When investigating areas to move to, you should weigh up the pros and cons of the area and list all of the benefits that come with the area.
This five bedroom, three bathroom house in Hout Bay has spacious bedrooms, large entertainment areas and views of the mountains. There is also a separate cottage on the property, as well as a garden and swimming pool. It is on the market for R4.495 million - click here to view.
This is according to Rodney Boast, a Knight Frank Anne Porter agent working in the Hout Bay area.
Surrounded by the Table Mountain National Park, Hout Bay has a small village “touch and feel” about it and many families have lived there most of their lives or moved away and come back to stay as adults. The sense of community is strong as well as the longstanding friendships formed between business people and their patrons, Boast says.
Most families don't have to leave the area or go far to enjoy the outdoor activities available as there are walking trails on the surrounding mountains, beaches to launch small sail boats, and swim or sunbathe - Hout Bay and Llandudno have world class beaches.
There are many gyms, yoga or wellness centres and for those who enjoy a more relaxed environment, a glut of restaurants, coffees shops, bistros, the harbour market and boulevardier opportunities abound, he says.
Boast says there are excellent schools such as the new Montessori Eco-School and Disa Primary, the new premises for the International School and various other schools allow parents to choose from a wide selection of educational facilities so their children do not have to travel to the Southern Suburbs every day.
This three bedroom, two bathroom house set on two acres of land offers farm-style living with river frontage and stables. It has open plan living spaces, large bedrooms and a separate cottage on the property. It is on the market for R4.6 million - click here to view.
There have been challenges for those living here too, he says. The travelling costs to other major business centres can be high, and the only routes in and out of the village are windy, zig zag roads up and over or around mountains. Public transport is available but can be costly and because the roads are single lanes in and out, there can be traffic congestion. However, the Myciti bus service will soon run from Hout Bay to Cape Town, which should alleviate this.
Crime is often mentioned but the community driven neighbourhood watch is well attended and has, to a large extent, helped reduce the number of incidents in the area.
Boast says the reason people decide to stay on or return at a later stage is because they want the "village touch and feel of the area", where people can be seen walking to and from the shops or restaurants, even at night.
Housing is available across the entire property spectrum, from sectional title apartments from R700 000 to homes on large freestanding plots or in security estates up to R45 million.
On the market there is a neat, one bedroom, one bathroom north facing garden apartment priced at R725 000, athree bedroom, two bathroom home with a study and staff accommodation in Kenrock Security Estate, priced at R4.695 million and a three bedroom, three bathroom home with three reception rooms and two garages overlooking the beach and harbour, also in a secure estate. This home is priced at R9.95 million.
There is also a large variety of homes to rent, from holiday apartments to long leased family homes, in a variety of settings to suit every person’s needs.
Hout Bay has much to offer those who visit or live here. Boast says if you ask any resident here whether they would choose another area to live in, they would pause before answering. "There aren’t many towns that can offer such a variety of things to do, with a cosmopolitan feel, yet still has a friendly family atmosphere.”
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