A convenient location, modern amenities, outdoor lifestyle and security – Fourways offers all this and more.
How does a suburb with its origins as a dusty four-way stop grow into one of the fastest commercial and residential hubs in the greater Sandton area? The secret may be in its name. With easy access routes off the William Nicol Drive, Witkoppen Road and the N1 highway, Fourways’ location is extremely convenient, whether you need to nip into the city for work, or pack your bags for a weekend away in the Magaliesberg or Hartebeespoort. There’s more to this suburb than just its location though. Here are seven more reasons why Fourways residents love living there:
1. Small town living
Fourways gives you the benefits of being close to the epicentre of bustling Joburg, but you still get the upsides of small town living. Resident Tracey Cloete says that it's not cramped like Sandton. “You don't feel like you're living in Joburg – it feels more like you're living in a small town,” she says. Fellow resident Lloyd Moran agrees: “ I love being able to walk around, ride our bikes and just generally not feel like you're living in the middle of a city.”
2. The outdoors
Fourways is the gateway to The Cradle, and its surrounding roads are packed with cyclists every weekend. In fact, Cycle Lab, one of Joburg’s biggest cycling shops, is in Fourways, and every Saturday and Sunday you’ll spot lycra-clad warriors sipping their cappacinos while enjoying a hearty breakfast after their early morning ride. Tracey loves going on trail rides in the area as well as walks, while resident Stuart Browne sites the Dainfern golf course as one of his favourites in Johannesburg.
3. Shopping centres
Fourways has everything you need when it comes to retail therapy. With Fourways Mall on your doorstep, Broadacres Shopping centre a five minute drive away and the Design Quarter up the road, choose from big name retailers to smaller boutiques and everything in between. Pick up some groceries at the Broadacres Spar – considered by many to be the best in the country - meet a friend for coffee at the trendy Design Quarter or run errands at the mall.
4. Montecasino
Whether it’s catching the latest international comedian on tour, visiting the arcades with your kids or trying your hand at blackjack, Gauteng’s “Premier Entertainment Destination” has a wealth of activities to keep the whole family busy. Resident Nadine Smyth says that The Bird Show at Montecasino is a definite favourite of hers. “My kids love running through the secret walkways and spotting brightly coloured birds and reptiles on their way,” she says.
5. Family-friendly
Fourways has more than enough to keep families of all ages and stages happy. From family-friendly restaurants such as The Secret Garden at Norscot Manor and Pappachinos at Pineslopes, to the Farmers Market every Sunday where you can pick up some organic produce, to heading down a “ski slope” at Avalanche in Cedar Square – parents and kids are spoilt for choice.
6. Restaurants and bars
If you love eating out, you won’t have to look far for great restaurants to visit in Fourways. Tracey loves The Peach Café on Camdeboo Farm where you can pick your own fruit and enjoy their famous wood-fired pizza, while Lloyd says he loves exploring the various microbreweries in the area. Copperlake Brewing Co is one of his favourites: grab some delicious sharing platters and then test out their Taster Tray featuring eight locally brewed beers. The Steamworks gastropub is another great option: take in the impressive décor, sip on a few cocktails and enjoy a meal with some friends.
7. Security
If you’re looking for secure living, Fourways is ideal. Choose from high density apartment complexes, townhouse developments, housing estates or lifestyle estates like Dainfern – all of which offer a level of safety and security that’s become a priority for many Joburg residents.
With its diverse range of properties, Fourways residents comprise a good mix of people, from students and young professionals to young families and retirees. From a suburb originally made up of smallholdings, its development has been staggering. With its amenities, convenient location and “small town” feel while still being located close to the Sandton CBD, this isn’t at all surprising.
Watch the incredible Fourways video below
Property prices in Fourways
A typical property for sale in Fourways is a two-bedroom apartment at an average asking price of R1,149m.
- 27% of properties for sale are houses, at an average asking price of R3,46m
- 17% of properties for sale are in complexes, at an average asking price of R2,1m
- A typical property for rent in Fourways is a two-bedroom apartment, at a monthly asking price of R8,500.
Demand
- Properties for sale in Fourways comprise of 19% of the total sale listings in the Sunninghill, Lonehill and Fourways area, and
- 15% of the total rental listings.
- They receive 20% of the interest (views) in properties for sale
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
