WORDS: EMILY SHAW | IMAGES: TER HOLLMANN & GOOGLE MAPS
Randpark Ridge is a relatively new suburb, having been built in the 1980s, but is also home to the oldest brick house in Joburg – the remains of the manor house of Boschkop Farm from 1860.
With extended family in residence for 30 years, HR manager Catherine Muller and her own brood moved back to Randpark Ridge in 2014. “Some of the main reasons we moved here was for public school zoning and for easy access to work, but since being back, we’ve found many other great reasons to raise a family here,” she says.
According to Catherine, Randpark Ridge generally is a well looked after suburb, peppered with lovely parks for dog walking and kiddie play dates, pretty walking paths and the convenience of shops close by.
At around 14km to Sandton, traffic can be a little testing during the week, but the mere 6km drive to the Boschkop Municipal Nature Reserve – which is an excellent fishing destination – makes up for it.
Property
Property prices differ vastly in the area as there’s a wide variety of housing – from apartments to secure complexes to generous family stands. As Catherine affirms, many people who do buy larger properties here tend to stay for a number of decades – and their kids often return with their own children.
If starting and raising a family is the season of life you’re in, Randpark Ridge might just be the right choice for you. From the convenience of practical shops nearby, the number of parks and green lungs for tiring out little ones, to the close feeling of nature, the proximity to town and the bonding feeling of togetherness, it’s a rather lovely place to grow up.
Schools
As a family-oriented area, schools are important. There are a number of great public and private options for parents and many cater to the child’s full school career.
Trinityhouse is a Christian private school educating children from preparatory school right through to matric. The curriculum focusses on five core global competencies the school feels will best prepare the students – thinking skills, research skills, communication skills, social skills, and self-management skills.
Avenir Private School is another great option for primary school children only and little ones can attend Pitter Patter Montessori. From a public school perspective, Rand Park Primary and Rand Park High School are excellent options and have had impressive matric results as well as cultural efforts and outreach programmes.
Explore
There’s plenty to do in and around Randpark Ridge and a lot of it focusses on making use of the beautiful farm-like surrounds. Randpark Golf Club boasts some of the best manicured greens in the country, as well as a modern clubhouse and dining options.
If the sport of golf doesn’t interest you much, you can indulge in massages, facials and the like at the club’s spa, following up your treatment with lunch overlooking the course. For your furry friends there are plenty of parks for exercise and fresh air – Essenhout Park is one of the firm favourites and is a great place for a Sunday afternoon ramble.
“This suburb is full of a great mix of people and it shows in how proactive community security is here,” says Catherine. And that community spirit can be seen all over the area. Baby Go Round, for example, is a clever little store that buys and sells gently used baby items. Not only is this great for the budget and the environment, but it’s also a supportive way for young mums to connect in the community.
In addition, the Randpark Ridge Village Association is a thorough and practical body to which residents can join that keeps everyone updated on pressing suburb matters.
Randpark Ridge has been home to my family for years and is now home to my own kids. It’s the most wonderful place to raise your family.
CATHERINE MULLER, RESIDENT
SHOPPING
- Rand Ridge Mall: super comprehensive mall including a Pick n Pay
- Summerfields Centre: convenience shopping along with the local bike shop
- Randpark Hair and Beauty: everything from haircuts to mani-pedis
PLAY
- Emmarentia Dam: great for bike riding and duck feeding
- Lifestyle Garden Centre: choose a new bloom while the kids play
- Randpark Golf Club: play two of the best manicured courses in South Africa
EAT
- Tony’s Spaghetti Grill: classic Italian on a large terrace
- Piza e Vino: excellent weekly specials
- Nikos: try the skinny lamb chops
