Greer values living sustainably, sharing an apartment in Grey Lynn with her flatmate—a choice that fits her lifestyle, budget, and values.
“The reason we chose an apartment is because a house wouldn’t really be affordable. You often need to share costs with a lot of other people,” she explains.
“It’s really nice just living with the two of us and the dog, and with an apartment, we can have our own place and still have enough space.”
Watch Greer’s story to discover how greater housing choices offer her affordable, connected, and sustainable lifestyle with easy commutes on her trusty e-bike.
Greer's housing choices have enabled her to make the most of urban living—continue reading to see how she's balancing convenience with a commitment to sustainability.
Convenience at Her Doorstep
For Greer, living in an apartment means being centrally located and close to everything she needs—making her daily routine easier and more enjoyable.
“I have an e-bike that I use most of the time to get around and to work, which I love because I get a little exercise and fresh air, and I arrive at work feeling fresh.”
“Being able to ride to the train station, take my bike on the train if I want to go West or South for work meetings is a really great option,” she shares.
Greer often commutes by e-bike. Diverse housing choices makes it easier and more convenient for Aucklanders to choose sustainable transport and lifestyle options.
With everything nearby, Greer finds herself only using her car about once a week—a big difference from many other homes in Auckland where “you have to live further out, which means you have to use your car all the time.”
Living close to local shops means she can “walk down to pick up little bits of groceries when we need them,” and living near a local park lets her get outside for a lunch break with her dog.
Embracing Sustainable Living
This lifestyle also reflects Greer’s commitment to sustainability.
“I’m really conscious of how my choices impact the planet,” she says.
“One of the ‘hacks’ for living more sustainably is having less house—you use less energy, and we don’t use almost any heating, even in winter.”
Greer finds this living situation lets her reduce her carbon footprint while enjoying Auckland’s outdoor spaces.
“It’s great being closer to nature and all the beaches in Auckland,” she adds.
Proximity to a local park supports Greer's sustainable lifestyle, offering a chance to enjoy outdoors and recharge in nature.
Feeling Safe and Connected
The community aspect of apartment living has also been valuable for Greer, especially as a single woman.
“Safety was a big consideration. I feel much safer in an apartment, having other people around,” she explains.
“Even if you don’t know them well, it’s nice to know there’s someone nearby keeping an eye on things.”
Additionally, her apartment’s proximity to her parents has been an unexpected bonus.
“They live just across the park, so it’s great. We can meet up for walks and dinners, or I can pop over if I need to borrow something.”
Securing a Housing Future
Looking forward, Greer has decided to take the next step and buy an apartment off the plans.
“My main consideration was really what I could afford. Most things in my price range were really far out of the city,” she says.
“I love living in this area and was hoping to stay close.”
By choosing an apartment, Greer has found a place that meets her budget, her values, and her goals for the future.
“I have the option to live my values in a way that suits me—it’s been an amazing choice.”
Apartments and townhouses near town centres and everyday amenities helps to improve affordability and provide options for different income levels.
Affordable, Active, and Connected Living
As Auckland grows, the council is enabling new homes and a greater variety of housing choices—like apartments and townhouses—in areas with easy access to transport and everyday amenities, giving people more time to do what they enjoy and less time commuting.
Having these housing choices in accessible areas will help make homes more affordable over time, cater to diverse needs, and allow Aucklanders to live closer to work, public transport, and green spaces.
This approach supports Aucklanders like Greer in reducing their reliance on cars, with more opportunities to walk, cycle, or use public transport and enjoy a balanced, sustainable lifestyle.
Greer’s choice shows how Auckland Council’s plans for Tāmaki Makaurau make it easier for Aucklanders to choose a sustainable lifestyle, stay active, and become part of close-knit communities.
In her words, “I'm really just loving being able to live so centrally.”
Altogether Auckland: Tāmaki Turuki
Inspired by Greer's story? Together, we can make Tāmaki Makaurau even better. Discover Auckland Council’s future-focused plan and learn how we’re transforming our city—visit OurAuckland.
