24 APRIL
An artist’s impression of The Somerset Retirement and Lifestyle development.
Schonenberg Retirement Village
PROPERTY:HIGH DEMAND FOR RETIREMENT VILLAGES
Helderberg preferred for retirement DALEEN FOUCHÉ The Helderberg has been a preferred retirement destination for several years and is now being described by some as the preferred retirement destination in the country. Councillor Garreth Bloor, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Environmental and Spatial Planning, says the Helderberg district is a preferred location for retirement housing due to the unique beauty of the area combined with the med-
ical services and retail opportunities offered. He says this was taken into consideration with the drafting of the Helderberg District Plan, a document that deals with planning for future development. Elzaan Nagel, spokesperson for The Somerset Retirement and Lifestyle Village that is being developed in Somerset West, says this development is doing very well with the first phase almost sold out. She says before the development was started, research was undertaken and found that even though there already are several retirement villages within the Helder-
berg, there is a need for retirement housing, adding that there are waiting lists for several existing retirement villages. Russell Masters, sales consultants for the Schonenberg Retirement Village in Somerset West, says the Helderberg is the preferred retirement location, because it is so centrally located. He says the Helderberg is a mere half an hour drive to town and the airport and is also the gateway to the winelands and the coast. “It is convenient for people with holiday homes in Pringle Bay or Hermanus.”
Masters, who has more than 15 years of experience selling retirement housing, says about 60% of retirement villages are sold to locals, while the balance is made up of other provinces and overseas. He says people from Gauteng are especially interested in retiring in Somerset West. He says Somerset West is perceived as a lot safer than the Gauteng suburbs and is a big drawing card. Masters adds that many young families move to the Helderberg and their parents follow them when they retire. Di Havard, an estate agent for RE/MAX, says the demand for re-
tirement housing in the Helderberg, especially Somerset West, is very high. She says the natural beauty, safe environment and ocean and mountain views are some of the drawing cards of the area. She says many locals, who have lived in the area, would not want to move away and prefer to retire here. She says many people from Gauteng also want to retire close to the ocean. She explains that people prefer the Helderberg, because it is not in the hustle and bustle of the city, but close to top retail and medical amenities.