WHERE THE LIVING IS EASY
This holiday home beside the sea north of Auckland has provided years of happy memories for its owners, writes LOUISE RICHARDSON
Long summers by the sea have been part and parcel of Craig and Viv King’s family life since 2004, when they built their holiday home at Omaha, 75km north of Auckland.
“We based it on a design that we saw in a magazine and our draughtsperson interpreted it perfectly,” says Viv.
At the time the couple had a young family and the house catered perfectly to all their needs.
“It wasn’t just our children, it was also their friends, and it wasn’t uncommon to have 10 people staying in the house, with others in tents outside,” says Craig.
The couple have also used the garage for overflow sleeping space, but it’s good for storing beach toys —and possibly a car too.
The house is 138sqm on a 470sqm site, close to a public “Living in Omaha is like living the dream, and you don’t even need to leave here for grocery shopping these days.” walkway leading down to the white sand, but it feels much larger, thanks to a 60sq m-plus deck and courtyard.
There are three bedrooms and one bathroom, all decorated in quiet colours, inspired by nature and a big bright kitchen. The dining and living area, with its gas fire, opens to the courtyard, making entertaining under the stars very easy.
During their time in residence they’ve watched as Omaha has developed, and while there are more amenities now, it still has a small-town feel about it.
Viv says that she often buys gifts at the homewares store and adds that the grocery shop is good for an icecream in summer.
There’s a nice cafe and a real estate branch too.
The local surf club is very much part of Omaha life, as is the golf club.
She and Craig have reached a crossroads in life, now that their children are grown up and they’re ready to try something new.
“We’ve had so many wonderful and very sociable years here and made lots of lovely friends.”
They say the thing they’ll miss most is the easy style of living, with everything on one level. “When the children were young, we were able to keep a good eye on them and know that they were playing safely.
“Whatever we do will still be in Omaha, because we love the place far too much to leave.”
Victoria Turner from Bayleys at Omaha says that now is a very good time to buy in the area as the new motorway extension is well underway with completion expected at the end of 2021. “It means that there is a lot of interest in property around here at the moment and the feedback I’ve been getting on Craig and Viv’s lovely house is all very positive.
“Living in Omaha is like living the dream, and you don’t even need to leave for grocery shopping these days because two of the supermarkets in Warkworth now offer home delivery out here.” Sale: Auction February 19
Contact: Victoria Turner, Bayleys, 021 795 099