What makes one estate more exclusive than another?

Looking at where South Africa’s wealthiest people choose to live and work, AfrAsia Bank released its latest wealth report, explains Business Tech:

The wealth statistics are taken from New World Wealth’s in-house high net worth individuals (HNWI) database, which comprises dossiers on over 150,000 HNWIs from around the world.

While the report found what we know already – the most affluent areas ranging from the Jozi suburbs of Sandhurst and Hyde Park, to the Cape’s Bishopscourt, Clifton and Camps Bay – it also discovered that an “increasing number of South Africa’s HNWI’s were choosing to live in gated communities and estates”:

These estates allow these wealthy individuals to enjoy traditional ‘luxury’ activities such as golf, horse riding and tennis in a community setting, surrounded by state-of-the-art security.

Of course horse riding, along with that Hermes saddle.

The report set out the most exclusive estates in the country, elements which determined the list include:

• Security – access gate, private security personnel.
• Activities – gym, swimming pool, golf, horse riding, polo, tennis.
• Facilities – shops, offices, parks, gathering places, children playgrounds, schools, hospitals.
• Quality and design of houses.
• Space – average stand size and placing / spacing of houses.
• Views, scenery and wildlife.
• Resale and price growth potential.

With 16 estates in total, here are five found in the Cape:

Val de Vie

From R2,9 to R24,9 million
Median price – R3,3 million

Surrounded by three mountain ranges, Val die Vie based in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley is known for it’s state-of-the-art security features, and boasts itself as one of the gastronomical capitals of South Africa.

Pearl Valley

From R3 to R15 million
Median price – R2,7million

One of the many estates situated in Paarl in the Western Cape, Pearl Valley stands out for its close location to Stellenbosch, restaurants and bars as well as the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Steenberg

From R8,5 to R22,5 million
Median price – R18,4 million

Based in the Constantia Valley, Steenberg offers access to one of South Africa’s top three golf courses as well as the world-renowned Catharina’s Restaurant.

Silverhurst

From R18,5 to R65 million
Median price – N/A

Offering a number of villas on the Steenberg mountains, Silverhurst is situated within walking distance of the Constantia mall as well as a short trip from Kirstenbosch gardens. It also offers some of the oldest and famed schools in the country with both Bishops and Herschel nearby.

Erinvale

From R5 to R22 million
Median price – R9,4 million

Aside from being a golfer’s dream, Erinvale Golfing Estate offers property for sale that provides a safe and secure environment, perfectly suited to raising a family. Expect views of rolling winelands and the majestic Helderberg range on a typical walk around the estate. Erinvale Golfing Estate property includes club house access. Polo, croquet and lawn bowling clubs are conveniently located nearby.

And here I am thinking the best things about private estates are the empty, smooth roads ideal for skateboarding.

[source: businesstech]