Megan Coleman, Miss South Africa 2006, tells us about her neighbourhood.
About the area
Gillitts, in the Upper Highway area, is where you will find the quintessential country lifestyle. This suburb attracts a broad range of individuals from business owners to growing families. Gillitts is an established area comprising old-fashioned homes, popular developed estates, and spacious complex living. With easy access to the M13 and N3, other amenities close by include the Gillitts Medical Centre and Hillcrest Private Hospital. Megan Coleman, Miss South Africa 2006, has found the perfect home in Gillitts. “I live in a stunning little complex. I chose my home for a couple of reasons. I wanted something that was central and close to the highway. I also wanted something spacious, but that was easy to lock up and go. Lastly, I wanted a home that I always feel safe in and the security at our complex is amazing,” she says. Megan and her mother, Fay Coleman, run their business, Image Insured, from Hillcrest, which is just a few minutes away from Gillitts. “The complex is built on a hill and as a result our views are absolutely spectacular. We overlook a beautiful nature reserve and a little dam. I find it so therapeutic to wake up in the morning and hear the birds in the trees rather than the hustle and bustle of a city,” says Megan.
Nature is a big part of this area, and many of the activities you will find are outdoors – from hiking, trail walks and mountain biking, to horse riding. “I love that it feels like I am living in the country even though we are so close to Durban. The nature in this area is amazing, and everyone is so active! At 5am everyone is out and about either running or cycling. It is a wonderful community to be part of,” says Megan. A typical Sunday for Megan and her family is embracing the outdoors or enjoying an afternoon at a popular eatery within the Upper Highway area. “My family and I love the outdoors, so we often take our boat down to Inanda Dam if the weather is good and spend the day water-skiing and braaiing. If the weather is a bit miserable, we often go to Lupa for a Sunday lunch,” says Megan. Other places Megan enjoys visiting close to her home are Oscars Cafe in Hillcrest, Stretta Café for a delicious co_ ee or business meeting, while Lupa remains one of her favourite spots for dinner.
Things to do:
- Visit the Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market every Saturday.
- Visit the Shongweni Brewery for local craft beer.
- The adventurous can go to Freedom Trails Mountain Bike Park.
- Shop at Gillitts Shopping Centre.
- Enjoy bass fi shing at Angling KZN – Everton.
Best in food:
- Takami Sushi Bar
- Quo
- Conscious Cafe
- La Verdure Real Food Cafe
- Pintos
Top schools nearby:
- Gillitts Primary School
- Winston Park Primary School
- Cawood Academy
- Fulton School for the Deaf
Buying in Gillitts
The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Gillitts, namely a four-bedroom house with the median asking price of R2,7m, is R26,956 per month over 20 years at prime of 10,5% with no deposit.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
Take a trip through the Hillcrest and surrounds neighbourhood:
