THE NEW HILTON IN THE MIDLANDS
Category Residential Property News
There's something so appealing about a little, charming country village, so it's no surprise that Wakefields has experienced increased demand for that lifestyle. The clincher is that Hilton has become of age - it's still charming, still small with world-class schools, but now it has all the essential amenities and facilities...
When you love where you live - as the Wakefields' Hilton sales team does - the office vibe is a giveaway! Clients enjoy meeting an enthusiastic team who have a 1000 reasons why they wouldn't live anywhere else.
Headed up by manager, Annesta Vermeulen, all Hilton's six sales consultants know the lie of the land intimately, whether it's Howick, Merrievale, Hilton or Pietermaritzburg northern sububs. This year, with the rise in demand for Hilton, four young sales consultants joined the office, completing the team of six. This fresh injection of young blood is well suited to the profile of many of the younger Hilton buyers, and the office is alive with enthusiasm. You'll feel it.
Selling, buying, investigating or sussing out what life is like in Hilton, pop into the Wakefields office - you'll leave with precisely what you came for. This team's expanding, so too the sales, and they're making their mark on Hilton.
What are the Hilton drawcards?
The Hilton climate is undoubtedly a significant drawcard, particularly for those who ascend from the heat pocket of Pietermaritzburg. Whether it's young families or retirees, the Hilton climate and lifestyle means a wonderful winter around a fire, lush gardens in this misty belt, and just the right summer temperatures.
From that tiny little village of rose gardens and scones-'n-jam, Hilton has retained the magic, while upping the essentials: Life Hilton Hospital, Golden Pond retirement village - and Evergreen's upcoming retirement development - and a wide range of property types. From smallholdings to freehold homes (from 1500m2 to 10 000m2), to sectional title complexes and gated estates. The new Mountain View development is currently underway offering very affordable apartments and townhouses with views towards the Berg, and there are also plans for a lifestyle development, The Avenues, which will offer both residential and village style commercial shops. Hilton is also home to two prestigious lifestyle estates, namely Garlington and The Gates next door to Hilton College.
The Wakefields team believes, "Newcomers are entirely spoiled for choice."
Hilton is an active village, and on any given weekend you'll find folk jogging, walking the dogs, cycling in the forests, and even horse-riding. There are bike trails, conservancies, bird watchers, and...gardeners. Gardens flourish in the Hilton climate, as most things thrive in the good soil and abundant rainfall.
With the beauty and activities of the Midlands - and Midlands Meander - on their doorstep, not forgetting only a couple of hours drive to the Drakensberg, there's so much opportunity for outdoor action.
And if you'd rather exercise your creative side, the Hilton Arts Festival in September - held at Hilton College - is a vast, well-esteemed three day festival of art, music, theatre, and crafts.
Hilton's a village with a country lifestyle and city benefits, all rolled into one.
Top South African Schools
Hilton College, Michaelhouse, and St Anne's DSG, have long held pole positions on the list of Kwazulu-Natal, and indeed, South African private schools. As boarding schools, these have spawned a unique property industry, whether it's permanent homes, farm cottages, Air B n B's or more, the parents of these children are involved with their schools. The famous Hilton Michaelhouse inter-school rugby game is but one of the highlights on the calendar.
And there are numerous other excellent schools, from Grace College to Laddsworth Primary School.
For families in Hilton and surrounds, the quality of schooling in these few square kilometres must be unrivalled.
Who is buying in Hilton?
Principally upwardly mobile families, and young professionals with children who move to Hilton for the country lifestyle. There are now many businesses translocating to Hilton, so some buyers want to be closer to their places of work.
Retirees love Hilton. The climate suits, the new hospital and medical care is superb, there's a bowls club, squash club, tennis club and many other outdoor activities. It's only a few minutes' drive from the Sakabula Golf Club and the Victoria Country Club. In addition, there are plenty of shopping, banking and other retail facilities as well as great restaurants.
And there are those who simply choose to flee the City for the country. With Pietermaritzburg 15 minutes away, a commute is simple.
It's a community
Community rules in Hilton, and everybody rolls up their sleeves, Wakefields being no exception.
Wakefields is situated at the Kwikspar centre right opposite the old Hilton station - a wonderful piece of Hilton's heritage past. The old station is home to a number of old steam locomotives and other related railway relics and in recent years has sadly fallen into disrepair - the old buildings are covered in flaking paint and the locomotives are prey to metal thieves. The property has recently been taken over by the Hilton Steam Heritage Society who are working to try to restore the buildings and old locomotives to a semblance of their former glory. Being a close neighbour, the Wakefields' Hilton team has decided to try to assist where possible, and has been in touch with the Society who are delighted to have us on board.
Where is Wakefields in Hilton?
Find us on the main road, Hilton Avenue, in the Kwikspar centre, close to the Shell Garage and Laddsworth Primary School. It is easily accessible to anyone coming off the highway or up Old Howick Road from Pietermaritzburg.
Author: Ann Schauffer
