James Goodchap

I bought in Hastings 11 years as it was very affordable with excellent prospects for capital growth - I was not disappointed.

Sure I bought in the lower socioeconomic area (West Park) and it was a little rough back then but now it’s quiet and mostly privately owned.

I did my research and knew the street I was buying in was to become a through road into a new 300 house development where the average block size was 350m (mine is just under 800m).

It’s let me have mortgage payments lower than any comparable rent while building equity to the point last year at the bottom of the market cycle, I was able to purchase another house to rent out with views to moving to in Church Street in the heart of town.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Mount Martha where I sold up from after a separation but I’ve never been robbed here - I was twice in 2 years in Mount Martha.

Affordable, great facilities including 2 nearby private schools it leaves enough in the budget to invest and enjoy life by the sea.