Val de Grace has large homes on big stands, which makes it the perfect family neighbourhood for families looking to upgrade.
Families with children see this suburb as ideal thanks to the huge gardens in which the little ones can play - and because it is well serviced with good schools found in the vicinity.
“Younger families are buying in this area. The suburb is in a great location that is close to lots of good schools,” says Janine Botha of Seeff Pretoria East.
Younger families are buying in this area. The suburb is in a great location as it is close to many good schools. - Janine Botha, estate agent, Seeff Pretoria East
Picture: Supplied
These include Laerskool Die Krans (Val de Grace), St Paulus Private School (Brummeria) and Laerskool Skuilkrans (Murrayfield), with Hoërskool Die Wilgers, Willowridge High School and Hoërskool Silverton.
Like Brummeria neighbouring it, Val de Grace is favoured by professionals working in Pretoria Central, in the commercial hubs of the Pretoria East area.
Importantly it is also popular with people working at the nearby CSIR in Brummeria. In addition, Silverton is home to the SAPS Logistics Division as well as the National Prosecuting Authority.
“Val de Grace is ideally situated, close to the N4 highway. In fact, the N4 bisects it into northern and southern portions, with the latter being close to the Silverton and Silvertondale industrial area, where the Ford Motor Southern Africa manufacturing plant is based,” notes Botha.
She adds a buyer investing here means having no major worries regarding finding tenants for their properties, because of the high demand for accommodation in the area.
Unlike Brummeria with its smaller stands suited to people wanting to upgrade as well as young couples and singles, Val de Grace’s bigger stands enable investors who buy here to sub-divide and develop sectional titles for much higher rental return income.
“The traditional bigger stands are about 1800m² and some are being renovated for letting,” says Botha.
But she sounds a word of caution to prospective buyers, saying although the homes are older, one has to be careful to not over-capitalise on renovation. “The market in this area does not lend itself to increase by that much. Prices for properties have not fetched more than R3million in the past year.”
Most prime properties are to be found in the southern section of the suburb.
“There is a part of Val de Grace that is within a security cordon, the area south of the N4, which is more popular with buyers,” says Botha.
There are plenty of hangouts for nature lovers to indulge their pasion. They can go birdwatching at the Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary or take walks, organise picnics and other activities at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden next door at Brummeria.
If you’re a history buff, you can drive towards Silverton where you’ll find the Pioneer Museum, which is housed in a building built in 1848, reputedly the oldest building in Tshwane.
An active neighbourhood watch in the area ensures the prioritisation of personal safety and security for residents.
Nearby Murrayfield is slightly more upmarket than Val de Grace.
Cindy Labuschagne’s favourite places and things to do
Val de Grace is ideal as it is close to the good schools I wanted the children to attend. It’s relatively easy to take the children to school and fetch them. Further to that, the shops are close and so too is everything we could possibly need. It’s also a nice established area with big trees and a great neighbourhood feel. - Cindy Labuschagne, resident
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1 Pretoria National Botanical Garden
We go there at least once a month for a family picnic. I work
on Saturdays so miss the popular park run held there. 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria. 012 843 5071
Pretoria National Botanical Garden is ideal for family picnics. Picture: Supplied
2 Zappas
They’ve got lots of specials and happy hours and, therefore, it’s worth it. They cater to the kids and are open until fairly late. 378 Rossouw Street, Murrayfield. 012 803 6122
3 Pioneer Museum
Wealth of heritage of early settlers. Keuning Drive, Silverton. 072 323 9758
4 Boeremark
It’s an awesome market where you can find fresh meat, flowers and order chicken rolls. 665 Moreleta Street,
Silverton. 079 987 1025
5 Wolwespruit Mountain Bike and Trail Run
Park It’s a great mountain bike venue and the kids love it. 501 Jochemus Street, Erasmuskloof. 061 085 8120
6 Lynnwood Bridge
Plenty of fine dining, shopping and entertainment. Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor. 087 845 1150