Couple hit home run after ‘sacrificing’ seaboard

SENIOR account director Nicole Williams, 28 and her fiancé, operations and purchasing manager Rikki da Silva, 29, left their popular Sea Point address in February and became the owners of a new home in the leafy suburb of Newlands.

After living on the Atlantic seaboard in a one-bedroom lock-up-and-go apartment for seven years, they found themselves longing for more space and the freedom that a house offers.

The couple, along with their growing brood of beloved Pomeranians, began to find the limited space challenging.

“We started looking at properties about four years ago within the Atlantic seaboard and City Bowl areas. We just couldn’t find anywhere that ticked our (many, many) boxes,” says Williams.

“We had a clear vision of the space we were looking for. We would view an amazing place, but it wouldn’t have parking, or a beautiful home but with limited outdoor space.

“In the end, ‘ sacrificing’ the Atlantic seaboard address for Newlands (an area we had always liked) was an easy decision, especially after we’d viewed and fallen in love with our home.

“We love entertaining, and our new home has allowed us to have large dining areas both inside and outside.

“Having friends over for festive lunches which go on well into the evening is one of our favourite things to do and something we can now do regularly.”

When asked about the downside to living in the suburbs, the couple admitted they find themselves driving or catching an Uber countless times in a week to visit their favourite restaurants and bars in the CBD. However, they say it is worth the hassle as they no longer need to worry about body corporate and strict rules that accompany living in an apartment block.

“And going away for a weekend or long overseas trip is (still) as simple as locking the front door,” they say.

Rikki da Silva and Nicole Williams looked at many homes before buying in Newlands.