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When it comes to millennials, we tend to have very specific ideas of what is cool and trendy - and we take these specific ideas with us when we consider where we want to live. According to Tahir Desai, the senior content manager at Private Property, millennials take three factors into consideration when they choose which cool neighbourhoods to live in:
- affordability
- safety
- a "live, work, play" lifestyle
Tahir explains that millennials value their time and "do not want a long commute to work." They want to be able to go out close to where they work and live. Most importantly millennials are cost conscious - high rentals and spending a lot of money on transport is out of the question.
READ MORE: Pretoria is more expensive to live in than both Johannesburg and Cape Town
Millennials are also looking for a 'vibe' Tahir explains. "Millennials are attracted to things like creativity, diversity and tolerance. So they want to live in a place they can be themselves, meet people from different cultures and have a wide range of entertainment options like galleries, art studios, creative venues and restaurants at their doorsteps." And it definitely helps if the place is Instagram worthy.
Based on this criteria, Tahir helped us compile a list of the coolest neighbourhoods to live in South Africa:
1. Pretoria - Hazelwood
According to Property Wheel Hazelwood is fast becoming the trendy place to live in for young working millennials, especially if they are looking to buy. Renting is also an affordable option. Hazelwood is home to "a busy commercial centre and at the heart of Hazelwood, is ‘The Club’, an upmarket lifestyle shopping centre that offers open-air restaurants for a relaxed meal. Hot new restaurants and eateries along with the Hazelwood Food Market, held every Saturday, have made the area quite popular."
Renting a two bedroom apartment can start from R 7 500 a month - and with a variety of rental options available including houses.
2. Johannesburg - Maboneng Precinct
Maboneng was recently named one of two coolest neighbourhoods in South Africa on the Forbes list putting it on the top 12 coolest neighbourhoods in the world. According to Forbes Maboneng was once a tricky destination but after some serious re-vamping and re-branding, the neighbourhood is fast becoming popular especially to tourists. It houses a number of fine eateries like Pata Pata and other attractions such as Museum of African Design and Arts on Main.
Living in Maboneng is quite affordable too, with a two-bedroom loft renting from R 4 950.
3. Durban - Morningside
According to Tahir, Morningside has Durban's Florida Road which has a wide range of restaurants such as Next Chapter as well as a variety of shops and art galleries like Art Centre. It is also a few minutes away from Station Drive Precint which has craft breweries, creative spaces and hosts markets and events for millennials.
A two-bedroom apartment Morningside goes for R 6 100 a month.
READ MORE: Can you guess the most Instagrammed hoods and cities in SA?
4. Port Elizabeth - Central
According Tahir, PE Central has a similar story to Maboneng - "the area was previously neglected but has been undergoing an upgrade over the last few years." Tahir adds that the development of Route 67, the opera house and a number of art galleries being renovated has contributed to the uplift of the arts and culture in the CBD. "Central is culturally diverse and a melting pot of arts and culture in PE," says Tahir.
There are number of drinking spots such as the Beer Yard and great resturants like the Royal Dehli that are attractive and trendy.
Renting starts at R 4 500 for a two-bedroom unfurnished apartment and fully furnished apartment starting at R 6 600 a month.
READ MORE: These are the most popular #Instahoods in South Africa
5. Cape Town - Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay also made on the Forbes list for being one of 12 coolest neighbourhoods. According to Forbes, Kalk Bay is on the list because it is more than just a surfing spot it is "blanketed with quaint cafes, rustic fishing boats and colorful storefronts, this vibrant harbor neighborhood is recently the talk of the city." Kalk Bay has a wide range of restaurants with Olympia Café being one of the top spots according to Forbes. There are other interesting places such as the Kalk Bay Theatre which also has a restaurant and a number of productions always taking place.
Renting in Kalk Bay is quite pricey, a one-bedroom studio apartment will cost R 5 580 and a two-bedroom starting from R 10 000 a month.
Do you live in any of these neighbourhoods? What are your favourite places to visit? Tweet us @W24_SA and let us know.
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