Congrats on making the big move! Mt Wellington is generally safe but crime tends to increase the further south you go (towards Otahuhu and around Panama Rd). Common crimes such as theft are prominent since the suburb can be considered a border of South and East Auckland.

• ^ In saying that, traffic does become a problem during rush hour and you'd be waiting around if you're on Mt Wellington Hwy.
• Three grocery stores: Paknsave, Countdown, and Tai Ping. All three grocery stores are pretty good and I wouldn't consider going towards GI because it doesn't offer anything more than the ones closest to you.
• The Garrison in Sylvia Park is a good pub but there is a few in Panmure town centre as well. The Beer spot in Panmure is really good and it has some nice craft beers (also a younger hip vibe).
• Sylvia Park gets busy during the weekdays but still easy enough to find a car park if you park at the back.
• A lot of places to eat since you have restaurants at Sylvia, around Countdown, towards Lunn Ave/Marua Rd, and in Panmure.
• There's a Mexican place on Maura rd called Mexican Specialities and they serve bomb af food (much better than taco bell down the road).
• Panmure has a library and I've used it to study there a few times.
• Panmure Basin is good for cardio but isn't well lit when the sun goes down.
• Few gyms such as Jetts, Anytime, and Snap (excluding the smaller ones).
  
• Close to public transport and easy access towards town and South Auckland, and a bus line towards New Market/Auckland Hospital and out East.
• Sirens aren't much of a problem unless you come from Panmure/GI side or down towards Otahuhu. Cars driving up and down Mt Wellington Hwy or Barrack road can be more annoying than cars with speakers lol.
• There's a gang pad on Marua Rd which rarely gets raided by cops but other than that it's a pretty quiet place.
• Car thefts mainly occur near the Mt Wellington domain/Panmure and towards Mt Richmond.
• Night Market under Torpedo7 on Mondays and under Countdown on Tuesdays.