Area Review : Constantia Kloof

Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort is the Wild, Wild West, baby. But, sadly, there are no smoky-eyed cowboys or Scarlet O’Haras around these parts. This region of Gauteng gets its cheeky nickname because of its location – west of Johannesburg.

The small suburb is not far from the 14^th Avenue off ramp. It’s situated between Constantia Park and Ontdekkers Road. As the name suggests, Constantia Kloof sits in a cleft in Constantia Ridge, a little koppie just off the N1 highway.

According to property research experts Lightstone, most Constantia Kloof residents are between the ages of 36 and 64, the rest are either pensioners (65+) or young adults (18-35). This is a suburb where you’ll find that the majority of residents are families.

Terry Cousins and his family have lived in Constantia Kloof for the past 22 years. The Cousins love the area and their home, which borders on a park and bird sanctuary. They chose the suburb for its good schools and the lifestyle that it offers.

“It’s like living in the country with the convenience of the city,” says Cousins. Although their children are grown up now, Terry remembers a time when the children were small and the family would enjoy walks in the beautiful park.

“We still walk our dog there every day. There’s also a stream that runs through the park and if you’re up for a hike in the veld, the views are amazing.”

Nearby is the Kloofendal Nature Reserve, home to many beautiful birds and flora, including proteas, orchids and indigenous trees. Bird watching and walking trails in the reserve are a popular antidote for city life. The famous Walter Sisulu Gardens are also just around the corner and make for a magical Sunday afternoon picnic. Think sprawling, luscious green lawns, big rocks and beautiful little waterfalls.

The suburb has its own shopping complex, Constantia Square, and isn’t far from the ever-so-posh Clearwater Mall, which boasts almost 200 shops – a definite fix for anyone in need of retail therapy.

The region is also home to one of the country’s best-loved golf courses, The Roodepoort Country Club. Designed by Gary Player, this course offers 72 bunkers and several water hazards, making for a challenging round.

Cousins says that properties in Constantia Kloof are above average in size. According to Lightstone, freehold properties constitute 55% of all market stock in Constantia Kloof and sectional schemes make up the balance. Over the past year 67 properties in the suburb changed hands, 33 of which were freehold. The freehold properties averaged about R1,6m each, while the average sectional title property went for around R630 000.

The growth and activity in the area has been steady since 2004. Back then a freehold property would have cost around R800 000. Four years later, these prices climbed to about R1,5m.

Sectional scheme properties have enjoyed a minor yearly increase in value since 2006. Lightstone says that in terms of freehold property, Constantia Kloof prices are on par with other Gauteng suburbs like Ferndale, Linden and Sunninghill. If you’re looking to buy sectional scheme, Constantia Kloof is in the same price bracket as Menlyn, Paulshof and Kloofendal.