Annemi Kotze, a CRM sales representative and proud Umdloti resident, moved here from the hubbub of Gauteng, choosing this village’s serenity and scenic outlook for herself after her parents made their home here.
Annemi says,
“The community in Umdloti has a definite sense of family, and we’re close-knit because we feel communally passionate about preserving this little slice of heaven but open enough to want to share it with the world. We share a love for our town and deep camaraderie that is often evident in a small suburb.”
Named after a species of wild tobacco that grows in the fields and grasslands surrounding the town, Umdloti is home many luxurious ocean-fronting properties and enjoys a quiet calm. Thanks to its convenient location, Umdloti is a jewel of a find for commuters opting for a good work/life balance. The town is 10 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and even closer than that to Umhlanga. It might not be shopping-mall material, but your favourite friendly retailers can be found in smaller shops within the town.
Holiday homes and timeshare properties can be found in between the residential homes, making it a busy spot when the sun comes out to play. During the holiday season, Umdloti’s small population of approximately 3,000 people swells to almost ten times that as sunseekers book into holiday homes and the matric ragers swarm in for balmy beach fun.
You can take your pick from three gorgeous beaches, but you must be careful of the occasionally rough waves and currents. Umdloti’s beaches a prime spot for surfers, so if you’re brave enough, grab your board and head on out for an unforgettable tumble in the blue sea. If surfing isn’t your style, go for a swim in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the natural rock pool.
Dolphins are one of Umdloti’s main tourist attractions and they can often be sighted playing in the waves. Whales are also regularly spotted in season, which runs from July to November. Umdloti’s residents and suburban management are deeply committed to caring for their surroundings, including the natural resources and locations. Bird-watchers might a fish eagle or three in the skies above the town, or pass a Crowned guinea fowl on their way down to the beach. Dense vegetation surrounds part of Umdloti, and you might just spy a duiker or bushbuck on your way to the shops.
Other activities include sipping a sweet cocktail at Sand Bar or booking a horse-riding lesson with Wellesley Riding School. There is fine Italian cuisine on offer at Bel Punto and La Casa Nostra, and exquisite seafood to be enjoyed at Mundo Vida. Pull up a bar-stool at Bush Tavern to enjoy a nightcap and listen in as their locals share their stories about this quiet and comfortable town. Perhaps they’ll even convince you to settle there.
Umdloti’s top five attractions
Umdloti resident Annemi Kotze shares her top five things she loves about living in Umdloti:
- majestic sunrises and magical full-moon views
- hearing the ocean so close that you can’t sleep sometimes
- a selection of some of the top restaurants in the country
- its natural serenity and convenient location
the ever-smiling people who call Umdloti home.
Property prices in Umdloti
A typical property for sale in Umdloti is a three-bedroom apartment at an average asking price of R2,65m
- 71% of properties for sale are apartments
- 19% of properties for sale are houses, at an average asking price of R6,5m
- 3% of properties for sale are in complexes, at an average asking price of R2,2m
- Average monthly rental for a two-bedroom apartment: R11,000
Demand
Properties for sale in Umdloti comprise 29% of total sales listings in the Umdloti to Westbrook area. They receive:
- 30% of the interestenter link description here
- 38% of the total rental listings
than properties elsewhere in the Umdloti to Westbrook area.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.