Why South Auckland is the best 'hood to rent in in Auckland

South Auckland doesn't get enough good light in the media and so I wanted to make this topic my first blog post. I have loved growing up here and want to share five reasons as to why it is the "best 'hood in Auckland"

1. The food. The amount of readily available Pacifica/Maori soul food here in South Auckland is amazing. Whether you need the comfort food of Tarnz Kitchen, kaimoana from Tobys, or have a sweet tooth and need your Fale De Keke fix, it's all here. Also, the bakery food here is divine and no where else in Auckland will you get a good and fresh bacon and egg, cheese pie for $3.

2. The gas. Tell me why Otara has some of the cheapest gas prices out? Despite the rise in gas prices over the years, Otara gas stations are holding me down at the moment; and that new NPD!? Thank God.

3. Renting. South Auckland have some of the lowest Auckland rental prices. Depending on where you are renting, you can get a large 3 bedroom home, with a sizeable front and back yard (yes, there are still front and back yards here) for less rent per week than anywhere else in Auckland. I think it's because some areas are considered "less desirable". But, that's what I mean. It's "less desirable" because people just don't know how great South Auckland is.

4. It is so safe. Some people would laugh at this point but here we go again with misconceptions about South Auckland, as a whole. I guess it depends on where you're looking, but some families in South Auckland have stayed in the same home for almost 50 years. A lot of Pacifica families were forced to move to this area in the 1970s/1980s and have been here ever since. That means that a lot of families on our streets all know each other, look out for each other, and you get a real "family feel" here. I'm not going to mention how many times I have forgotten to lock my house door or even close my door while being out all day.

5. You don't have to look perfect to leave your house. I never feel the pressure to look my best when going to the dairy or gas station or takeaways. Nothing beats a lava lava, or a robe with slides or slippers, and my dairy shop owners are never phased by any of it. This has to be one of my favourite parts about living in South Auckland.