Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Couple give up Auckland for a slice of heaven in Cambridge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 September 2014

Couple give up Auckland for a new slice of heaven in Cambridge

Like many other Kiwis, the first residents of Cambridge’s premier subdivision St Kilda have given up the long commutes, higher costs of living and smaller living space for their take on the quarter acre ‘kiwi dream’.

Matt and Claire Malligan sold their house in Auckland in 2010 and made the move to Cambridge with their then one-year-old son. They purchased their section in St Kilda in June 2013 have shifted into their brand new home a month ago.

“Shifting back to the Waikato was a big thing for us at the time and we definitely took advantage of the more affordable housing available. After hearing about the St Kilda development, we decided to check it out. When we first came through for a look, it was just dirt and paddocks, but the vision for the lifestyle convinced us that living here was the right thing to do,” said Mr Malligan.

“Living here means our children can enjoy the same sort of lifestyle that we both enjoyed when we were growing up.

“In Auckland, we had a 400m section that sat right on the road front. We didn’t know our neighbours and there was no feeling of being part of a community. Now, we don’t have to worry about where our kids are playing, we know our neighbours, we’re part of a community, and this is a safe place for a family to live,” he said.

The Malligan’s have always had a connection to the Waikato with Mrs Malligan being raised in Cambridge and Mr Malligan originally from Matamata.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Our careers took us to Auckland about 15 years ago, but we had a change of heart when it became time to start a family. So we made the decision to move back to the Waikato and now we’re thrilled to be in our new home,” he said.

While Mrs Malligan works in Hamilton, a short 20-minute drive from Cambridge, Mr Malligan works from home and is enjoying the benefits of better work-life balance.

"Working from home has definite advantages. I make the most of the time I save not having to commute each day by getting out on the country roads and also using the new velodrome to fit a few bike rides in each week," said Mr Malligan.

St Kilda owner and developer Matt Smith said St Kilda’s large sections, vast array of walkways and cycle paths, and the superb outlook over the wetland areas has attracted many other buyers like the Malligan’s. Around 40 sections have sold and 12 homes are currently under construction of which several are owned by couples and families who are shifting to the Waikato.

“Of the many attractions to St Kilda, the main draw card seems to be the space and lifestyle that St Kilda offers. The large sections provide people with building options that aren’t restricted or confined by the limitations of small section boundaries,” said Mr Smith.

“People can build bigger homes and still have section space to cater for their lifestyle; space for children to play, gardens, a ‘man shed’, whatever they like!”

St Kilda, winner of the 2014 urban land developments property award, is located on the outskirts of Cambridge, less than 4km from the town centre. It combines a unique rural outlook with upscale urban facilities.

Stage 1 of the development is completed and Stage 2 is well underway. The first sections at St Kilda were sold earlier this year.

The subdivision includes 80 hectares of land with 285 sections and a 67-villa and 80-bed hospital care facility built by Bupa on site.

- ENDS -

About St Kilda:

• 80 hectares of land

• 285 sections

• a 67-villa and 80-bed hospital care facility built by Bupa

• 1600m² average section size

• 700m²maximum site coverage

• $235,000 starting sections price

• 20% of subdivision in wetlands and public reserves

• Wetlands 1 contains 32,000 native plants and shrubs

• more than 18kms of shared walkways and cycle ways

• café and deli on-site

• subdivision designed to deliver a feeling of space

• strict building covenants to protect value homeowners

• a community focussed commercial centre in the heart of the development


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.