Are you a foodie keen to live near your favourite produce markets or a variety of restaurants? If so, fast-paced Gauteng has a surprisingly large number of neighbourhoods that will really appeal to the gourmand in you.
This three bedroom en suite home for sale in Fourways is situated in Dainfern. The home has a separate lounge and dining room with fireplace, covered patio with built-in braai, heated swimming pool, French-style courtyard, fitted study, wine cellar, double-automated garage with direct access to the house and flatlet. It is selling for R7.5 million - click here to view.According to Rawson Property Group agents, first - and probably best-known - among these is the heritage suburb of Parkhurst in Johannesburg, which boasts at least 23 bars, bistros, cafes, diners, grills, fine-dining restaurants and fast-food outlets in its Fourth Avenue precinct.
Currently one of the most sought-after suburbs in the city, Parkhurst also offers small stands that foster good security and a neighbourly atmosphere, as well as an outstanding location close to several business nodes, Zoo Lake, Delta Park and many top schools including St Katharine’s and Pridwin, the German school, King David, De La Salle Holy Cross, Greenside High and the Parktown Girls and Parktown Boys high schools as well as The Ridge and St Johns.
In addition, the majority of homes here have been upgraded and extended and have great appeal for modern couples and families, and especially those who like to spend time outdoors when they are not sampling the delights of their neighbourhood eateries.
It is, however, quite a pricey area, with prices starting at around R2.3 million for a two bedroom townhouse and ranging up to about R5.5 million for a three bedroom double storey house.
The good news, however, is that the love of good food has spread to several of the neighbouring suburbs, some of which offer much less expensive real estate. These include:
1. Greenside
This two bedroom, one bathroom ground floor flat selling in Linden has a modern kitchen, covered patio, garage and private garden. It has access to a communal pool and braai area, and is on sale for R800 000 - click here to view.Greenside is home to about 30 bars and eateries along Gleneagles and Greenway roads, as well as the popular Pirates Grill on Braeside Road. This area is a United Nations of food, with a huge variety of traditional cuisines on offer, from Italian and Indian to Lebanese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and American. The area attracts many young non-residents over weekends.
Justin Smith, the Rawson Property Group's franchisee in Greenside, says one and two bedroom apartments in this area starts from around R1.3 million, and three bedroom homes on large stands from around R2.6 million.
“And at the top end of the market, R5 million will buy a newly-built five bedroom, four bathroom house with five living rooms, a double garage and a separate cottage.”
2. Linden
Linden features large older homes on very large stands, and is currently attracting an increasing number of young families keen on country living who are, in turn, producing their own food and running creative and artisanal businesses from home, says local Rawson Property Group franchise Jandri Coetzee.
This three bedroom, two bathroom duplex townhouse for sale in Fourways has a private walled garden. It has access to a communal swimming pool and clubhouse. It is selling for R1.829 million - click here to view.A new market featuring local crafts and food has also been established here and, not surprisingly, Coetzee says there are more than 20 cafés, traditional restaurants and fine dining establishments in the neighbourhood, many of which make use of “home-grown” produce.
Home prices in Linden start at around R750 000 for a two bedroom, one bathroom flat, and at around R1.8 million for a three bedroom house. Developers have also bought and subdivided some of the older stands, and there are brand new two bedroom, two bathroom duplexes available for just under R2 million. The top end of this market is around R5 million, which will buy a five bedroom home on a stand of more than 3 400sqm.
3. Fourways
If what you want is to live close to a really great food market, one of your best real estate options in Johannesburg is Fourways, which hosts a huge and lively Farmers’ Market every Sunday, and is also close to Sandton, several high-end shopping venues and more than a dozen of the city’s top private schools.
Set in Pretoria’s Menlo Park, this newly-built 275sqm open-plan home is one of five full title properties in a security complex. It is on the market for R2.995 million - click here to view.This is according to Steve Goosen, the Rawson Property Group' franchisee in Fourways, who says the area also offers a very wide variety of property options to suit all needs and budgets. Prices start at around R650 000 for modern studio apartments and at around R750 000 for two bedroom units.
Two bedroom townhouses are available at prices from around R1 million, and three bedroom freehold homes at prices from R1.7 million. Larger family houses start from around R2 million and range all the way up to around R8.5 million for a palatial six bedroom home in the exclusive Fourways Gardens estate.
Foodie spots in Pretoria
Meanwhile in Tshwane, the top foodie nodes currently are the “Old East” suburbs of Lynnwood, which has more than 70 restaurants within its extensive boundaries, and Menlo Park/Hazelwood, comprising more than a dozen popular eateries and playing host to the trendy Hazel Food Market every Saturday.
This two bedroom, two bathroom apartment for sale in Fourways is situated in a secure complex. The kitchen features granite tops and oven with extractor fan. It is selling for R825 000 - click here to view.According to local Rawson Property Group franchisee, Bertie Lombard, Menlo Park is also attracting the attention of developers at the moment because of its enviable location close to the new Menlyn business centre and its proximity to most of the city’s highly-rated public schools, as well as the generous proportions of its original stands.
Consequently, the entry level is now quite high, with prices for both pre-owned three bedroom homes and newly-built two bedroom apartments starting at around R2.2 million, and younger buyers are understandably favouring the many apartment and townhouse complexes in neighbouring Lynnwood instead.
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