Cape Town is often considered the jewel of South Africa, with its mountains, oceans, beaches and winelands forming a spectacular backdrop to everyday life. Deciding where in Cape Town to settle down, however, can be a challenge, with numerous suburbs sprawling inland and around the peninsula, all offering their own, unique take on Capetonian life.
If you ask a local about schools in Cape Town, the Southern Suburbs tends to be the first region to come up. While Rondebosch, Claremont and Wynberg are all popular options in the area, Lindsay Dwyer, sales agent for Rawson Property Group’s Kirstenbosch Franchise, says Newlands would be her top choice.
“Newlands is ideal for families with children,” she says, “because it’s not only close to some of Cape Town’s best schools, it’s also extremely central, and has easy access to the M3 for parents who need to get to work.”
Newlands lies on the inland slopes of Table Mountain, and is known for higher than average rainfall, which keeps the suburb green all year round. Hikers will enjoy Newlands forest, while casual walkers can stroll through the numerous parks, riverside walkways and small greenbelts.
“There’s a great community vibe in Newlands,” says Lindsay, “and even the domestics in the area tend to get together for walks with the kids and dogs. The average age of residents is between 25 and 47, so it’s very much a family suburb. It’s also very self-sufficient, with a lot of restaurants, cafés and shops, not to mention Newlands Rugby and Cricket grounds.”
As for schools, you’ll find SACS, Westerford, Grove, San Souci, and Kildare Pre-primary in Newlands proper, while Bishops, Rondebosch, Rustenburg and Herschel are all within easy reach.
Newlands properties vary quite extensively, from Newlands Village’s lock-up-and-go type homes, to Fernwood and Hiddingh’s more spacious options built on stands of 700m2 and up.
The average sales price in Newlands has risen from R4.5 million in 2013 to R5.2 million in 2014. More affordable homes can be found along Paradise Road, with pricier options in the sought after Fernwood and Hiddingh areas. “It is a seller’s market at the moment,” admits Lindsay, “and buyers competing with each other are pushing prices up. Properties are moving quickly, but anything over R10 million takes a bit longer than most.”
Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs also offer a range of great areas, and Louis Schoeman, Rawson Property Group Franchisee for Durbanville, is quick to recommend his neighbourhood as family-central.
“About 90% of our residents are families,” he reveals, “and a lot of people live all their lives in Durbanville, growing up here, working here, raising their own families here, and retiring here as well.”
When asked what aspects of Durbanville appeal most to families, Schoeman notes the great weather, the proximity to well-established wine farms and other outdoor attractions, the typically large gardens, and the fact that everything you could possibly need can be found in Durbanville.
“We have a fast-growing CBD where a lot of people like to work, Tygervalley shopping centre, all the big trade stores, excellent medical facilities, lots of guesthouses, function centres, and, of course, very good schools.” Those schools include Durbanville Pre-Primary, Primary and High, Fairmont High, Gene Louw Primary, Curro Durbanville, Kenridge, Stellenberg and Eversdal Primary.
Property prices in Durbanville vary from an average of R2 – 2.5 million in Goedemoed to R5 – 6 million in the more expensive Vygeboom and surrounds. More affordable townhouses and flats can be found scattered throughout the suburb, however, with plenty of options available in the central areas.
“We’re quite unique in that there isn’t really a ceiling for prices here,” Schoeman points out, “so you can renovate without having to worry too much about over-capitalising.” Renovation is common, and the current trend seems to be purchasing old-style, larger properties and redeveloping them to match modern design standards.
Both sales and rental markets are booming, with an appropriately priced home generally selling within 2 weeks. “We are lucky that we do have stock,” Schoeman notes, “but it moves very fast.” Returns in the area are also excellent, and homeowners can see 7-8% capital growth per annum, with an additional 7 – 8% return possible should you choose to rent your property out.
If Durbanville and Cape Town central are a little too bustling and busy for your tastes, Paarl offers families a small-town lifestyle, with Cape Town’s amenities a mere 45 minute drive away.
“Paarl is very special in that there are still vineyards in the middle of town,” says Rawson Property Group Franchisee for Paarl, Lizette Joubert. “We see a lot of families with stay-at-home mothers choosing to live here, because the fathers don’t mind driving a little further to work if they can have that country holiday feeling at home.”
“The schools are also a huge attraction,” she continues, admitting that she frequently has clients enrol their children in neighbourhood schools before they even purchase a property. Well-known schools include Paarl Girls’ Primary and High, Paarl Boys’ Primary and High, La Rochelle, Paulus Joubert and Paarl Gimnasium. Bridge House is also just a short drive away.
You’ll find several types of properties in Paarl, including new developments, luxury estates, old Cape Dutch style properties with heritage status, and townhouses and apartments that are popular with both young and old. “We have a good mixture of residents,” says Lizette, “with buyers generally between 30 and 50 years of age. We see a lot of first-time buyers and families with children.”
The comparatively reasonable property prices may play a large role in attracting young buyers to Paarl, with a 3-bedroom home costing between R1.1 – R1.45 million, depending on its location and how recently it was built.
“The old heritage houses are more expensive, because they are quite rare and sought-after,” Lizette reveals, adding that houses on newer estates also come at a slight premium. “But anything over R4.5miilion tends to stay on the market a while.”
“Property in Paarl is a good investment,” Lizette continues. “We have a very stable market here, and our properties retained their value even over the 2007-2008 slump.”
Whether you’re looking for the country-chic lifestyle of Paarl, or the central convenience of Cape Town’s nearer suburbs, there are plenty of neighbourhood options that will help you balance school life, work life, and a happy home.
For more information on the suburb of your choice, contact the Rawson Property Group franchisee in the area. We’re always happy to chat about the pros and cons of the neighbourhoods we love.
For further information please visit the Rawson Property Group’s website at www.rawson.co.za.
