A NEVER-ENDING BACKYARD
It’s the inevitable moan from those final few. The ‘bitter end’ crowd that still refuse to acknowledge the obvious benefits of secured communities and sectional title developments. “I want my kids to grow up with a garden; I don’t want my neighbours right on top of me. Estates are like living in those houses in England. There’s no space.”
This nostalgic yearning for yesteryear ignores the reality that South Africans face today. No longer can young children take a walk to the neighbourhood playground to meet their friends. Gridlocked traffic is a hindrance to exercising at your local gym and the costs of building and maintaining a swimming pool have become exorbitant (when considering how many days per year that you actually use it).
What was once unthought-of, has now become a priority. Investors and buyers are willing to pay a premium for estate facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools and sports fields. When questioned on the benefits of common usage areas, agents selling in the stunning Cotswold Downs Golf Estate in Hillcrest (Durban) explained the extent that their new Leisure Centre will have on property values.
This investment of nearly R30 million will include a gym, squash court, tennis court, swimming pool, café and an a La Carte restaurant. Not only will this help build a growing sense of community in the estate, but it is also expected to increase property values at a conservative rate of seven percent.
South Africans who place security as a paramount consideration to their lifestyle have awoken to the need for high density living. They understand that their levies are not only an investment in the upkeep of the estate, but it also allows their children to roam free and ride their bikes for hours on end. Hundreds, if not thousands of playmates are now able to meet at their estate jungle gym to enjoy a dream scenario of exploring the biggest backyard imaginable.