If you’re looking for a suburb with affordable property, a great location and many amenities then you should look into Dunkeld.
The suburb of Dunkeld is one of Joburg’s hidden gems, offering value for money with spacious freehold homes and upmarket apartments. Agents say even rental stock is sought after and so buy-to-let investors are guaranteed income thanks to outstanding rental returns.
Having lived in Morningside for 10 years, former model and face of L’Oreal in Africa, Kgomotso Primrose Moloantoa moved to Dunkeld three years ago and has never regretted her decision. Now a businesswoman and fashion designer, she says the suburb and surrounds provides her with a lot of inspiration for her designs and eclectic creations.
“The established trees that line the streets and the old-styled homes make it impossible to imagine how tranquil the neighbourhood is, considering that it lies between two of the busiest roads in Joburg – Jan Smuts Avenue and Oxford Road.”
Moloantoa says Dunkeld is close to the Rosebank Gautrain station and Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, and her offices are located a mere 2km away from her house. Neighbouring suburbs include Hyde Park, Illovo, Inanda, Melrose and Rosebank while Sandton CBD, Parkhurst and Joburg CBD are also close by.
“Dunkeld is very secure and, thus, attracts a number of night runners and groups like the Nike Running Club who run through the suburb,” she says.
Another area attraction is the architecture of some of the homes. She says the yards, if not subdivided, are massive, allowing for great home entertainment and raising a large family like hers, with some of these homes even being declared heritage properties.
Dunkeld West Centre is a vibrant local community mall with stores such as the popular Fournos Bakery and the upmarket eatery DW Eleven-13, among others. Additional shopping can be done at Hyde Park Corner, Rosebank Mall, Sandton City and Melrose Arch.
I love Dunkeld because it’s a small exclusive neighbourhood, you can literally count the houses
-Kgomotso Primrose Moloantoa, resident.
Accessibility:
- Availability of public transport including buses and taxis
- Close to major roads and the highway
- Gautrain Bus Route along Jan Smuts Avenue
- Uber and private meter taxis
Dine out:
- Arbour Cafe in Birdhaven for French fare in a lovely setting
- Fournos Bakery for amazing breads and pastries
- DW Eleven-13 for eclectic and modern fine-dining
- Marble Restaurant for contemporary and creative cuisine
- Mud Hut at Inanda Club for tasty light meals and wood-fired pizza
- Mezepoli at the Melrose Arch for delicious Mediterranean food
Local attractions:
- Check out art galleries in Rosebank and Parkwood
- Horse riding at Inanda Club
- National Children's Theatre in Parktown
- Rosebank Rooftop Market
- Visit Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
