Property│Spotlight on upper Walmer
Resident Sharon Mildenhall has lived in Upper Walmer for eight years. What attracted her and her husband to the area was the close proximity to good schools.
“We wanted our children to attend Clarendon Park Primary School, and living in the area gave us the best chance to get them in. Our home is a stone’s throw from the school,” she says.
“We love the tree-lined avenues. The gardens are well-established, as this is an older part of Port Elizabeth, and we get to enjoy the birdlife. The beach is also no more than a 10-minute drive away. And for those who love the outdoors, we have the Settlers Park Nature Reserve right on our doorstep.”
The area itself, which was originally a farm that was later subdivided, has seen some changes over the years. In fact, many of the original properties have been subdivided in recent years, as the original erven were often huge. Many new businesses have opened in the area and some residential properties have become commercially zoned.
While Upper Walmer has a vibey feel, Sharon says it’s very much a family-oriented suburb.
“We have wonderful restaurants and coffee shops, which give it a social vibe, while the number of schools and churches lends a family feel to the area.”
Sharon’s favourite places to hang out include Cobblestone, “for the best carrot cake ever”; The Backroom, a boutique-style “pre-loved” clothing shop, “for a unique look”; and Hullabaloo Interiors, “for great gifts and home decor”.
The properties in this “posh” part of Walmer vary in size – some are historic and others are modern. There are also high-quality townhouse complexes and apartment blocks tucked away.
“There’s a diverse selection of properties out there. Many homes have been modernised and made larger than the original dwellings,” Sharon says.
“When it comes to our house, we loved the large back garden for the kids to play in and the beautiful old wooden floors and high ceilings.”
The sense of community is something the Mildenhalls particularly enjoy about Upper Walmer.
“We have an active community group which highlights any developments, security issues or community projects in the area. Some of the residents have also successfully organised street parties to get to know their neighbours and to create a community feel where we look out for each other.
“Upper Walmer is a really pretty area.”
Property Prices
Upper Walmer is one of Port Elizabeth’s more exclusive suburbs so you can expect to pay in the region of R3,5-million for a typical property such as a four-bedroom house. Rentals would be in the region of R20,000 per month.
Of the residential properties, 44% are houses, 36% apartments or flats and 20% in a complex.
According to statistics provided by Private Property, on a monthly bond for a home with a value of R3,48-million, you’ll pay R34,112 per month based on a bond repayment rate of 10.5% over a period of 20 years.
Dine Out
Bocadillos on Sixth: for delicious pizzas in a friendly atmosphere
Angelos: for fabulous food and service
The Hussar Grill: for succulent steaks
Life with Lemons: for delectable lunches
The Joneses Family Caffe and Bistro: for family-friendly meals
Brioche: for fantastic baked goods
Banneton Bakery and Cafe: for excellent wood-fired bread
Shopping
Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre
Sixth Avenue Shopping Centre
Ninth Avenue Shopping Centre
Walmer Park Shopping Centre
Schools nearby
Clarendon Park Primary School
Theodor Herzl Schools
DF Malherbe High School
Harvest Christian School
