The suburbs of Equestria, Die Wilgers & Lynnwood Ridge are booming as more people are drawn to them by the lifestyle and amenities on offer.
Located on a strip between the N4 highway and Lynnwood Road, just east of the N1 highway, with the Moreleta Spruit as the western border and Solomon Mahlangu Road as the eastern boundary, the neighbouring suburbs of Lynnwood Ridge, Die Wilgers and Equestria are particularly popular for their easy access to everything Pretoria East and Gauteng have to o¬ffer.
Being well-established middle-to-high-income neighbourhoods, the area boasts comprehensive infrastructure that meets the needs of the young and the old. “We have great shopping centres, schools, churches, restaurants, nature areas and hospitals right on our doorstep,” says resident Jacques van Niekerk.
Lynnwood Ridge and Die Wilgers are the oldest of the three leafy suburbs, comprising many sizeable traditional family homes with superbly maintained gardens and well-kept pavements. “The beautiful large trees attract a variety of birds that, together with many hiking trails, add to the tranquillity of the neighbourhood,” says Gerda van Eck, who has lived in Die Wilgers for 25 years. “The people living here are friendly and considerate, and they don’t easily move out of the neighbourhood.”
In addition to freestanding properties, gated areas and townhouse complexes, Lynnwood Ridge and Die Wilgers have several commendable retirement villages and estates. The younger Equestria is a modern suburb just east of Die Wilgers and Simon Vermooten Road comprising an array of contemporary townhouse complexes and lifestyle estates.
The emphasis here is on safety and security as well as communal extras such as entertainment areas, tennis and/or squash courts, cycling paths, swimming pools, kids’ play parks and much more. These relatively a¬ffordable developments enable young couples, small families and first-time buyers to share in a peaceful and relaxing lifestyle just a stone’s throw away from all the necessary amenities.
The area is home to the landmark Safari Garden Centre; the well-known Die Wilgers Tennis Club; the Sungardens Hospice, which has provided palliative care for the past 30 years; as well Groenkloof Slaghuis (east branch), one of the city’s oldest butcheries known for its delicious boerewors. Other popular spots include Presley’s nightclub, Karoo Cafe Lifestyle Centre, the Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary, Varsity College and the Willows Country Lodge.
There’s no shortage of small and medium-sized shopping complexes in the area, and some of the bigger facilities include, among others, the comprehensive The Grove Mall, the newly upgraded Lynnridge Mall, Gift Acres, Willows Crossing, Willow Way, Equestria Gateway, Glenfair Boulevard and Lynnwood Bridge Retail.
These three suburbs are also known for their various resident groups and community initiatives that actively work towards a safe and pleasant neighbourhood.
I'm absolutely in love with the area. It’s a peaceful, safe environment with the most beautiful large trees. We’re centrally situated and the traffic to most of the surrounding places is not that heavy.
-Lelanie Pieterse, resident.
Schools in Pretoria East:
- Hoërskool Die Wilgers
- Willowridge High School
- Lynnwood Ridge Primary School
- Laerskool Skuilkrans
- St Paulus Pre-Primary and
- Primary School
Hospitals in Pretoria East:
- Life Wilgers Hospital
- Life Faerie Glen Hospital
- Netcare Pretoria East Hospital
Things to do in Pretoria East:
- Enjoy ice skating, movies, ten-pin bowling, bumper cars, a toddler water play park and many restaurants at The Grove Mall.
- Treat the kids to an outing at the Bester Birds and Animals Zoo Park.
- Eat out at Ristorante L’Isola, Rock at 88, Karoo Cafe, or Spice – The Indian Kitchen.
- Get close to nature at the nearby Faerie Glen Nature Reserve and the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
Why we love Lynnwood Bridge Retail
Lynnwood Bridge Retail is conveniently situated just off the N1 on Lynnwood Road and offers quick and easy access from all the neighbouring suburbs and main roads. The mall is home to the Atterbury Theatre: a world-class concert hall that hosts a variety of musicals, theatre shows and events.
With many great restaurants and eateries, Lynnwood Bridge Retail is the perfect meeting place for family, friends and colleagues to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, delicious cup of coffee, tasty lunch or delectable dinner. The centre offers a number of unique lifestyle and speciality stores, such as Jenna Clifford, Homewood, Fishing’s Finest, MBW Art Boutique and much more.
Find out more at lynnwoodbridge.co.za.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
View more of the neighbourhood here:
