Have I told you lately how much I love living in Auckland? And it’s not just because I kinda ‘found myself’ here or because I’ve made friends here or the fact that I love my apartment.
I didn’t like Auckland when I first arrived. I didn’t even want to. But I’ve grown to love so much about this city that I hadn’t noticed before. So now, after 7 months of living here (7 months! Where does the time go?!) I bring you….
7 things to love about living in Auckland
1. The sunsets
I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere where the sunsets have been so pink and vibrant. I mean, the sunsets in St Kilda were stunning and I love a beach sunset as much as the next person but Auckland has made me see that a city sunset can be just as beautiful.
2. The street art
Federal Street
Elliot Street
You think of awesome street art this side of the world you think…..Melbourne. Yes, Melbourne has awesome street art. Did I mention how much I love Melbourne too? Anyway, Auckland also has awesome street art and it’s literally everywhere; from graffiti and sculptures to quirky street art and paintings.
3. Cheap, amazing food
Obviously when I say ‘cheap’ I mean cheap for this side of the world. New Zealand and Australia are not places to travel if you begrudge paying more than $1 for a meal. If you’re not adverse to paying $10 – $15 for a meal though you’re definitely in luck.
Auckland’s full of little Japanese restaurants where you’ll get a huge bowl of noodles for $11 or foodcourts where I got the best Pad Kee Mao I’ve had in my life for $14. Food in Auckland is cheap and, most importantly, amazing.
4. You can pay for anything on your eftpos card
Because I’m working in New Zealand as well as travelling I opened a bank account when I got here. At first I wasn’t impressed that, unlike a visa debit card, an eftpos can only be used in shops and not online. What’s the point in that?! I’ve since gotten a visa debit card but still use my eftpos card for most purchases.
Why? Because you can literally buy anything with it. There’s none of this ‘minimum spend’ malarky with an eftpos card which makes life much much easier.
5. My favourite Lorne St cafe
There’s something really satisfying about finding a cafe which not only does a great breakfast but also a fantastic cup of coffee. I’ve been trying to give up coffee (for reasons I’m still not entirely sure of….) but I’m putting that resolution on the backburner until I find some other (legal) stimulant that’s going to stop me falling asleep at my desk.
Sierra Cafe on Lorne St isn’t just my favourite cafe because of the caffeine and food though. I love sitting outside and people-watching, or reading the newspaper or studying for my TEFL course. I love coming here on a Sunday morning.
6. The easy day trips
I’ve taken some awesome weekend trips since I’ve been in New Zealand; Wellington, Taupo and Rotorua to name a few, but day trips are so easy from Auckland too.
Both Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island give stunning views of the city and are accessible by ferry from Auckland city. Piha beach (as seen on Piha Rescue – a bit like Bondi Rescue but…….not) is a half hour drive from the city and definitely worth hiring a car for and Mission Bay is perfect for sunday afternoon barbecues in the sun.
7. The architecture
I don’t know a lot about architecture, let’s be honest here, but I do know an awesome building when I see one which in Auckland is a lot of the time. Old buildings are my thing (see what I mean? “Old buildings” – I know nothing) and there are plenty of those in the city.
Britomart, where you’ll find the city’s main train station, dominates the bottom of Queen St. The Civic Theatre wouldn’t look out of place on the west-end – its old-fashioned design stands tall on the corner of Wellesley St and Queen.
The Smith and Caughey building – or more precisely, the back of the Smith and Caughey building on Elliot St reminds me of the apartment block in friends and even though Auckland Town Hall is made of limestone it doesn’t look out of place in the modern Aotea Square.
If you’ve been to Auckland, what do you love about it?
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that looks amazing!!!! i really really really want to visit NZ at some point!!!! Your tavel diaries have just pretty much decided that for me, they’re amazing too! lol
best of luck with your TEFL course hun I’m sure you’ll be brilliant at it! 
xoxoxo
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Nice post, I kind of forgot how fun Auckland was when I visited NZ. I enjoyed some of the architecture as well, nothing out of this world, but interesting. As a beer drinker, my favourite place in Auckland was Brew on Quay….loved it there!
Red Hunt recently posted..Sergey’s House – Art and Intrigue in Far East Russia
i loved this post
actually, i read all your posts about NZ, since i’m going to live there for a year with a working holiday visa. i’ll be arriving in auckland, but haven’t decided if that’s where i want to live on the long run… i’m pretty much torn between auckland and wellington. but i LOVED to read great reasons why auckland is an amazing city 
amazing amazing blog, keep it up!
B., I want to go back to New Zealand very very badly. Auckland, of course, is on a revisit list: I love me some AKL, and I want it now!
fotoeins | Henry recently posted..The H.L. Manifesto, 2012
I’ve only been here 7 days, rather than 7 months, but immediately I got a great vibe from Auckland. It was backed up by great food (agree about the Japanese!–and have you been to Moustache Milk and Cookie bar?!). I also love that it feels like a cosmopolitan city but is laid back and friendly to enjoy with the stress that some large cities can induce. And this coming from a big city lover!
Glad you’re finally enjoying Auckland, and hope I can too.
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Without the stress! Auckland is so friendly and fun (must remember to edit before I press send:)
Great post! Auckland sounds like an amazing city to live in! You totally had me at coffee and street art
I really should go check flight connections now…
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I so agree with you about the sunsets! I lived in a slightly over priced flat, but it faced west, so I got to watch all the amazing sunsets every day! Highlight of the day, they were all different. I took pictures of some of them and created a wall of sunsets in my apartment when I got home.
I totally agree with you regarding the EFTPOS and day trips too. Loved it all! Miss it tons.
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Loving the street art – gotta love a city which embraces that
will have to grab a coffee a your favourite haunt when I’m over there next month 
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