Living in Higgovale is a lifestyle filled with privilege, from the magnificent surroundings to the perfect accessibility of the city’ many offerings.
Because of it’s unique geographical location of hugging the slopes of Table Mountain and Lions Head above Camps Bay and Clifton, this city suburb’s residents enjoy a relatively wind free lifestyle similar to its Atlantic Seaboard neighbour, Bantry Bay. With close proximity to the city, it enjoys top real estate ratings both in property for sale and property for rent.
Viewed by most as a part of the city suburb of Gardens, Higgovale is comfortably accessible from the V & A Waterfront as well as the city via Kloof Nek Road, and within easy walking distance from the trendy Kloof Street location known for famous eateries and retail facilities. Other neighbouring city suburbs include Devils Peak Estate, Kloofnek, Tamboerskloof, Oranjezicht, and Vredehoek.
Two of the less commonly known facts about this suburb is the natural sporting facilities found here. This little suburb has a man built quarry, that found its origins in the community’s need of a local shooting range, and many years later has become the perfect terrain where a keen climbing fraternity can exercise this adventure sport. Another activity that showcases this suburb is the annual Three Peak Challenge trail across the scenic peaks of Devils Peak, Table Mountain and Lions Head. Covering steep climbs and distances totalling approximately 50 km in one day, this race is a reminder of Carl Wilhelm Schneeberger’s who in 1897 successfully ascended Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, starting and finishing at what was then the old Johannesburg Hotel in Long Street.
As a result of the superior quality lifestyle and close-by amenities, property for rent is a highly sought after commodity in Higgovale, illustrated by rentals that go up to R40 000 per month for luxury freestanding properties on large plots. It also offers several private estates mostly with panoramic views of the mountain or city, and while it maybe viewed as a small suburb without its own amenities such as schools, hospitals, and shopping centres, all these facilities are readily on hand within close proximity.
While property prices here are closely linked to the values driven by supply and demand, Lightstone statistics show that 40% of stable owners and 44% of recent sellers find it such a comfort zone that they lived there for 11 years and more. With a market stock of 75% freehold properties, the small number of sectional share properties reflect average freehold values that escalated from R2.5 million in 2004, peaking in 2007 at R4.3 with the past three months reflecting average values of R3.8 million. Average freehold property prices here started out at R2.5 in 2004, and peaked last year at R9.3 million, while the past three months have shown some decline. In terms of a national suburb ranking in average value terms, Higgovale holds position number 15, and is rated in ninth position in the Western Cape with average values coming in just below Fresnaye on the Atlantic Seaboard, and above that of Constantia in the Southern Suburbs.
