East London Area Profile

East London at a glance

East London, also known as Buffalo City, lies between the Nahoon River in the North & the Buffalo River in the South.  It is the second largest city in the Eastern Cape & the only River Port in South Africa. The subtropical climate of the area guarantees temperate weather conditions throughout the year and that, plus the warm Indian Ocean lapping the pristine beaches, contribute to it being a sought-after holiday destination.

East London beaches are glorious. There are long expanses of immaculate golden sands which are never crowded. Conditions are excellent for swimming & surfing with Nahoon Reef being a favourite with Surfers. Fishing, Skiing & Paddle Skiing are popular pastimes along the Nahoon River & Estuary. Apart from the beautiful beaches of East London, there are many other idyllic seaside villages close by which one can visit. Cintsa & Gonubie are about a 30-minute drive with Kei Mouth & Morgan Bay being just over an hour commute.  These areas are extremely popular holiday destinations for families.

East London benefits from an efficient road network.  The R72 connects it to the Airport. This road can also take you to Gqeberha - it is a longer scenic route via Port Alfred & Kenton-on-Sea.  The alternate route is the main N2 National Highway which also goes Northeast towards King Williams Town & onward to KZN. The N6 travels inland towards Bloemfontein.  East London has an effective Public Transport System consisting of Trains & Metro Bus Service & is also serviced by Minibus Taxis.

East London has much to offer young families & those that are permanent residents. Here one can enjoy a far more relaxed approach to life without compromising on essential facilities. 

When it comes to Education there a several outstanding options. Merrifield Private School, Crewe Primary School, Hudson Park High, Selbourne College & Clarendon Girls High are some of the renowned Schools that achieve remarkable academic results.

Medical facilities in the city are world class. Frere Hospital, Beacon Bay Life Hospital, St Dominic's Private Hospital & East London Private Hospital offer comprehensive medical care. They have skilled Specialists & Staff & up to date equipment for all investigative & surgical procedures.

Shopping Malls & smaller Outlets are plentiful. The Vincent Park Shopping Centre & Hemmingway Mall are the largest complexes offering fashionable chain stores as well as exclusive Boutiques, restaurants & Cinemas.  The Berea, which is a well-known commercial area also has numerous coffee shops & Boutiques 

Beaches are not the only attraction East London has to offer. There is a most informative Natural History Museum, Lion Park, Aquarium, Queens Park Zoo, Selbourne War Memorial & Ann Bryant Gallery. Those that enjoy nature can visit the splendid Botanical Gardens or take a leisurely stroll along the Nahoon Riverbanks where Mangrove Trees, Strelitzias & Cycads grow abundantly. Bird watches will enjoy the Dassie Trail here which has numerous species of birds due to the protection given by the Mangrove Forest. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the Mpongo Park Game Reserve or Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve which are near East London.

Sports Clubs are plentiful. Cambridge Sport Club offers Bowls, Tennis, Squash & Rugby.  James Pearce Park in Stirling has Tennis Courts and plenty of open space so is a popular picnic spot and a favourite choice for Dog walkers or children to ride their bikes.                                                                                                                                     Close to Sterling is the Xerox Hockey Astro Turf where local, Regional & National games are hosted.                                                                                                                                           A number of Sports Clubs are found in Selbourne as is the Joan Harrison Swimming Pool Complex which hosts National Swimming Galas, Diving Competitions, underwater Hockey & Water Polo Events.                                                                                                               Golfers have a superb Course at East London Golf Club one of the oldest Golf Clubs in South Africa where many Golfing Tournaments are held. This beautiful course is laid out amongst dunes & coastal indigenous bush and players can enjoy spectacular views of both ocean & valley whilst playing.

Thera are not many Hotels in East London, but this factor has led to the rise of Guest Houses & Charming Boutique B&Bs. This contributes to the warm, social ambience of the city.

There are varied property options available in East London. Vacant land, Apartments, Clusters, Free Standing Homes, or Commercial Property. All requirements & budgets are catered for. 

Abbotsford is a desired suburb set in a natural basin. It has some riverside properties with commanding views. The stands are large and those that have river access can have high value. There are some lovely more modest Townhouse & Cluster developments along the Riverside as well as some older homes that can be renovated. This suburb has excellent access to Highways, Schools & Shops.                                                                                                                               

Bonni Doon is an upmarket tranquil suburb overlooking the Nahoon River. Properties have stunning lush gardens, and some have superb views. It is also close to all facilities.  

Bunkers Hills is another small upmarket suburb with leafy surroundings. Lavish homes with expansive grounds make an idyllic family home option                  

4km from East London City Centre is Braelyn which is a popular choice with the Indian & Muslim Communities. It has firm Indian culture links & the East London Mosque is found here. It is close to the Oriental Plaza and within walking distance of Frere Hospital & educational facilities.  A lot of the properties are spacious and very good value for money.

An ideal family suburb which is much sought after is Dorchester Heights. This suburb has no industry or shops & is not a thoroughfare. It is crime free with a rural atmosphere and has beautiful homes set in tree lined streets. It has easy access to the city & the N2 Highway.

One of the oldest suburbs is Quigney. Close to the city entre and universities, colleges & schools, it has a diverse student population. There are Hotels, Guest Houses & many restaurants. One can enjoy leisurely walks along the Eastern or Orient Beach & enjoy Harbour & Sea views. Apartments, Townhouses, or Investment block of flats are affordable here. There are some beautiful Heritage homes with Victorian & Edwardian architecture

Selbourne is a well-established suburb within the heart of the city. It is a 5-minute commute from all the commercial facilities & within walking distance of top Schools Clarendon & Selbourne College. Property range includes Apartments, Townhouses & stately well-built homes.

Other suburbs that young families are keen on are Stirling & Vincent. The convenience of being close to Schools, Sports clubs & retails stores is a major advantage.  They are also beautiful, tranquil suburbs to live in.

East London certainly has much to offer, either as a holiday destination or something more permanent for families looking for relaxed balance lifestyle without sacrificing facilities. There are properties available to fulfill all dreams & suit all budgets.