Key Takeaways
- Properties under $500,000 can still be found in coastal areas, often in isolated or non-traditional bach locations.
- Valocity identified 62 suburbs where over 50% of homes are valued under $500,000, with Westport and Waitara having the most affordable options.
- Auckland’s Rakino Island has 31% of homes under $500,000, but it’s a challenging commute.
- Other affordable beach towns include Foxton Beach, Wakanui, Birdlings Flat, Carters Beach, and Tinopai.
- These areas offer a range of properties, from traditional baches to modern homes, and often have a strong sense of community.
Introduction to Affordable Beach Towns
Dotted around New Zealand are beachy locations where properties can still sell for under half a million dollars. At these prices, you may be able to pick up something a bit quirky or a bit isolated. The property might not be in a traditional bach town, but could be in a little settlement where a substantial number of properties have an estimated value of up to $500,000. Valocity, OneRoof’s data partner, crunched the numbers and found 361 suburbs with 50 or more residential properties within 800m of the coast. Of the 361 suburbs analysed, Valocity identified 62 where more than 50% of the homes had an estimated value less than $500,000.
Westport and Waitara: Affordable Beach Towns
Westport, in Buller, and Waitara, in Taranaki, were the best bets on sheer numbers, with both locations boasting more than 1000 affordable homes. Finding a beach home for less than $500,000 in Auckland was difficult, although not impossible. The research found five beach suburbs in Auckland where 10% or more of the homes had a value of less than $500,000. However, the one with the most was an island – Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf had 31% of its stock valued at less than $500,000, but as Valocity senior research analyst Wayne Shum said, the island is a hell of a commute.
Other Affordable Beach Towns
Other affordable beach towns include Foxton Beach, Wakanui, Birdlings Flat, Carters Beach, and Tinopai. Foxton Beach in Manawatu-Whanganui has nearly 40% of its housing stock estimated at $500,000 or less, or nearly 600 properties. The beach area, which is just out of Foxton township, is a mix of permanent residents and baches. Birdlings Flat in Banks Peninsula has 85% of properties valued under $500,000, with not much for sale, but the little settlement does get tourists. Carters Beach is a seaside town with local tourism, a holiday camp, and a cycleway. Tinopai is a picturesque little fishing village with 25% of homes estimated to be valued under $500,000.
Challenges and Opportunities
While these areas offer affordable options for beach lovers, they also come with challenges. Some of the old baches would never pass today’s building code, and the commute to some areas can be difficult. However, these areas also offer a range of opportunities, from traditional baches to modern homes, and often have a strong sense of community. As Valocity senior research analyst Wayne Shum said, "These days baches are not really baches; they are four-bedroom houses that you would easily find in a regular suburb except that it’s next to the ocean – plumbing, Wi-Fi, broadband, possibly mains water even."
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the traditional Kiwi bach may be a thing of the past, there are still many affordable beach towns around New Zealand where you can find a property for under $500,000. From Westport to Tinopai, these areas offer a range of options for those looking for a beach lifestyle without breaking the bank. With a little patience and flexibility, you can find your perfect beach getaway in one of these hidden gems.
