Families are increasingly choosing to buy property on South African estates due to the safety and lifestyle benefits.
According to the results of the latest Victims of Crime Survey, which measures household perceptions of crime, over a third of South Africans avoid open spaces because of a fear of crime and 22% claimed it prevented them from allowing their children to play outside the family home. As a result, homeowners are increasingly investing in secure lifestyle estates where they can enjoy a sense of security, not only within their own homes, but also when they are outside exploring local areas and open spaces. One such development, Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club, offers residents secure access to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, along the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast.
Safety is a priority that continues to influence the South African property market, stimulating demand for homes within secure estates, of which an estimated 6 000 now exist throughout the country. However, these developments are increasingly answering the call to provide more than just secure residences, but access to a selection of lifestyle opportunities that can be enjoyed without the threat of crime.
Along with a series of luxury properties, Olivewood boasts an array of natural landscapes within its 1 000-hectare estate including forests, open plains, river banks and dams. Sixty percent of the area will remain undeveloped, so there will always be an abundance of open space where homeowners can wander in peace, whilst enjoying sightings of blesbok, waterbuck, impala and warthog.
The comprehensive security offerings in place at the estate include electrified ClearVu fencing which is both anti cut and anti-climb, manned entry and access points, CCTV surveillance, 24 hour on site security personnel, regular patrols of the estate and an emergency response team. These provisions remove the necessity for oppressive home security measures such as high walls or locked doors, helping to foster an old-fashioned sense of community where neighbours know each other, children play in nature and open spaces can be enjoyed with abandon.
Comments Kelly Rens, Olivewood Estate Client Liaison Manager: “Situated in Chintsa East, just 40 km away from East London, Olivewood was created as a countryside oasis where residents could escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy care free outdoor lifestyles.”
This is clearly viewed as an attractive option and, according to research conducted by Lightstone, properties within such developments sell for approximately three times the national average - proving that peace of mind is an essential ingredient in the provision of desirable living spaces.
