Durban's Glitziest Suburb
Category News
The opulent suburb of Umhlanga is located on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal and it’s namesake is derived from the isiZulu words “place of reeds”. However, in recent years, this formerly quaint village has fast become a high end suburb of Durban. Umhlanga offers a coastal charm with a wide range of amenities to suit a balanced “work, live, play” lifestyle.
Why Should You Invest In Umhlanga?
The seaside suburb’s growth has been widely attributed to the development of the Gateway Theatre of Shopping as well as Tongaat Hulett’s Umhlanga Ridge precinct. In the past few years several blue chip companies have flocked to the Umhlanga Ridge precinct due to the area’s plethora of offerings, such as: gyms, first class restaurants and the clusters of new upmarket residential estates.
Most of the major residential and commercial developments have surrounded the busy hub of the Gateway Shopping complex. The shopping centre enjoys over 400 stores and 70 eateries, with international brands ranging from: Topshop, Zara, Cotton On and Forever New. There is also a large Ster Kinekor which offers 18 cinemas, an Imax and for the more artistic pallet, a Cinema Nouveau.
Umhlanga also offers a myriad of excellent schooling options, making the upmarket suburb particularly attractive for families. Schools such as Crawford College, Umhlanga College and Atholton Primary are renowned for their dedication to childhood development, both socially and intellectually.
In terms of healthcare, Umhlanga is home to the widely celebrated Netcare Umhlanga Hospital which offers state of the art facilities and a team of world class specialists. More so, the Gateway Private Hospital, situated adjacent to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, is a new private hospital with a prime focus on surgical procedures. The hospital is equipped with the latest surgical equipment, two ICUs and six operating theatres.
Umhlanga not only offers a balanced lifestyle for families looking to join the Umhlanga community, but also for young professionals seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle. The Umhlanga village is clustered with bars, restaurants, coffee shops and nightclubs for those who enjoy nightlife. First class restaurants such as Harvey’s Umhlanga and Havana Grill make for the perfect occasion for celebrations and work lunches. Formal business professionals in Audis make their way through the hussle and bussle of the Umhlanga circles, whilst locals and tourists alike enjoy the high end coffee shops, golden beaches, restaurants and shopping boutiques.
In addition to this, whether you are seeking to rent or buy, Umhlanga accommodates for a range of income brackets. In 2015 the average rental price in the Umhlanga area was estimated to be around R8 000 per month for a one bedroom apartment. Whilst luxury apartments such as those located on the famous Herrwood Drive, can easily go for over R20 000 per month for an opulent 2 bedroom apartment. The rental market in Umhlanga is growing at a rapid rate, with new residential developments replacing the empty cane fields at an impressive rate. This presents a plethora of opportunities for investors as the high demand can be lucrative for those seeking to buy to let.
The enormous growth of the once sleepy seaside town not only presents opportunities for an all rounded lifestyle but for return on investment as well. Umhlanga’s residential property market has been booming with average price increases of 20% over the last couple of years.
For more information about our Umhlanga properties, browse our listings or contact one of our agents and we would be happy to assist you with your property needs.
Author: Dormehl Property Group
