Located in Johannesburg’s leafy “Parks” suburbs, Craighall Park’s popularity among property buyers continues to grow despite South Africa’s economic pressures.
Because it’s one of Joburg’s older suburbs, it offers excellent value for money, with most properties dating back 50 or 60 years. This means you can pick up plenty of “golden oldies” where you can quickly increase your initial investment value through a savvy renovation. And while it has a sedate feel to it, Craighall Park is also conveniently close to shopping and retail hubs like Hyde Park, Rosebank and Sandton.
Family homes form the majority of Craighall Park properties, with most built on stands of half an acre, containing several large bedrooms, staff quarters, and lush rolling gardens with established trees. Prices range from R3m up to around R7m or more. For smaller budgets, there are a good number of cluster houses – typically brand new or renovated – that sell for under R3m. For the entry-level buyer, you can still find apartments for between R1 and R2m in a select number of older sectional-title blocks.
I loved the community spirit, the size of the properties, and the convenience of where the suburb is located.
– Belinda Mountain, homeowner.
In general, Craighall Park is hugely popular with young families, not least due to excellent playschools, nursery schools and junior schools in the area such as the top-rated Craighall Primary School. The leafy streets have a neighbourly feel, with plenty of residents walking dogs and some pushing babies on prams in the mornings and afternoons.
Local businesses in Craighall Park are well supported, and as a resident you’re close to a local grocer, supermarket, several spas, restaurants and delis. On weekends, REEA nursery’s Delta Cafe is popular with locals, and you can pick up fresh organic fruit and vegetables at the REEA market on weekends.
In terms of security, CSS Tactical has a strong presence in the suburb, and there’s a very active Craighall Park community who are very involved in their suburb, including group clean-ups of parks and public spaces in the neighbourhood.
Activities
- Take the dogs and children for a walk, run, play or cycle through the greenbelt of Delta Park.
- Enjoy an afernoon of lawn bowls at the Rosebank Bowling Club.
- Buy seasonal, organic budget-friendly vegetables from the REEA nursery (grown in its garden) every weekend, with all proceeds going to the REEA centre for epilepsy.
Spa Activities
- Treat yourself to a day spa package at the Hands on Retreat.
- Get a mani or pedi at Toast & Co.
- Get your hair cut at Pure hair salon or XOXO Hair Studio.
- Schedule a facial at the Colony Body Clinic.
- Choose from a variety of floatation, massage and beauty therapies at Cloud 9 Floatation and Massage.
Best in food:
- Try out generous pizzas with unique flavour combinations at Toni’s Fully Furnished Pizza Co.
- Sample an authentic Italian meal at Pronto
- Eat alfresco Italian in the courtyard at Modo Mio.
- Enjoy all-day breakfasts at Warm & Glad.
- Have a leisurely bistro-style lunch at Corner Cafe.
- Taste fresh, seasonal dishes at Possums on Burnside
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
Take a spectacular journey through Rosebank here:
