This suburb has all the attractions of a small village yet isn't far from Cape Town.
You don’t need an invitation to pop into someone’s house in Durbanville – all you need is a bottle of wine and some boerie to throw on the braai,
says Carla Kropman, who grew up in the suburb. And that, perhaps, is what defines this small-town suburb on the doorstep of Cape Town – the warm, funny, caring and genuine people who call it home.
The suburb has all the attractions of a small village – a slower pace and quieter atmosphere – yet it’s only 25 minutes’ drive away from the Cape Town city centre, and has easy access to both the N1 and N7 highways. Another attraction is the schools in the area, such as Durbanville Primary and High School, Chesterhouse International School, and Fairmont High School. Resident Louis Schoeman adds that the area also has a warm, temperate climate with rainfall only during winter.
He says typical buyers in the area are between the ages of 35 and 40 with young families, and are attracted to the top schools and the laid-back lifestyle Durbanville has to offer. According to Kropman, these younger families looking to buy are joining many “die-hard Durbanville patriots” already residing in the suburb. “There are people like my parents, who were born and grew up there and will likely never leave. They’re fiercely committed and deeply connected to their town,” she says.
There is a mixture of property types – from secured apartment blocks, complexes and townhouses, to upmarket estate living. Typical traditional standalone homes offer spacious living areas and big gardens with lush, established trees. “The average price for a typical one-bedroom apartment starts at R750,000, while luxury homes or clusters within estates go for R3,5m and can reach up to R20m,” Schoeman says.
And what about leisure time? You’re spoilt for choice in Durbanville, as you’re surrounded by award-winning wine farms and great picnic spots where you can enjoy expansive views of the valley. You could also do some tobogganing with the kids at Cool Runnings, or go mountain biking in the Majik forest.
Wine estates along the Durbanville Wine Route:
- Nitida
- D’Aria
- Bloemendal
- Durbanville Hills
Hit the shops:
- Tyger Valley Shopping Centre
- Capegate Shopping Centre
- De Ville Shopping Centre
Family-friendly activities nearby:
- Go tobogganing at Cool Runnings in Tygervalley
- Take the family mountain biking in Majik forest
- Visit Stodels in Bellville to pet the animals
- Go to Funky Frogs in the Tyger Valley centre for loads of indoor fun
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
