Lifestyle and Decor

Suburb focus on the Upper Highway area

Private Property South Africa
Lea Jacobs |
Suburb focus on the Upper Highway area

The Upper Highway area incorporates Winston Park, Gillitts and Botha’s Hill, and has grown exponentially the last few years.

About the area

The cooler climate, large homes and enormous gardens only form part of the attraction of the Upper Highway area of Gillitts, while tree-lined roads, a country atmosphere and gorgeous homes continue to draw buyers from all over the country to Winston Park.

What started off as a farm has been transformed over the years into an area that houses some of Durban’s more gracious homes in suburbs that feature no industrial development and very few sectional title developments. The country-like atmosphere attracts an abundance of birdlife and other indigenous wildlife including duiker and porcupine.

The N3 corridor that incorporates suburbs such as Winston Park, Gillitts and Botha’s Hill has exploded in recent years and although some areas have no room for growth and have retained most of their country-like charm, places like Hillcrest have enjoyed huge commercial expansion which has made living in the Upper Highway area far more convenient than ever before. Good shopping and eating have become the order of the day and the need to travel down to Durban in order to enjoy a night out on the town is now a thing of the past. With a plethora of interesting shops, boutiques and coffee shops, the entire area is also the perfect place to enjoy a Saturday afternoon meander.

Lightstone statistics reveal that although 40% of stable owners are in the 50-to-64-year-old age bracket, there are signs that the area is fast becoming the place to live among the younger set, with 50% of recent buyers aged between 36 and 49 years old. The fact that the area is home to some of Durban’s best private schools is obviously part of the attraction, but, unlike some other areas, the region boasts a number of excellent government educational establishments, which certainly adds to the allure for those with young families.

I moved to this region roughly 10 years ago and for the life of me wonder why it took me so long to make a buying decision. Everything, from the weather to the lifestyle, is perfect for my family’s needs.

John Watson, resident.

Best in food:

  • Oscars Cafe, Hillcrest
  • Bellevue Cafe, Kloof
  • Stretta Cafe, Hillcrest
  • The Drum and Bell Country Pub and Restaurant, Drummond

Top schools:

  • Winston Park Primary School
  • Gillitts Primary School
  • Kearsney College is located in nearby Botha’s Hill
  • Thomas More College is situated in Kloof.

Medical facilities nearby:

  • Hillcrest Private Hospital
  • Medicross Hillcrest
  • Link Hills Medical Centre

This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.

Take a journey through the country lifestyle of the Upper Highway area here:

Explore neighbourhoods mentioned in this article

Hillcrest
Country cosmopolitan
Nestled in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Hillcrest has a slightly cooler and less humid climate than other parts of Durban. It’s a family-friendly suburb, with many private schools, parks and kid-friendly restaurants. Estate living is very common, with many estates boasting well-kept golf courses. Built amongst rolling hills, houses have magnificent views of the valley and lush, surrounding hills. Just 30 minutes from Durban city centre, Hillcrest is away from the hustle and bustle. The area has a great sense of community, and a mix of country and cosmopolitan lifestyles.

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