Getting your child into a good school in Johannesburg is only part of the problem. The next is finding somewhere to live that’s close to that school, so that you don’t spend hours in traffic every day. For this reason, suburbs which are home to top schools can be priced up to 40% higher than suburbs where the schools are further away – according to a recent press release from Seeff.
Holy Rosary
David Ingle: managing director: Seeff Bedfordview and Edenvale says that in Elma Park where Holy Rosary is situated, prices are 30% to 40% higher than in adjacent Edenvale Avenues. “St Andrews is situated in the leafy suburb of Senderwood where prices are 15% to 20% higher than across the road in the St Andrews suburb,” he comments.
The migration to Bedfordview
Gerald Latré, an estate agent for Pam Golding in Bedfordview, says he’s noticed a recent trend where families from Alberton and Benoni are moving into Bedfordview in order to be closer to schools such as St Andrews, St Benedicts and Holy Rosary. “They’re tired of sitting in traffic all day and are trying to reduce their commuting time,” says Gerald.
Randburg also has some very popular schools and if you live in the suburb you’re lucky to be situated within the inner ring road, so you’ll spend less time fighting highway traffic during school drop offs and pick ups. Tony Ketcher, managing director: Seeff Randburg, says that Afrikaans schools in the Randburg area like Linden High and Louw Geldenhuys Primary school are especially popular and so he sees a strong demand for properties close to them.
What property owners say
Natalie Gordon, a mom of three, who recently bought a home in Hurlingham, says that being close to good schools in Sandton was an integral part of their purchasing decision. “We were willing to pay slightly more for our property in order to make our daily commute to school easier,” she says.
As traffic congestion seems to worsen, it appears that close proximity to top schools will continue to be a pricing factor in properties both to rent and to buy.
Words: Belinda Mountain
Images: Supplied
