Parnell

We seem to need to live in places that were established by political movers and shakers.  Living in Charlottesville in the shadow of Monticello was an amazing experience and will be again when our short time in Auckland is over.  It seems that we will again be living in the shadows (although not quite so literally) of a political innovator, Samuel Parnell.

Yes we found a house (Praise the Lord!).  JJ has been scouring Auckland for the last several weeks and we finally decided on a place!!  It fits all of our requirements:

My list:

• Safe 
• Within walking distance to shopping and activities
• Clean
• In our budget

JJ's list:

• In Auckland ;)

We found a cute little house with a pretty front porch, nestled far back off the road with a nice front yard for the kids to play and a gorgeous deck off the back for the adults to utilize when the children are not around (it's about 10' in the air and the AJs are notorious climbers).  Our home backs up to a wooded natural reserve (I have mixed emotions about this). Someone who was really into security lived there at one time or another as all windows and doors lock with a key and there is a hefty alarm. We went for three bedrooms instead of two which cut our living space a bit, but for our young family of five I think it will be perfect...

Now, back to Parnell:  

• Parnell is the oldest suburb in Auckland.  
• The PM lives on the next street north of us
• I have already discovered a great looking pool, the Parnell Baths
• The shopping is probably out of my league but I don't mind looking at pretty things each day
• I only hear mention of an Anglican Church so if my Catholic self ever makes it to church with all three AJs on my own again, I may have to find my way out of Parnell.  
• If you weren't interested in the long history lesson of the above link, Parnell was named after the founder of the eight hour work day movement, Samuel Parnell.  Yes, I see the irony as a Neurosurgery resident (registrar now)'s wife that we live in the neighborhood named after a man who demanded shorter work hours -- hilarious.

Do you have any Parnell knowledge?  Please share!!