three bedroom home, 1960’s, partly renovated, from $800,000.
Character home, three bedrooms, close to the village, from $1 million.
Large, four bedroom home, modern fixtures, close to village, from $1.5 million
Travel Times
Central city – driving, 5 minutes non-peak, up to 15 minutes peak.
Airport – driving, 20 minutes non-peak.
Hutt Valley – driving, 15 minutes non-peak.
Weather
Elevated above the city, Northland gets great sun, but particularly to the mid and southern parts of the suburb. The northern hillsides, facing south and southwest toward Karori, can be shaded during winter months.