| The idea of lifestyle living has redefined the South | | | | about anything that relates to quality gracious living: |
| African property market in recent years. A concept | | | | food and wine, health and beauty, and occasionally, |
| that has numerous applications, it appeals to those | | | | property. |
| who want the very best of life. This is because it | | | | The beauty of the lifestyle living theory is that it can |
| arouses an emotional desire for true quality and a | | | | be adapted to meet almost every discernible desire. |
| yearning to live a life of choice. | | | | That is undoubtedly why the term is often used to |
| While not unlike lifestyle living in other countries, the | | | | promote property values and desirability. As such, |
| concept has a special appeal within the African | | | | lifestyle living has defined its own place in a very |
| context, with South Africa offering a combination of | | | | competitive industry. And to many, it is absolutely |
| raw scenic beauty, African adventure, an | | | | irresistible. |
| extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, and world-class | | | | It is accepted that any type of lifestyle estate in this |
| facilities and living standards. Gone are the images of | | | | country will provide an exclusive home environment |
| lions roaming the streets of Cape Town, | | | | where you are secure and have easy access to the |
| Johannesburg and Durban. Instead the famous Big | | | | amenities you value. Thousands of gated |
| Five live in well managed game parks while the | | | | communities in towns and cities across South Africa |
| streets of South Africa's top cities offer shops and | | | | meet this basic definition. However quality |
| restaurants that promise First World luxuries and | | | | lifestyle-living means a whole lot more than living in an |
| treats at affordable prices - especially for those who | | | | upmarket housing estate densely packed with |
| visit from foreign lands. | | | | identical-looking mansions and triple garages. |
| So it is not surprising that lifestyle living is a concept | | | | Quality rural lifestyle living is the connoisseur's prize; |
| that appeals to both foreigners and locals alike. | | | | far removed from city stress. Savvy developers of |
| Nestled between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, | | | | successful country lifestyle estates link the needs of |
| South Africa is the 25th largest country in the world, | | | | buyers to lifestyle desires such as game farms, |
| covering an area of 1,221,040 square kilometres or | | | | private nature reserves, golf, wine, horses and |
| 471,446 square miles. It has a population of more | | | | "gentleman" farming, whether on a full-time basis or |
| than 47-million people from a wide variety of cultures | | | | "get-away" retreat within a few short hours drive |
| and religious beliefs. There are nine official languages | | | | from the city. |
| and nine provinces, making the country truly a | | | | Many international buyers want all the benefits of a |
| rainbow nation. | | | | "Farm in Africa" without the management worry or |
| Anyone looking for property opportunities within this | | | | financial liability. For every buyer there is an |
| southern-most country in Africa will find that | | | | environment that satisfies and soothes both the soul |
| property agents enthusiastically espouse the concept | | | | and the budget. |
| of lifestyle living. On the other hand, magazines | | | | Once you understand your options, you can look for |
| published locally use the term loosely to describe just | | | | the place of your dreams, just like I did. |