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Set in the coastal heart
of sunny South Africa, East London has much to offer. A city with a
small town friendly atmosphere, where the people are proud to say "wamkelekile"
or welcome. It boasts a port that is becoming known as the vehicle
terminal of South Africa and indeed Africa. The city is the home of the
prestigious "C" class Mercedes-Benz with exports to all continents of the
world making it a key player in the global automotive industry.
To show all of this off, East London is set on a spectacular coastline
washed by the warm Indian Ocean current. It is the gateway to malaria free
game reserves and farms. The mountainous Hogsback region is on our
doorstep with the only snow-skiing resort in South Africa being within
easy reach at Rhodes. Added to this we have the spectacular Wild Coast on
our doorstep. A combination of dramatic cliffs, magical lagoon views and
exclusive beaches - undeveloped and waiting to be discovered.
All this is enjoyed in the temperate climate that stretches all year long.
The following suburbs are areas in this lovely city in which we
specialize: (in no particular order) Berea,
Baysville and
Baysville Extension, Stirling,
Selborne, Bunkers Hill,
Nahoon (including Nahoon Mouth and Woodleigh),
Vincent, Vincent Heights, and
Beacon Bay which includes
Bonza Bay and Blue Bend. Each area has its own character and
individual appeal.
Gonubie, is not strictly speaking a suburb of the city, however we
have included this area as many people who live there, work in East London
and their children attend one of the cities excellent schools.
Berea, an older suburb of East London,Stirling schools
(co-ed) lie within close proximity to the neighbourhood. A number of the
streets are also within walking distance of Selborne Primary.
A large number of the homes in Baysville were built after the
second world war when plots were sold cheaply to the returning service
men. Those houses in Baysville Extension date from around the late
sixties onwards as this area was only 'opened up' for development at about
this period. Grens High School is to be found in Baysville Extension
and is one of the leading Afrikaans schools in the area.
Stirling is also an older suburb and has Stirling High and Primary
Schools (also co-ed). A newer section of Stirling known as Stirling
Extension lies on the borders of the road leading to Nahoon Beach, a
well-known surfing and recreational spot. The Nutting Hall is a badminton
facility found within this good family suburb.
Bunkers Hill is a well-established 'older' suburb and offers a
variety of outdoor activities including the East London Golf course - the
venue of international challenges. It also boasts an astro hockey field, a
favourite location for tournaments. The suburb is fairly central and well
located in relation to both the primary and high Stirling schools. Many of
the homes are gracious and grand with large proportions and set in matured
treed gardens. John Bailey road leading from Bunkers Hill to the Eastern
beach has a number of houses with sea and harbour entrance views
Situated a mere five minute walk from the exquisite and pristine Nahoon
Beach lies this popular area offering a leisured lifestyle. Nahoon,
Nahoon Mouth and Woodleigh are, because of their close
proximity to each other, sometimes simply called Nahoon.
A number
of streets which, because of perhaps the view, or the proximity to the
beach, are very desirable. An example of this of this would be Harewood
Drive or Rosyth road. Prices here vary considerable depending on the
individual property and could be anything from ZAR800 000 to ZAR4 000 000 plus. An exciting new development in the Tuscany style has recently been
built in this area and offers wonderful views of the Nahoon River.
Bonnie Doon, a well located area with good restaurants, convenient
shops and in close proximity to major schools. Some homes have stunning
views of the Nahoon River and offer optimum investment. The houses in
Torquay Road are usually well over R1 million, as they lie on the banks of
the Nahoon River with all the amenities which that offers. However, there
are a number of streets in Bonnie Doon in which homes in an affordable price range are to be found.These are within walking distance of
Hudson Park High and Primary schools. Hudson Park is renowned for its
music department and water polo teams.
Whether the suburb of Selborne derived its name from its close
proximity to Selborne college, or the other way around is debatable. This
government school is one of the top in the country, with a proud rugby
tradition and academic record. Clarendon is a girls school located in this
area and places emphasis on the academic curriculum. Selborne is an
older area with a large number of gracious homes with beautiful pressed
iron ceilings and glowing wooden floors.
Out of all the suburbs mentioned, Selborne is the closest to the
CBD (central business district) but also offers relatively easy access to
the alternative shopping area of Vincent/Balfour Park. The East London
Technical College is found within this area together with the Museum and
Guild Theatre, catering for the cultural needs of the community.
In close proximity to Selborne and Berea, is a seven year
old residential development called "The Quarry." Built around a lake are
Victorian styled homes. This exclusive development boasts tennis courts,
bass fishing, excellent security and a 'lock up and go' lifestyle.
Vincent is also an older area with Port Rex, a technical high
school and Hudson Park within it's confines. Prices vary considerable
according to the individual property.
Bordering on Vincent is Vincent Heights a new area with winding
roads between wooded valleys and hills. Upmarket homes are afforded
privacy with pretty views of the countryside. Prices range from
approximately ZAR1 000 000 upwards. There are still a number of undeveloped
plots available for the individual wishing to build.
Beacon Bay (encompassing Bonza Bay and Blue Bend) is
situated on the gentle undulating hills between the Nahoon and Quinera
Rivers. A newer area of East London with many homes that overlook these
estuaries and some even with river frontage. A suburb with wide streets
set within the beauty of indigenous coastal bush and has birdlife in
abundance. It also boasts a primary and high school together with
Merryfield a relatively newly established private school.
Situated a mere 20 minute drive from the center of East London is
Gonubie. What started out as a small holiday village not so many years
ago is now a bustling city in it's own right.With its pristine beach and boardwalk
it attracts both first time buyers and the retiring gentleman.
The new home owner finds that prices there (in some streets), may be more
affordable than town.
A number of lovely home have been built on the banks of the Gonubie
estuary and a particularly well located townhouse complex on the sea -
literally feel the spray on your fact type of setting! The Gonubie school
is primary only so older children would have to commute.
Generally, one of the unusual features of East London, is the fact that
many of the suburbs have a number of streets in which the houses fetch
much higher prices than their surrounds.
All in all a wonderful place to live, bring up children and enjoy la dolce
vita!
If you are thinking of moving to East London and would like to be shown
some family homes in our city by the area specialists, please call
Graham on 076 193 9015, or
Jill on 083 321 1980.
Click
here to view a large map of the East London suburbs in which we
specialise.
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