‘Friendly City’ lures inland residents

Lifestyle choices and technical advances are having a dramatic effect on where people who want it all live and work. Lea Jacobs reports

MODERN technology has changed the way that many of us conduct our business. Outof-office no longer means out of touch given the Apps available, advances in cellphone technology and, of course, the internet.

In years gone by, it would have been all but impossible for a busy executive to live a fair distance from his business interests. However, these days Skype can and often does replace the need for face-to-face meetings, e-mail can deliver important documents in seconds and cellphones ensure everyone is always connected.

So how is all this technology affecting the way some of us work and live? The fact that many no longer have to be at work to get things done has led to many rethinking their lifestyles. Just because you work in Johannesburg or any of the other major cities dotted around SA doesn’t mean you have to live there. There is a new trend emerging and many executives and those not bound by set office hours are choosing to live far away from their workplaces. There are also those who, while continuing to work in the city from Monday to Friday, have chosen to move their families to quieter, more pleasant areas across the country and who commute to the workplace. Coastal areas in particular seem to be popular, given that these areas offer great lifestyles and traditionally have lower crime rates.

“We are seeing growing interest in the ‘Friendly City’ among Gauteng residents in particular, who are drawn to this appealing way of life without forgoing their income potential,” says Ian Olivier, area principal of Pam Golding Properties in Port Elizabeth. One may describe this as a form of “semigration”, a South Africanism typically used to describe the relocation of both home and work from a major economic hub to a smaller, quieter enclave. However, this trend can include moving one’s family home while continuing to work in the big city.

“This is probably the most viable means of upgrading quality of life without compromising on earning ability,” he says, pointing out that the city’s beautiful beaches, temperate sea waters, subtropical climate and proximity to a host of malaria-free nature reserves are the major lures for Gauteng residents craving a coastal lifestyle in a relatively secure environment.

He says that workplace com- muting between Port Elizabeth and Gauteng is feasible considering flying time between the cities is only about 90 minutes. “When you consider how much time and money Gauteng residents spend commuting to work and back every day, this is a financially viable alternative for some.”

Another reason for big city dwellers to relocate to Port Elizabeth is the convenience aspect. “Locals have long called it the 10minute city because it takes 10 minutes to drive anywhere in the city centre,” he explains. “Even making allowance for increased traffic levels in the last couple of years, it’s a quarter of an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth Airport to the business areas in Central, Walmer and Summerstrand.”

These, along with Port Elizabeth’s comparative brick and mortar value — even at the top end of its real estate market — are the reasons given by those looking to acquire two of his company’s most exclusive listings, he says. One of the homes, a presidential doublestorey on more than an acre of land in Walmer’s prime upper avenues, is shortlisted by a buyer who intends establishing it as his family home from which he will commute to work and back in Gauteng during the week.

“Another Gauteng buyer is planning to relocate both home and business to Port Elizabeth on the back of the growth of the Coega Industrial Development Zone, which has reportedly injected more than R1.2bn into the Eastern Cape construction industry and created 2,500 jobs since the beginning of the year,” he says, adding that there is huge scope for economic growth in Port Elizabeth, not least of which is Coega where projects worth more than R124bn are being negotiated.

“At an ambassadorial level, there are some fabulous homes to choose from, including a recently listed contemporary style, slateroof mansion in Walmer’s highly prized upper avenues.”

Private and secure, Olivier says the magnificent double-storey ( has been home to an international business family for the past five years. Designed by Wayne Landale, one of SA’s leading architects, the home features world-class fittings throughout.

Set in half an acre of walled, manicured gardens complete with a putting green, swimming pool, floodlit tennis court and solariumstyle guesthouse, the property impresses from the road. Access is via an outsized pedestrian entrance and triple automated garage, which leads into a doublevolume entrance hall. This is the gateway to the vast, six-room living area which is flanked by stacking doors that fold away for summertime entertaining on a grand scale. In addition to a fully-fitted bar and premium-brand cordon bleu kitchen with separate scullery, the property also includes a customised poolside Teppanyaki kitchen and informal dining area with built-in barbeque, as well as a lavish two bathroom guest suite with beautiful views of the garden.

Night lighting creates a spectacular environment for entertaining, while during the day the garden is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Accommodation in the main house comprises four spacious bedrooms, two of which are en suite, while the others share a beautiful family bathroom. The main bedroom wing has a walk-in dressing room, his-and-hers studies, lounge, balcony and an ultraluxurious bathroom.

A separate security and telecommunications room provides high-speed ADSL lines and a network consisting of a Cisco router and multiple Apple airport wireless points for reliable wireless communication. Along with its hi-tech security system the home also offers state-of-the-art fitted appliances, underfloor heating, domestic quarters, guest toilet and an irrigation system.

There’s also a gymnasium with quality imported gym equipment included in the asking price.

The property is close to top schools such as Grey, and the prestigious private boarding schools of Grahamstown such as DSG, St Andrews and Kingswood aren’t far away. The owners say the property provides a luxurious, relaxing environment ideally suited to hosting school boarders at halfterm and during school holidays.

“This is a home for the discerning buyer, on a par with the finest properties in the country. However, at R10.9m, it’s considerably more competitively priced than comparable homes in many other exclusive suburbs in SA. What’s more, the owners, who are returning to live in the US, have expressed their willingness to negotiate the sale of some exclusive imported American and Italian furniture,” says Olivier. Contact: Pam Golding Properties Ian Olivier 083 650 2913 Office 021 6837788