As a ‘townie’, who has lived in various rentals around the Cape Town CBD over the past five years, my idea of what constitutes a spacious home has become rather warped.

I see a listing with more than 100 square metres and I think to myself ‘ooooh, how roomy’, before baulking at the price.

If you’ve looked around at CBD properties, you’ll know the emotional struggle of seeing a two-bedroom apartment, with less than 100 square metres to dabble with, going for R5 million.

I’m not even singling that one above out, because you’ll find countless listings at a similar price range.

Out in the ‘burbs, it’s a very different story, so I thought I’d have a look at what five bar buys these days.

This four-bedroom house in Rosebank, listed on Chas Everitt, is actually going for R5,1 million, but what caught my eye was the plot size – 773 square metres. Stop it.

Let’s see what else this gem has going for it:

The original house was built in 1925 and still has original features, including high ceilings, wooden floors and leaded windows.

The pretty entrance leads you to the large living room, which is in the heart of the home with an enclosed anthracite heater. There is a separate study, another dining room and family room.

There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The main bedroom has a bathroom en-suite. This versatile home lends itself to dual living or an option for an income-generating flatlet with a separate entrance.

10 points if you spotted the cat in the image above before reading this line. Rumour has it the feline will set you back an additional R100 000.

The house is north-facing and leads onto a sunny, and established garden with a salt chlorinated pool. The garden also has a private reading nook, tucked away where you can enjoy the sound of the birds in a peaceful surrounding.

You know you’re living in the ‘burbs when you hear actual birdsong in the morning, as opposed to the CBD sounds of sirens, traffic, hooters, jackhammers, and one errant hadeda that has decided to take up residence on a lamppost outside the window.

There’s always one – just ask Pharrell Williams.

The home is also in a prime position for many of the Southern Suburbs’ leading schools, UCT, hospitals, and Rondebosch Common, which I’ve heard is the area’s equivalent of the Sea Point Promenade

Activewear and expensive dog breeds abound.

A few more snaps from the listing:

Look at that, a genuine study.

In Cape Town CBD parlance, a study usually means a corner where you can just about squeeze a desk in, and you’re really winning if you have any semblance of privacy.

You can see the rest of the Rosebank listing here.

[source:chaseveritt]