Auckland’s downtown is the beating heart of the region's economy and is growing at a rapid pace.
With large-scale development happening, Our Auckland finds out what central city life is like.
Ten years ago, Caity Butcher would have given anything to live in Auckland’s central city.
Today, the 22-year-old is making up for lost time.
An infrastructure advisory consultant at Aurecon, Caity grew up on 10 acres in the rural area of Karaka, south of Auckland.
“It was a hassle,” she says of having to drive everywhere.
“Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely appreciated growing up with plenty of green space and animals around me… but how cool would it have been to grow up in the city?” she smiles.
After a year living in Auckland University’s hall of residence, Caity and her boyfriend Nick Barraclough-Scott moved into their own apartment in Lower Albert Street.
“We met in the first week of university so I ended up with a boyfriend and a flatmate.”
Caity and Nick, who is a customer success specialist for Figured, love their two-bedroom abode.
It’s low maintenance and secure.
“We have no worries and very low responsibility.”
With a robotic vacuum, the housework is done and dusted in one hour.
“We really get to enjoy life a lot more.”
The location of the pair’s apartment fits perfectly with their lifestyle which is social and spontaneous.
“Living in the city is so easy,” Caity says.
“I never have to worry about the traffic or plan my life schedule around how busy a motorway is. I can say yes to just about any work or social opportunity that comes up.
“We don’t have to plan our weekends, we can be totally spontaneous.”
Many weekends are spent at Auckland Art Gallery, going to operas, or shopping for records at markets,” Caity says.
Dining out regularly has made Caity the “go-to” person within her workplace.
“We have a phenomenal hospitality scene and some really cool bars. We know most of them and I often get asked for recommendations… I’ve even helped people plan anniversary dinners,” she laughs.
Caity says they tend to be out of the house more than their friends, but in “a good way”.
“There's always something happening in town.
Staying fit is easy for the couple who have a small gym and pool in their complex.
Caity, who owns a bike and electric scooter, also enjoys running along the waterfront and the Mission Bay route.
“My partner and I go for long walks up Parnell, or to Ponsonby every week. It's lovely.”
Living in Lower Albert Street, the couple has adapted to the construction. The only downside is noise, which she described as no more than a “hum”.
"Our building is well insulated. My brother lives in the suburbs and when we visit I always think there is more noise from lawns being moved and kids playing in the backyard."
Caity herself has worked on many of the multi-million downtown projects and says Auckland has “a lot to be proud of”.
“It’s good to see Auckland believe-in-itself. The development of the city will make it a great place to be and not just to go through. As well as making it a better place for tourists, it’ll be a better place for residents. It’s about making it a better place for people to live.
“I once overheard someone say the measure of a great city is the number of children living within it.”
Caity says she couldn’t agree more.
“I think raising children in the city makes them more resilient.”
With no plans to move anytime soon, Caity sums up living in the central city in a few words “flexibility and convenience.”
