This quiet, picturesque PE neighbourhood is an idyllic place to bring up a family.
Beautiful homes and quiet streets; you would be forgiven for thinking that the neighbourhood of Mount Croix was a backdrop for a family TV series. The suburb is neatly tucked away between Cape Road and North End, is upmarket without being pretentious and a great place to raise a family.
Close to schools and parks, with the only real traffic occurring during school drop-off times, Mount Croix is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Port Elizabeth. It’s also situated just behind the Provincial Hospital and is has a reliable bus service.
It’s said to be a popular choice for growing families as well as retirees looking for scenic surroundings in which to enjoy their time with family and friends. The large, mostly classically designed, often double-storey, homes of the area boast views of the Indian Ocean. With beaches 10 to 15 minutes away, residents are close enough to enjoy Port Elizabeth’s Blue Flag beaches but also far enough not to be affected by the hustle and bustle of tourist seasons.
Westbourne Road with its many shops, boutiques and even a few eateries is situated right by Mount Croix, offering shopping convenience. Cape Road with its multitude of restaurants and businesses is also right there, making the suburb well situated. The area has an active neighbourhood watch and two parks where children can play.
Steeped in history, Mount Croix is also the site for one of two Nelson Mandela Bay memorials; remembering the women and children who suffered and died in the British concentration camps during the Anglo Boer War 1899 – 1902.
Resident, Karin Matthys, says:
The best part about the area is that it is near to good schools and that you have easy access to freeways to get to the beach, university or shopping malls
Top schools:
- Erica Girls’ Primary School
- Lawson Brown High School
- Parsons Hill Primary School
Best in food:
- Kings Arms: a casual pub-style eatery
- Picasso’s Pizza Bar: for fresh speciality pizza and pasta
- Royal Delhi: a popular family-run Indian restaurant
Shopping in the area:
- Greenacres and The Bridge shopping centres
- Pier 14 Shopping Centre
- Westbourne Road shopping precinct
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
