Five reasons to buy in Ballito

There are very few places in the world that boast opulent family homes, beautiful holiday resorts, a growing commercial sector and breathtaking natural beauty all wrapped up in a serene village-like atmosphere. 

However, Ballito does, and it's no secret that residents love what it has to offer, on top of great weather and a year-round coastal holiday atmosphere, says Greg Harris, owner of the local Chas Everitt International franchise.

Just 40km north of Durban and a 30-minute drive from the King Shaka International airport, the North Coast town attracts thousands of visitors a year, many of whom decide on the spot to relocate, and its permanent population has increased by around 69% since 2011 to 35 000 households.

Here are the top five draw cards for those who might also be considering a move to this "Dolphin Coast" hotspot: 

Exceptional homes. Ballito itself boasts many modern and well-designed family homes with large gardens and entertainment areas and, often, a view of the turquoise sea and a pristine beach. The town also has many luxury sectional title developments, and is surrounded by some of the country's most desirable lifestyle estates, including Zimbali and Simbithi (both on New World Wealth's 2019 list of the top 10 estates in SA) as well as Les Mouettes, The Dunes and Seaward Estates.

The most luxurious of these is Zimbali, which offers residents five-star living in a highly secure environment. Home prices here range from R4,5m to around R70m, and facilities include an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis and squash courts, several pools, clubhouses, a gym, a choice of eight restaurants and coffee shops, nature and walking trails and a private beach.

Beautiful beaches. Ballito is one of the best places to live for those who yearn for a life by the sea and its long sandy beaches are one of the main reasons that buyers continue to snap up homes in the town. The most popular are Willard Beach, Salmon Bay, Thompson's Bay and Clarke Bay, which are all good for swimming, surfing, kite surfing, fishing and snorkelling. The Clarke Bay beach also has tidal pools. For those who prefer to watch the sea rather than get in the water, Ballito also has a lovely boardwalk that runs all the way to Salt Rock, and that frequently offers sightings of pods of dolphins and even whales at the right time of year. 

Good town management. The town is managed by the Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP). Established in 2015, this is a collaboration between the public and private sector that strives to advance the quality of life for residents by improving safety, upgrading and maintaining public spaces, building investor confidence and supporting responsible business activity.

Excellent local amenities. Families find it easy to relocate to Ballito because of the proximity of excellent private schools such as Reddam House, Ashton International College and Curro Mount Richmore; three large malls with a huge variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment options; a local medical centre and the private Netcare Alberlito hospital. The rapid commercial development of the town means that many residents actually work here too now, while uMhalanga is about a 15-minute drive away for those who need to commute there. 

Plenty to do. Besides stellar beaches, Ballito is home to many inland attractions and activities that are popular with residents as well as tourists. These include the Sugar Rush adventure park; Flag Farm with more than 1000 animals, birds, reptiles, wolves and alpacas; the Litchi Orchard and farmers' market which offers delicious food and live music as well as fresh fruit; and the Ndlondlo Reptile Park.

There are also MTB trails and riding schools within easy reach and for golfers, the excellent 18-hole course at the Umhlali Country Club as well as the course at Zimbali.

To see the best homes for sale in Ballito, visit: https://www.chaseveritt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/ballito/all/?advanced_search=1&s=price