Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
MOVE FAST DEMAND FOR SLOW LIVING
More people are leaving the hustle and bustle of cities for the peace and pleasures provided far out of town
“CONVENIENCE”, “proximity” and “easy access” are the “in” phrases associated with property today as people look to live closer to work and school, and minimise time spent in daily traffic.
There are, however, those who give up the convenience of live-workplay precincts and homes in centrally located areas in return for more tranquil surroundings and a slower pace of living further away.
And not all are retirees.
“The move away from the urban hustle and bustle has been a growing trend for a number of years, especially for families with schoolchildren who have to be taken to school daily and driven around to an array of activities,” says Chris Cilliers, chief executive and principal for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in the Winelands.
Growing traffic congestion and noise pollution and an ever-increasing pace of life, are driving this move to more tranquil areas where she says families have a variety of outdoor activities on their doorsteps such as cycling and hiking, wine farms and markets.
This trend of living away from it all is also growing in Joburg, says Yael Geffen, chief executive of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, who says families are choosing lifestyle living with either home schooling or local area schools for their children.
But this would only really “make sense” for people with a more flexible schedule who can work remotely, or commute. It is not as appealing for those who have 9am to 5pm jobs and are office-bound.
“Those families would rather invest in a second property for weekends away such as at the Vaal River, Hartbeespoort, Velgewonden, Magaliesberg and Waterberg.”
Those who can make a permanent move do so to enjoy bigger living space in more tranquil surroundings away from the city where they can more easily indulge in their hobbies or sports, most of which are nature and outdoor driven, she says.
Although Bloemfontein is not as developed as other metros, about 8% of buyers there look to live away from the busyness of city life in areas such as Quaggafontein, Beinsvlei and Groenvlei, says Pano Joannides, franchisee for Century 21.
Those people who make this choice do so for a slower pace of living and less noise pollution.
However, they often still drive to take their children to school and commute to work as Bloemfontein does not yet have excessive traffic issues.
Properties further out of the city are more expensive due to the much bigger erf sizes, Joannides says.
Lifestyle properties are increasingly in demand, agrees Jeremy Barnes, regional manager of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate in the South Peninsula.
“This demand stems from professionals who are able to work remotely and only have to travel to present the finished product. In this case, commuting would primarily take place to fulfil schooling requirements.”
Such moves facilitate a wholesome lifestyle away from the rush of the city, Barnes says.
“Those choosing to make these moves are firm advocates of work-life balance, and these areas offer them all of that and more in abundance.”