This suburb is especially popular with young professionals drawn to the area by the central location, shopping, entertainment and transport links.
Illovo, centrally located close to Sandton and Rosebank, boasts a prominent business precinct with an established infrastructure and high-quality tenant profile, including a number of top financial services companies.
Estate agents working in Illovo find that the suburb is especially attractive to young professionals, as it offers a broad selection of sectional-title homes within a vibrant community where residents enjoy the convenience of having various amenities literally on their doorsteps, and an easy commute to work.
For nearly two years, Illovo has been home to Jolene van Heerden and her housemate Christiaan. Jolene says it’s easy to get to areas like Rosebank, Sandton and Hyde Park where a number of restaurants are found, and there’s plenty to do in and around the suburb.
“It’s a really great neighbourhood for people of all ages and my neighbours consist of young adults, small families, as well as retirees,” she adds.
Illovo is easily accessible via public transport and there’s even a Gautrain bus running through the suburb. The area is also home to top-quality malls, including Thrupps Illovo Centre, Hyde Park Corner, Rosebank Mall and Sandton City, making it easy for Jolene to do her shopping whenever she chooses to.
On weekends, she and Christiaan usually like to go out for drinks or dinner, and they also try to take the dog for a walk around the neighbourhood on Sundays. If they have guests from overseas, their go-to spot is Moyo in Melrose Arch or Zoo Lake for traditional South African food. They also enjoy taking friends for dinner and drinks to the Great Burger Company, The Griffin and Hogshead, because it’s so close by.
Sports lovers, foodies, creatives, entrepreneurs and business people will find themselves in good company in Illovo. The area is vibrant and well-located, offering a great lifestyle to people of all ages.
Illovo is a relatively safe community compared to a lot of other areas in Johannesburg which makes it great for walking or running
-Jolene van Heerden, resident.
Eating out in Illovo:
- Crumbs and Cream: for sweet treats
- Great Burger Company: for amazing cocktails, burgers and cheese fries
- Nonna’s Italian Food Bar in Sandton City
- Perron: for authentic Mexican cuisine
- Trabella Pizzeria: for fantastic pizzas
- Ferguson's Fifth Floor: for delicious lunches with a view
Attractions near Illovo:
- Bidvest Wanderers Stadium
- Check out the art scene in galleries close-by
- Goliath Comedy Club in Melrose Arch
- James and Ethel Gray Park for picnics
- Zoo Lake
Schools near Illovo:
- Fairways Primary School
- GIBS Business School
- Rosebank Primary School
- Rosebank Mercy Covenant
- St David's Marist
- St Teresa's School
- St Vincent School for the Deaf
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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