Pretoria property guide

Pretoria at a glance

Situated in the Northern part of Gauteng, Pretoria offers residents a melting pot of culture, tradition, history and first world commerce. Home to thousands of Jacaranda trees has given the city the nickname ‘Jacaranda City’ and when the trees are in bloom the streets across the city are littered with the distinctive purple flowers. The city is the administrative capital of South Africa and serves as the de facto capital of the country. Apart from the Voortrekker Monument, it is also home to the Union Buildings and many foreign embassies. This lends a certain atmosphere to the city as many Ambassadors and their families make this their home, bringing with them their culture and traditions. Pretoria is connected to other major cities by the N1 highway and the N4, this allows residents working in areas such as Midrand or Johannesburg to commute to work. The newly built Gautrain has made this option more attractive as Sandton is now only a 20-minute train ride away and OR Tambo International Airport 45 minutes. Pretoria is also known for its high education level as many students flock to the world-renowned universities such as the University of Pretoria (Tukkies) and The University of South Africa (UNISA). The influx of students to Pretoria each year means that the city has a bustling nightlife with various live venues, theatres, and other entertainment options. Property in the city is a mix of old school charm and the ultra-modern, while still having generous gardens as residents in this city tend to be more outdoor driven. This is due to the subtropical climate of the area which allows for long hot summers and short cold winters. Property closer to the central business district (CBD) is smaller and is usually apartments, while property close to the Universities is a mix of communes, apartments and small houses. Property situated further away from these centres are usually larger in size.