Heading off to college or university is a rite of passage for many young people, but it can bring a few challenges with it – like where to live. Luckily, for students heading to Cape Town, there are many student-friendly neighbourhoods that offer a wide selection of accommodation to suit most budgets and lifestyles. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular options.
John Birkett, the co-franchisee for the Rawson Property Group’s Claremont franchise (Steve de Villiers is the other franchisee here).
Being so close to UCT in particular has resulted in much of Rondebosch’s infrastructure being developed with student life in mind. The suburb has more student-friendly apartment blocks than any other area in Cape Town, as well as textbook, computer, printing, cellphone and grocery stores, not to mention the gyms, adventure and sports centres, restaurants, fast-food outlets, pubs and cafés.
“One bedroom and bachelor flats are definitely the most popular here,” says Birkett, “but there are also plenty of shareable two to three bedroomed apartments, and multi-bedroomed houses that operate as digs for three to eight people.”
Birkett and de Villiers point out that students looking for housing in Rondebosch tend to have fairly high standards these days, and landlords hoping to rent a “dump” to youngsters will likely be disappointed.
“We’re seeing more and more students willing to pay for high-end accommodation,” says de Villiers, “and even in digs situations people want new, fitted kitchens and en-suite or private bathrooms. Parking is also important, as is good security.”
Rentals in Rondebosch currently start at around R4800 per month for a bachelor flat, and head up to R21 000 for a high-end, three-bedroomed apartment. Rooms in digs rent from R5000 to R7000 per month.
“Buying is also a great option in Rondebosch,” says de Villiers, “and parents who buy in first year and sell at the end of fourth year can see capital gains of up to 50% on their property. That can either help pay back the money spent on school fees and accommodation, or you can add the property back into the rental pool and let it earn income while it continues to appreciate.”
Bachelor flat sales in Rondebosch average at R750 000, one-bedroomed apartments at R1.2 million, two bedrooms at R1.5 million and three bedrooms at R1.75 million. Apartments in the newer buildings are generally priced higher than the average, but the returns and rentals are exceptional.
Observatory is another excellent choice for student accommodation, not only because of its proximity to AFDA, Damelin, and UCT’s Medical School, but also for its relatively affordable range of housing options, and its vibrant atmosphere.
“Observatory’s Lower Main Road is a hub for students,” says Craig Gilfillan, the Rawson Property Group’s Observatory franchisee. “The cafés, restaurants and bars attract people from all over Cape Town, and there’s a constant buzz of social activity in the area. There is also a Spar and a Pick n Pay within walking distance, so it’s very convenient for student life.”
Packed with quaint row-houses and broekie-lace-clad cottages, Observatory lends itself mainly to commune-style house-shares and digs. “There are a few hostels like the YMCA, and a couple of backpackers,” says Gilfillan, “but those are mostly used by foreign students during short-term studies. The newer developments and apartment blocks are popular, but not as common as the typical Observatory cottage.”
The benefit of sharing a house is affordability, and a room in Observatory will cost between R3500 and R5000 depending on factors like cleaning services, furnishings and WiFi. Almost all Observatory houses lack secure off-street parking, however, and this can be a cause of concern, especially with female students. According to Gilfillan, however, Observatory is actually pretty safe, and apart from petty crime along the main social strip, residents have little to fear.
Parents looking to invest in property in Observatory for the duration of their children’s tertiary education can expect to pay R1.8 million for a basic four bedroomed house, or R1 million for a two bedroomed flat. “Sales have slowed in recent years because of the increase in prices,” admits Gilfillan, “but Observatory is still a good place to invest, and parents should see decent returns over the long term.”
Students attending colleges in Cape Town’s CBD might find Rondebosch and Observatory a bit far to commute. According to Alisdair Crofton, the Rawson Property Group’s Cape Town CBD franchisee, the best options for these students are suburbs like Zonnebloem, Woodstock, Vredehoek, and the CBD proper.
“Traffic is a big factor in town, so proximity to your campus is important,” he explains. “CPUT students find Zonnebloem and Woodstock convenient, while Michaelis students might prefer Vredehoek or Cape Town central.”
In terms of facilities, the CBD has it all, from grocery stores and shopping centres to restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, thrift stores and high-end boutiques. The area is also much closer to Cape Town’s beachfront than Southern Suburbs like Rondebosch and Observatory.
The available accommodation in the area is equally varied, with houses, flats and granny-flats all on offer. “There is no particular style,” says Crofton, “It’s a mix of everything. Apartments are generally more affordable, however, and are definitely the most popular with students.”
Apartment rentals range from around R5500 for a one bedroom to R9000 for two, while houses start at R15 000 and head rapidly north from there.
“Safety is important to students in the area, and 24hr security is a major selling point,” says Crofton. “A lot of the older houses and apartment blocks don’t offer secure parking, and flats with off-street bays are highly sought after.”
“Buying in the CBD is a great investment,” Crofton adds, “and can be a good alternative for parents of varsity-aged children. Prices for a one-bedroomed apartment with a parking bay are around R800 000. Bond repayments on that would be slightly higher than a typical student rental, but this is offset by the capital appreciation and future earning potential of the property.”
All three Rawson Property Group franchisees agree on one thing: private accommodation is definitely preferable – and often more affordable – than staying in a college residence. Students can expect more space, more privacy, and more peace and quiet to study, and won’t have to resort to fast food to escape the legendarily bad hostel fare.
For more information on rentals or sales in Cape Town’s top student suburbs, contact a Rawson Property Group franchisee in the area. They’ll be happy to discuss the pros and cons of renting vs buying, and direct you towards the best option to suit your needs.
Visit www.rawson.co.za for more information.
