As far as Cape Town suburbs go, Welgemoed may not be the oldest, but its 50 years’ existence has seen it become one of the most well-established and exclusive neighborhoods in the north. Originally regarded as a predominantly Afrikaans area, its spacious stands, tree-lined streets, panoramic views and excellent dual-medium schools are now highly sought after by a wide variety of both local and international buyers.
“There are a lot of reasons why more and more people are looking to buy property in Welgemoed,” says Ronell Young, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for the area, “but I think the main attraction is always going to be the amazing cost-to-value ratio we have here. You get a lot more for your money than similar suburbs in other parts of Cape Town without sacrificing on lifestyle at all.”
The Welgemoed lifestyle is idyllic, offering plenty of space and tranquillity in a gorgeous, leafy setting, nestled on rolling slopes that offer views all the way to the Hottentots Holland mountain range and Gordon’s Bay. The neighbouring Tygerberg Nature Reserve provides hiking and birding enthusiasts with a paradise on their doorstep, while young ones have numerous neighbourhood parks in which to safely enjoy the outdoors while their parents take a run around the tree-lined block.
Far more than just a nature retreat, however, Welgemoed also offers all the modern conveniences, including sports and recreation clubs, quality restaurants, a pristine 18-hole golf-course, grocery stores, crèches, primary and senior schools, and easy access to some of Cape Town’s best shopping malls. There are also CCTV systems and active security patrols in the area for residents’ peace of mind.
“Welgemoed is sometimes compared to suburbs like Constantia,” says Young, “because of similar amenities and an outdoorsy lifestyle that people enjoy here. We’re also located almost equidistant from Cape Town’s CBD, and have comparably large, family-friendly properties available.”
Just like the Southern Suburbs, Welgemoed also boasts a wide variety of property styles, ranging from modern contemporary, to Tuscan villa and traditional gentleman’s estates. Plot sizes start around 800m2 and head all the way up to 3000m2 and more.
“Sectional title properties here range from R550 000 to about R2.1 million,” says Young, “although there aren’t very many sectional title developments on offer. Freehold houses start at about R1.8 million and go up to R11 million and more, but the median valuation remains a remarkably affordable R3.35 million.”
While this certainly places Welgemoed’s residents on the affluent end of the scale (average household incomes in the area are in excess of R75 000 per month), Young reports ongoing stock shortages as demand continues to outpace supply.
“We’re definitely seeing buyers who might previously have bought in the Southern Suburbs being put off by high prices or lack of availability, and coming to Welgemoed to find a similar lifestyle at a more feasible entry-point,” says Young. “This includes plenty of English-speaking buyers, as well as a lot of foreign-language speakers – we’ve become quite a cosmopolitan neighborhood.”
If you’re wondering about investment potential, buyers can expect inflation-linked capital appreciation at present, with the likelihood of far better returns when economic conditions improve.
“Welgemoed will always be a sought-after area for upmarket, family lifestyle properties,” says Young, “and as the Northern Suburbs continue to grow, that demand is likely to increase exponentially.”
