Save the world: Do up old houses

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/
In 1970s when I arrived in Auckland, I lived at Grey lynn. Next to her, was Ponsonby. When the city council built the motorway, these two suburbs became slums with people living on the fringe, students and Polynesian migrants as the rental was cheap. Houses were run down, gardens were like bush.

However, in the 80s, because of the close proximity to inner city, just 2 km west of the Auckland CBD, people started buying up these old houses. It became trendy and the poor people had to move out as they couldn't afford the increase rental.

It is now a predominantly upper-middle class residential suburb. Ponsonby today is also known in Auckland for its fine dining and shopping establishments - many restaurants, cafes, art galleries, up-market shops and nightclubs are located along Ponsonby Road.

I joke with friends that I used to live in Grey Lynn and walk past Ponsonby to go to university. Then of course, I tell them it was the old Grey Lynn that I lived in.

Many of the houses are restored. Here is a row of houses which to me is so narrow that it looks like a row of match boxes. I won't live here, but then, I am not in the yuppy trendy crowd.

This is one fine example of saving the houses and not letting a suburb to turn to a ghetto. Many people also walk to work, thus saving on petrol, and causing less carbon footprint and carbon emission.

They have a very good school, St Mary's college , St Mary’s College has always had an excellent academic record and high achievement in Music and Sport. Its musical tradition goes back to the 1860’s. During the 20th Century, under the outstanding direction of the late Dame Sister Mary Leo, the school produced many singers of international fame, notably Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Mina Foley.