Wadestown
Large family homes on city's northern edge
Overview
Sought after for its green backdrop onto the Town Belt and collection of grand stately homes, Wadestown is a popular choice for high achievers who need the space and privacy of a larger family home, but don’t want to be too far from the city. Traditional and safe with grand houses tucked up long driveways, the suburb is perhaps the closest Wellington gets to an upmarket, leafy suburb in London, albeit with a few more hills!
Best Suited To
Executive families, upwardly mobile couples who prefer privacy, politicians.
Population Profile
Sometimes referred to as Wellington’s ‘old-money-area’, Wadestown is Wellington’s most central, family orientated suburb. However, families here tend to contain primary and secondary age children, rather than babies and pre-schoolers. We suspect that this is due to the high cost of the housing, an aspect that would drive most young families further out to Karori or Island Bay.
The largest age group in Wadestown are the 40 to 54 year olds. These are well established families, working in the city and wanting to remain close to the centre but wanting more land/garden/privacy than Thorndon or Mt Victoria could provide.
Wadestown is predominately European – 88% in comparison to the Wellington average of 73%. Locals are well educated with 55% having bachelor or higher university degrees. The most common areas of study are the arts and commerce. A number also work in public administration, most likely linked to nearby Parliament in Thorndon.
Households are high income with almost 60% earning over $100,000 a year. A larger than average number of homes are owned outright (without mortgages), again reflecting the fact that Wadestown is an older demographic who have built up considerable reserves of equity over time.
Typical Homes
Wadestown is one of Wellington’s older suburbs, although it was not until the 1920’s that the area really began to take off. It was during this period a number of the large, stately homes were built that Wadestown is well known for. These include ornate villas, large Arts and Crafts style homes, and timber or brick Georgian residences. Many of these have kept their well proportioned sites and some even enjoy an outlook over Wellington Harbour.
More modest dwellings fill the gaps. Smaller villas and bungalows are keenly sought after and many have been extended and renovated to high standards. The 1960’s and 70’s saw further development as any remaining sites were snapped up. Homes of this era still tend to be quite large, reflecting the level of wealth in the area.
Amenities
Wadestown contains two small shopping areas. The main area is set on Wadestown Road, just west of Pitt Street. This group of shops includes a convenience store, various takeaways, cafe and medical practice. A second, smaller group of shops are located on the corner of Wadestown Road and Sefton Street.
Wadestown School provides for primary children, years one to eight with a role of about 350. Eastern parts of the suburb also fall within the enrolment zone for Thorndon School. Most secondary students attend high school in the central city.
The Northern walkway (an interesting four to five hour hike from Johnsonville to Thorndon) passes through a number of steep Wadestown streets, rising to Te Ahumairangi, in Wellington’s Town Belt. Te Ahumairangi is a large area of woodland and bush with plenty of walking and mountain biking track. Parts of the woodland enjoy great views over the city and harbour. Trelissick Park is set on the northern border with Ngaio and also forms part of the Northern Walkway. This leafy valley can be reached from the lower portion of Hanover Street.
Real Estate Trends
Well-presented but small three bedroom villas and bungalows on smaller sites will start at about the $900,000 mark. Once you get into larger homes, $1 million to $1.6 million is where you’ll need to be pitching your offer. Grand homes on generous sites start at about $1.8 million but it’s likely that $2 million will give you a far greater choice. The best homes in Wadestown, often with harbour and city views, will attract prices of $2 million to $4 million.
Best Streets
The grandest and most expensive houses are set around central Sefton Street and Lower Watt Street.
House Prices
Two bedroom cottage, character, possible walk-on access, from $900,000.
Partly renovated, three bedroom, good access and garage, from $1.2 million.
Fully renovated home, character, garage, landscaped site, from $1.6 million
Travel Times
Central city – driving 5 minutes off-peak, 15 minutes peak.
Airport – driving 15 minutes non-peak.
Hutt Valley – driving 10 minutes non-peak.
Weather
The weather in Wadestown will depend on what side of the hill you’re on and what way you’re facing. The city (southern) side of the hill is sheltered from northerlies but does suffer in a southerly storm. Over the peak of Wadestown Road most homes face north and west. While these homes generally receive better sunlight, they are exposed to the prevailing north wind.