The hilltop view is incredible, as are the people you meet in Aro Valley / Polhill Reserve. Cath is a fabulous host to communicate with. She's super organised and welcoming. Her neighbours are lovely. If you want to live like a local, this place has everything a good neighbourhood needs: good community and good environment. Check out Polhill Reserve and cherish the native birds that locals/Zealandia have brought back through a lot of hard work.
If you're able to use your legs, don't whine about the 100-150 stairs up to the house. Feel lucky that you get to use your body in our modern sedentary lives. This location is great for people who love nature. Polhill Reserve is lush and rejuvinating - walk/run/bike heaven!
If you walk everyday in Wellington, by around day 3, the hills feel like flat ground. It's the ideal place to live car free. If you absolutely need, use the bus or local 'Green Cabs'. It'll save you paying a shocking $2+ per litre for petrol in a rental vehicle!
I'd definitely stay again :) Thanks Cath for letting us stay in your home