The tranquil adjoining suburbs of Charlo and Broadwood are best known for their strong sense of community and family-friendly feel.
This is according to Hayley Egling, who grew up in the area. Fellow resident, Jayd Horrmann, agrees, saying, “The part we stay in is very quiet. We don’t live near a main thoroughfare.” Both residents agree on the a¬ffordability of houses in this popular part of Port Elizabeth. “The price of property is still good and a perk of living in this area is that it’s centrally located and near malls and businesses. It’s just five minutes from Walmer Park shopping centre and Grass Roof in Seaview, and 10 minutes from Baywest,” Jayd says.
Hayley says speed bumps and other traffic-calming measures have been introduced to make the roads safer. She says security has also been improved. “The Atlas patrols have increased over the years and this helps us feel more protected.” Families are drawn to the peaceful atmosphere of Charlo and Broadwood. “Charlo is a quiet and relaxed suburb. Many families have children and you often see the kids playing in the gardens or in the public spaces. It’s very much a family-oriented neighbourhood,” Hayley says.
Charlo was originally part of the Lovemore farms owned by Charles Lovemore. He sold the land to allow for the development of Charlo, which today has a variety of amenities to o¬ffer. “There’s a primary school located in the heart of Charlo, and there are many public parks in the area and lots of birdlife too. There are also three veterinary facilities within five minutes of us,” Jayd says.
Out of everything that the area o¬ffers, Hayley loves her house the most. “We love that it has a nice, big, flat erf. Our home has a big garden, allowing lots of space for future plans and for our children to play. Our house has spacious living areas and lots of room for entertaining, with a nice flow from inside to the outdoor entertainment areas,” she says. “I would say it’s a standard size and layout. We’ve completed some renovations to open up some of the living areas, which I think many people do.”
Charlo is a quiet area, which I like. The people are friendly and always willing to help. It’s a very community-oriented area.
-Bev Smith, resident.
Places to take the kids:
- Beans with Wings
- Funky Frogs at Moffett on Main
- The play park in Angela Avenue
Schools nearby:
- Charlo Primary School
- Walmer West Primary School
- Theodor Herzl Schools
- DF Malherbe High School
Dine out nearby:
- Eagle Ridge Spur
- A variety of cafes at the Fig Tree and Walmer Park shopping centres.
- The Rose Garden Tea House at Floradale Nursery
- Grass Roof Farm Stall, Restaurant and Bakery
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
