Our Flat

The first flat we moved into here was very large by NZ standards, with 2 bedrooms, a separate lounge and kitchen, an enclosed garage, and an enclosed, paved backyard about half the size of the flat. It was just 2 blocks from work, which was a big plus since we don’t have parking in our office building and there is no free (or even reasonably priced) parking in downtown Takapuna.

But the flat was very rundown, not clean, and had a lot of mildew. After a couple of months we went looking and found a place that works much better for us. It was completely remodeled two years ago and is clean and bright, with bamboo flooring and a completely modern kitchen and bath.

One downside is that it’s in a suburb. It's only a 10-15 minute drive from the office but we have to park in a nearby neighborhood and hoof a kilometer into work. Still, a morning walk is always nice.

The other downside is that the entire flat is only 480 square feet and a 4-foot wide deck. (We can’t pass one another at any spot in our bedroom, nor in the kitchenette.) However, we’re kept –most of the time—from getting claustrophobic by the fact that 3 of the walls are glass and the views are lovely. The landscaping (gardens) here are often designed to let in the light but provide privacy and that’s exactly what we have.

Our Flat in Campbell's Bay

The whole front of the house is glass, with just a pillar between the double doors and the big windows next to them.

View out the front wall of the flat in winter

View out the kitchen wall above the sink in winter

Everyone has clotheslines here--probably partly in self-defense because electricity ("electric") is so shockingly expensive. However, the climate is very damp and so far we haven't mastered the art of getting the clothes dry before it starts to rain!

South-ish view out the bedroom wall in winter (with clotheslines)

North-ish view out the bedroom window in winter