Things are moving in Milnerton

Situated 15 km north of Cape Town, the suburb of Milnerton currently houses an estimated 15,000 people. This figure is significantly higher than the 3,400 strong community as indicated by the 2001 Census – largely due to the construction boom surrounding the old Milnerton Racecourse – which is now a large, multi-faceted residential development called Royal Ascot.

The area is a veritable Eden for nature and sports lovers who come for the surf, kite surfing and sailing at the Rietvlei Wetland Reserve or canoeing in the Milnerton Lagoon. Milnerton alone boasts tennis, bowls, rugby, rowing, squash and hockey clubs. The area is also home to the Milnerton Golf Course which is the only true links course in the Western Cape. There are cycle lanes running along the R27 which makes for a scenic route along the lagoon. Then of course there is Woodbridge Island which is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The pedestrian bridge was constructed in 1901 and is a national monument today.  

Whilst the atmosphere is more relaxed the suburb is still close enough to Cape Town to commute and has all the necessary amenities: it’s close to the Century City shopping mall as well as 5 other shopping centres, various primary and secondary schools as well as three hospitals and a clinic.  

Lightstone data indicates that the area’s becoming a magnet for younger people with most recent buyers being under the age of 35. The majority of residential properties are freeholds which might explain the appeal, that and the fact that these larger properties are very well priced.

Freehold property prices average at R1,7 million and sectional titles at R667, 000 which are far more reasonable than asking prices in Cape Town itself. All in all it’s an ideal location to start, and raise, a family in with its more relaxed atmosphere, plethora of outdoor activities and all the necessary amenities. Figures indicate that the majority of home owners remain in the area for 11 years or more.    

“Many of our buyers tend to move around within the area,” says Tracy Stephenson, Co-Prinicpal of Leapfrog Milnerton. “We find that the varied types of accommodation available often play a role in our buyers becoming our sellers as there is enough of a selection to allow residents to upgrade. Typically cross-purchasing occurs between Milnerton Proper and Woodbridge Island, Royal Ascot and Sunset Links”.

The main drawback to date has been for residents commuting between Milnerton and Cape Town: the area is connected to town via the Koeberg Road M5 and the Otto du Plessis Drive R27 which are normally subject to heavy traffic congestion. Today things are moving in the area, specifically people; due to the completion of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) systems (Milnerton alone has 5 stops) as well as the 2010 Koeberg Road Interchange project that has now concluded. Whilst listening to comments from callers on Cape Talk indicates that traffic in Cape Town is still generally a problem these changes relating to Milnerton are definitely lessening the load, and will continue to do so as more residents start using the world class BRT system.