WORDS: LOUISE LIEBENBERG IMAGES: SALVELIO MEYER
Dore and Christo Grobler have lived in Jasmine Avenue for 15 years and share their home with their three children. Dore describes the suburb as excellent and really central. “We enjoy it. We consider it very safe and where we’re situated it’s quiet. It’s also nice to be close to a good shopping centre (Sunridge Village).”
People who live here are friendly and considerate, Dore says. “What I enjoy most is that we’re on the Baakens Valley. It feels like we have our own farm. Some houses have huge gardens, but ours is just manageable.”
Dore says their home security is great. “We’re with Atlas and are very happy.” Sunridge Park had an unfortunate incident earlier in 2019 at one of its retirement homes, when two residents died after being hurt in a robbery. Though tragic, many residents see this as an isolated incident, with security generally very good.
Property
Sunridge Park is mostly made up of older, free-standing homes, many extensively modernised.
It has several retirement complexes. Port Elizabeth property personality Jaco Rademeyer says Sunridge Park began moving from a traditionally middle-class to a more upmarket suburb in the last five years.
“The ceiling for homes is now R4m to R5m, whereas the ceiling always used to be around R2,5m,” Jaco says. “It’s one of the best – if not the best suburb in which to invest, as properties here retain value. As a result homes also sell fast.”
Sunridge Park has virtually no empty residential plots available. People are not afraid to buy old homes here and spend heavily on them, Jaco says.
Annelie Kruger, her husband and two children did just that in Honeysuckle Avenue, two streets from the valley. The “basic” home they bought 22 years ago is unrecognisable today as, thanks to the large erf, the Krugers were able to expand extensively over the years.
“We bought for R215,000 in 1997, and three years ago our house was valued at R3,8m. “They’ll have to carry me out one day,” Annelie says. “This is a home for life.”
Schools
The suburb is home to Sunridge Pre-Primary and Primary, both excellent. Jaco’s sister-in-law, Jana Rademeyer, owns Olke Bolke PreSchool and Aftercare, across the road from Sunridge Primary.
Big Afrikaans high school Framesby, with a well-established academic and sports record, is the nearest high school
Explore
Sunridge Park is contained within the boundary roads of Kragga Kamma Road, Cape Road and Sluysken Avenue, with the Baakens River forming a natural boundary all along the south. Surrounding suburbs are Framesby; Weybridge Park and Fairview across the river; Fernglen and a small corner of Newton Park.
You can hop onto Kragga Kamma Road, and can also access the N2, Cape Road and Circular Drive easily, allowing you to reach most parts of Port Elizabeth with ease.
Sunridge Park feels like a small village in the larger city of Port Elizabeth, and has every facility residents might need JACO RADEMEYER , PROPERTY PERSONALITY
EAT
- Capellini at Sunridge Village has a large menu, ideal for breakfast and lunch.
- San Fernando’s, also at Sunridge Village, does great grills and has wood-fired pizza.
- The Keg & Swan at Sunridge Village has a good range of local and international beers, and other drinks. Their pub lunches are excellent, Dore says.
- Sunridge Village also has numerous fast food and takeaway outlets. Annelie and her children enjoy the Wimpy.
- Shanna’s in nearby Circular Drive serves authentic Portuguese food.
- Guidos in Kragga Kamma Road is popular with families for ribs and pizzas.
DO
- The Baakens River provides fantastic terrain for walking and mountain biking, but it’s best to make up a group for added safety.
- The Londt Park sports club between Sunridge Park and Fernglen offers archery, netball, softball, baseball, tennis and squash. Rugby and soccer are also played. There’s a golf driving range and sports facilities for the disabled.
- Children love the miniature railway, complete with model trains, station, overhead pedestrian bridge and tunnel, off Stella Londt Drive on the first Sunday of the month.
- Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park, on the other side of the freeway in Framesby North, has dodgeball, a foam pit, slam dunk and more.
- Head along Kragga Kamma Road to the Kragga Kamma Game Park, which has rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope.
SHOP
- Sunridge Village in Kragga Kamma Road is a one-stop shopping centre for residents. It has a Spar, Woolworths and Clicks, and numerous smaller shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Mary’s home industry is a landmark at Sunridge Village and sells the best Christmas mince pies in town.
- Baywest Mall is a 10-minute drive thanks to the freeway and the Walker Drive Shopping Centre in Kamma Ridge is also just five minutes away
