Second-tier cities – like George in the Eastern Cape, Bloemfontein in the Free State, Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, and Polokwane in Limpopo – have become increasingly popular with South Africans on the move. Moving out of Cape Town or Johannesburg and into one of these new boom towns is no longer considered “trading down”. On the contrary, many are leaving the large metropoles behind and choosing to put down roots in second-tier cities where house prices are less likely to break the bank.
Port Elizabeth – the friendly city with a big heart – is an excellent case in point, according to Johan Barnard, Operations Manager at Westbrook Country Estate, PE’s latest and largest residential mega-estate. He claims that secure lifestyle estates like Westbrook have gained in popularity in recent years, because they offer exceptional value for money and deliver great return on investment. A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in River Dale, the second of nine residential villages within Westbrook, costs around R 1.7million, where equitable real estate would cost 3 or 4 times as much in Cape Town or Johannesburg.
PE has a lot going for it. There are a number of top-rated schools, including Grey and Collegiate Colleges, Sunridge, Greenwood and Clarendon Park Primary. The beaches are pristine and water sports are available all year round thanks to PE’s balmy climate. The City has also experienced an explosion on the culinary front, with many new eateries opening over the past few years. Hot spots for foodies include the Food Studio, Savage’s Fine Food and Grass Roof.
Not only are homes more affordable in PE, but you get a lot more bang for your buck. There’s less densification so homes and plots are generally bigger while land and construction costs are lower, so you can afford to spend a bit more on upmarket fixtures, finishes, and furnishings.
Living in a luxury residential estate like Westbrook offers an incomparable quality of life. You’ll benefit from lock up and go convenience while enjoying access to a range of resort-style recreational and sporting facilities right on your doorstep. Imagine family living at its most wholesome, in a multi-generational village where children can walk to school, where dog walkers and cyclists can enjoy the great outdoors, where neighbors become friends.
State-of-the-art security comes standard at Westbrook, so you’ll enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that your home and family are safe and secure, day and night. Security measures include biometric access control, electrified perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras; guarded gatehouses manned by highly trained security personnel; 24-hour foot, bike and vehicular patrols Rapid Response.
In PE there’s the added benefit of space – lots of it. Westbrook is set on 128hectares of lush parkland of wide-open grassland teeming with birds and indigenous plant life, so residents get to live close to nature and enjoy all the mental and physical benefits associated with country living. The estate is crisscrossed by parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, footpaths and cycling tracks making it ideal for young professionals, fitness fanatics, outdoor enthusiasts and families with children.
Unlike larger metropoles, 2nd tier cities like Port Elizabeth are smaller and therefore easier to navigate. There’s no need for long commutes in heavy traffic to get from A to B. Westbrook is located just off Old Cape Road on the City’s south-western boundary, providing easy access to the CBD, regional shopping malls, beaches and visitor attractions. Not that you’ll ever need to venture too far from home, because the completed development will have its own town centre with shops, restaurants, offices, and health clubs, a Curro Private school, and an Evergreen Retirement village. A home at Westbrook truly does allow you to live, learn, work, play, and even retire within a supremely safe and secure lifestyle estate.
PE is ideal for young couples, first-time buyers, families, and empty nesters who want to enjoy a relaxed, coastal lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of other big cities. The friendly city boasts all the big-city amenities at prices considerably lower than larger metros in the country, and initiatives like the nearby Coega Industrial Development Zone and government incentives introduced by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality are driving rental demand, making them a good prospect for property investors too.
