Learn more about Virgina from local property experts.
Who is buying property in Virginia, and what types of properties are available?
Virginia is not so much a suburb, as a stretch of property surrounding Virginia Airport and Virginia Circle. Most of these title deeds were altered to read Durban North. There is a wide mix of properties here, and many adjoining the airport are spacious, sea-facing homes, some fronting the golf course. There’s ongoing, intense speculation – and controversy – as to the future of the airport, the result of which only time will tell. For now, there are many good, solid, old Durban North-type homes, which are bought by young couples prepared to take time upgrading, or investors who’ll bide their time in the knowledge that this area will become prime.
Myles Wakefield: CEO, Wakefields Real Estate
What do you love about Virginia?
It is a family-oriented area with a great sense of community and, although it is centrally and conveniently located, living in Virginia feels very much like living in a small town. The main commercial centre along Mackeurtan Avenue is home to a number of superb restaurants and takeaways, and one of my favourite lunchtime escapes is to go and have a cheese burger at Virginia Burgers and watch the small aircraft taking off and landing. Beachwood Golf Course is known as a challenging championship course that is the nemesis of many seasoned golfers. The Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve preserves a natural estuarine ecosystem and it is the only project of its kind in the whole of eThekwini.
How has Virginia changed over the past five years?
The area will be changing in the future because of the proposed changes to the airport and possible development along this beachfront area. However, for the past five years, the area hasn’t undergone extensive changes. If anything, it has grown in popularity because of its convenience and schools like Danville and Virginia Primary. A lot of the homes in the area enjoy beautiful sea views and hence there has been some upgrading of properties in the area. Virginia Beach has become a more popular family beach in the past five years, and there is a little bar on the beach which has added to the appeal.
Carol Reynolds: Area principal, Pam Golding Properties, Durban Coastal
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
