It was Malcolm X who said that education is the passport to the future, and for parents who want their children to have the best academic and sporting opportunities available, living close to their school of choice is their ticket to their children’s long-term success. The range of excellent public and private schools in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs is certainly a significant driver of sales activity in these areas, says Pam Golding Properties.
Although not a new trend, the greater Fourways, Midrand and Sandton areas are experiencing renewed interest from buyers with school-going children. Many of the schools here boast excellent academic track records, and offer a number of sports and cultural activities, as well as life orientation skills. Dainfern College for example, encourages entrepreneurship across all ages, and the school leadership program is significant in that Matric pupils are appointed to oversee specific departments such as sports or discipline.
“Buyers purchase homes in suburbs that are located within reasonable proximity to good schools to avoid traffic and a lengthy daily commute,” says Richard Smith, Pam Golding Properties’ Hyde Park area manager.
In the greater Sandton area, suburbs such as The Parks which includes Parkwood, Parkview, Parktown North and Parkhurst, Westcliff, Forest Town, Saxonwold, Dunkeld, Rosebank, Morningside, Houghton, Bryanston, Melrose, Atholl, Illovo and Inanda are especially sought-after, adds Smith.
Top schools include Crawford Sandton, Grayston Preparatory School, Lycee Jules Verne French International School, Redhill School, Bryanston High, St Stithians College, King David Primary and High School, Hyde Park High School, Parkhurst Primary School, Rosebank Primary School, Parktown Girls High, Parkview Senior School, Parkview Junior School, Jan Celliers Laerskool en Pre-Primêr, St John’s College, Roedean School, St Mary’s School Waverley, Kingsmead College, The Ridge School, St Teresa’s School, St David’s Marist Inanda and Pridwin Preparatory School. Fourways is spoilt for choice with schools such as Fourways High, Kings College, Dainfern College, Reddham Helderfontein, St Peters College, American International School, Steyn City and Crawford schools in Lonehill.
“In Dainfern and Helderfontein Estate, buyers are attracted to the location of schools within the secure estates with a number of amenities close by,” says Ken Woollcott, Pam Golding Properties area manager for Fourways.
Nadia Moosa, Pam Golding Properties Midrand area manager, says this area caters for a range of budgets, offering a selection of schools. Suburbs such as Beaulieu, Crowthorne, Kyalami, Noordwyk and Waterfall are in high demand, while young families or newly-weds are attracted to Kyalami Hills and Kyalami Clusters because of schools such as Kyalami Preparatory School, Reddam House Waterfall and Beaulieu College, among others.
In Kyalami Hills, apartments are priced from R1.2 million to R1.8 million, and in Kyalami Clusters, prices range from R2.5 million to R4 million. Often, buyers in Kyalami Hills upgrade to Kyalami Clusters as the family grows.
“Midrand property prices start from R550 000 for one bedroom apartments in Halfway Gardens, and can reach upwards of R40 million in upmarket Waterfall Equestrian Estate,” says Moosa.
Home prices in Dainfern range from R3.5 million to R20 million, and in Helderfontein Estate, three to four bedroom houses are selling from R5 million to R15 million, while in the greater Sandton area, it is possible to buy property from R2 million in Morningside and Bryanston, and upwards of R20 million in Westcliff or Parktown.
“Parents are more involved in their children’s education and sporting activities, and the convenience of living close to their preferred schools enables them to be part of these events without having to drive far. Buying a home close to school becomes an important consideration,” say the agents.
