A wonderful country life with children safely exploring the outdoors needn't lack contemporary, urban home comforts. Escapees from city stresses and those wanting a return to a simpler, "real" Kiwi life of old will find a perfect mix of two acres of land to grow food and gain potential income and an architect designed house that fits the landscape. Neighbours are caring and friendly and the Dovedale community spirit is strong and welcoming for newcomers who've swapped city stress for country peace. The 162sqm Chris Nott-designed house is long and lean, with a raked roof line rising to a height of over five metres, giving a wonderful airiness inside and comprising a mezzanine floor second lounge. The double-height spaciousness is accentuated by artfully placed windows which bathe the home in all-day light and look out to farmland and rolling hills.
The three-bedroom house connects easily, via large decks, with the outdoors, a surrounding mini-farm of 8,334sqm, that's bounded by maturing trees. There's so much space for children to play safely and for owners to aim for self-sufficiency. There's a large commercial-style berry house yielding plentiful blueberries and also raspberries, black currant and gooseberries plus an orchard of cherries, pears, apples, peaches, nectarines, feijoas and more. Five large raised-bed vegetable gardens are ready for crops and there's plenty of water year-round for the whole property, pumped from a limitless well supply. There's space for a pony paddock or stock. You'll join a sharing community and the well-regarded, historic primary school is five minutes up the road. While country values are traditional, your home is totally contemporary with a striking exterior of Lawson Cypress, silvering beautifully in this valley of sunshine. Inside, the floors are polished concrete, contrasting with white alabaster walls, there's a new, bespoke designer kitchen with a 900mm F&P induction cooktop and oven.