It’s safe to say that Johannesburg and Pretoria aren’t the prettiest cities in the world. However, there are pockets within these two metropoles that go against the grain. Faerie Glen in Pretoria east is one of these, says Marlene Odendaal of Century 21 Pretoria East, which has long serviced the area.
Located along the southern slopes of the Bronberg Mountain between Lynwood and Garsfontein, Faerie Glen is a fairly large and established suburb that can roughly be divided into “old” and “new”. Old Faerie Glen lies to the west of Hans Strydom and new Faerie Glen runs alongside the suburb of Olympus. Unsurprisingly the majority of the larger, more established properties are located west of Hans Strydom and the bulk of the new security complexes and clusters have mushroomed Olympus-side.
Fairies don’t actually live here
According to Odendaal, the majority of the properties located throughout Faerie Glen are upmarket, with prices ranging from R700 000 for “starter” sectional title units, to R15-million for some of the lavish freehold residences. The majority of the residences are bordered by pretty, tree-lined streets and many feature large, lush gardens which attract birds in their droves. Despite its name, fairies have yet to be spotted in the area, she quips.
Faerie Glen can be easily accessed via the N1 and N4 and lies within easy reach of all major amenities and retail centres. Quaint coffee shops and craft shops have taken root around the suburb, local church bazaars are not uncommon, and nearby Olympus offers quality educational facilities in the form of schools such as Doxa Deo. The Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is a popular attraction which also lies within fairly close reach.
Village vibe
Says Odendaal: “Faerie Glen has long been a popular suburb thanks to its sedate, village-like feel and pretty surrounds. Residents don’t have to travel far too shop or enjoy a night out on the town and they feel safe. Indeed, while it is usually the norm for people to move approximately every five years, Faerie Glen residents tend to upgrade or downsize within the area rather than move away. Thankfully, development in the suburb has slowed which should help retain the area’s small-town feel.”
Comments left by visitors to Safarinow, Africa’s largest booking site attest to the suburb’s appeal. Says Ziggy Heide: “Upmarket residential – Faerie Glen is the most superb suburb with beautiful trees and other vegetation around. The area is particularly close to my heart as I grew up in it. I wouldn’t consider any other area at all.”
Chris Vermeulen said: “Beautiful area – Faerie Glen is close to hospitals and large shopping malls. It is also close to the major highways in and around Pretoria. It is an upmarket area, but also has a country feel to it.”