Welgedacht in the Northern Suburbs looks onto the majestic Boland Mountains and the patch-work hills and grapevines of the Durbanville Wine Valley.
Driving its streets you may well feel as if you aren't in Cape Town anymore and have escaped into another world.
The upmarket suburb is host to a number of security estates which offer safe living without compromising on quality of life. One of the largest is the expansive Welgedacht Estate, which hosts properties that are impressive in size and personalised style. You can meander along the rolling lawns and scenic pathways with your children and pets, and the parks and duck ponds make you feel at one with nature.
Other estates in this area include the Kanonberg Lifestyle Estate, Oude Westhof, Van Riebeeckshof and Protea Valley.
If you're a keen golfer, the Bellville Golf Club is only five minutes away, and Durbanville Golf Club is less than a 20-minute drive. There is also a nearby squash and tennis club.
The suburb neighbours the exquisite Tygerberg Nature Reserve and the Maijk Forest, which offer a range of activities for the whole family. These include cycling paths and walking trails that allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounds.
A two-bedroom cottage in this peaceful, green suburb might cost you R2,6m, while a five-bedroom family home on a 2,300m2 property could go for R13,5m. Investing in this area has seen a wonderful return in the recent past, with certain property values growing by an average of 20% year on year. The limited availability and the high demand for luxurious security estate living has made this a highly sought after location.
For essential amenities, the van Riebeekshof Shopping Centre provides a Superspar as well as the Welmed Medical Centre, which houses a physiotherapist, dentist, medical doctor and mother care services. In addition, there are extensive health-care facilities and shopping centres within easy reach in Panorama, Plattekloof and Durbanville.
The suburb has access to Tygerburg Valley Road and De Bron Road which lead into the Durbanville Wine Valley route. Getting onto the N1 to Paarl or Cape Town will only take 10 minutes. This truly is a beautifully landscaped green belt where the sense of community allows for a peaceful upbringing for your children within a beautiful suburb that provides a different view of Cape Town altogether.
“I have lived in Welgedacht Estate for over 15 years and I won't ever leave. The peace of mind and feeling of relaxation is what makes it for me. I have three children who have been able to grow up living outdoors and walking around the secure streets alongside their friends. To not worry about my family's safety is priceless. I love the Southern Suburbs, I love the city, I love the V&A Waterfront, but I absolutely love coming back home to Welgedacht.” Teresa Fourie, resident.
Best in food:
- Arugula Bistro and Bread
- Restaurants at Tyger Waterfront
- The Hollow Tree
- Cattle Baron
Schools
- Welgemoed Pre-Primary and Primary schools
- Laerskool Welgedag
- Kenridge Primary School
- Hoerskool DF Malan
- Durbanville High and Primary schools
- Fairmont High School
- Kido Kids College
Top tip:
If your children are attending schools in the Southern Suburbs, Paarl or Stellenbosch, there is a shuttle service that will transport them.
Things to do:
- Bellville Golf Club
- Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club
- Welgemoed Tennis Club
- Tygerberg Nature Reserve
- Majik Forest
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
