Ease of access to service points and essential amenities, as well as the availability of gated sections that offer premium security, combine to make Lynnwood a popular residential and investment destination.
“Lynnwood is a lovely well-established, leafy neighbourhood situated close to the University of Pretoria. It is well-situated for all major highways and excellent schools, and surrounded by the best shopping centres in the east,” says Este Moolman of Apple Property, a specialist agent for Lynnwood.
The schools that pull most families to this beautiful suburb include Laerskool Lynnwood, Lynnridge Primary and Hoërskool Menlopark while the cluster of shopping centres along Lynnwood Road also make living here a pleasure.
Young families keep moving to the area to be near schools. They buy the older properties and renovate them, which has resulted in property prices appreciating and in homes that are well looked after, keeping their values. - Este Moolman, estate agent, Apple Properties
Picture: Supplied
These include Lynnridge Mall, Lynnpark Centre, Gift Acres Lifestyle Centre, Lynnwood Bridge Retail. Grove Mall in Equestria is the biggest shopping services complement.
Moolman says the enclosed or gated sections prevalent in the suburb also make Lynnwood a popular choice with those seeking a more secure residential setting. Underscoring Lynnwood’s enduring Eden-like popularity and appeal is the increase in the number of high-rise, high-density developments, catering mostly to the younger resident.
She places the sectional title component at around 21% and says that although Lynnwood is traditionally a freehold area with big stands, a healthy sectional title market exists and is growing.
“The high-rise market is mainly aimed at the young professional and is also sought after by parents looking to secure their children good student accommodation. These consist of a limited amount of space but sell for high prices per square metre.”
This mix of conveniences has resulted in Lynnwod being an area with a well-balanced demographic in which young to middle-aged residents dominate, says Moolman.
“Young families keep moving to the area to be near schools. They buy the older properties and renovate them, which has resulted in property prices appreciating and in homes that are well looked after, keeping their values,” she says.
She describes the market stock as consisting of big family homes which are about 40 years old and subdivided erfs with more modern homes. There are also older sectional title blocks as well as more modern full title clusters, with the average sizes of the homes varying between 250m² and 450m², says Moolman.
Estates such as Strubenkop and Eastford Park are more exclusive and it costs more to live there, says Moolman. She advises prospective home buyers in Lynnwood to assess requirements, ascertain the amount they want to invest and carefully study the properties available on the market.
Lynnwood was established in the 1960s and was then the most easternmost suburb of the former City of Pretoria. Like Brooklyn and Menlo Park, also to the east of Pretoria Central, Lynnwood was probably named after places in the United States.
Lynnwood commands much higher property values on average compared with nearby suburbs including Lynnwood Manor, Lynnwood Glen, Menlo Park and Hazelwood.
Petro Sciocatti’s favourite places and things to do
I chose to live in Lynnwood because I found it peaceful and safe. It is also central and close to all the amenities, including freeways and shopping centres. I prefer to do my shopping at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and Menlyn Maine as you can find virtually anything there. There are also smaller shopping centres closer to home. - Petro Scociatti, resident
Picture: Supplied
1 Lynnwood Bridge
There’s an eclectic selection of tenant shops and upmarket restaurants. It’s convenient and a joy to visit. Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor. 087 845 1150
2 Rock@88 Lynnwood
Cosy, great cocktails. Glen Gables Centre, corner Lynnwood Road and January Masilela Drive, Lynnwood Ridge. 012 348 1558
3 Hilllside Tavern
An atmospheric grill offering great variety. 320 The Hillside Street, Lynnwood. 012 348 5505
4 Virgin Active
It’s a gym with a difference. They serve you fruit, there’s internet so you can sit down to work and there are boardrooms if you need to meet clients. 1 Menlyn Maine Square, Dallas Avenue, Menlyn. 012 348 1565
5 Pachas
You can order almost any item, from game to fish. The Club Centre, 22 Dely Road, Corner Elandslaagte Street and Dely Road, Hazelwood. 012 460 5063
6 Café Beyritz
They have an extremely wide menu, including a nice selection of liquor. The service is also great. 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor. 012 348 2000