Boskruin, Randburg

The beauty of Boskruin is that it lies in the shadow of a lovely koppie, known as the Boschkop Nature Reserve that runs north from the dip in Ysterhout Drive. Staying close to this green space creates an effortless commune with nature, particularly if your home has sighting of the dassies that make the koppie their home.

It used to be that Boskruin (crown of bushes) lay virtually on the perimeter of Randburg, a haven on the edge of development. Whilst it has become seriously more developed as townhouse complexes abound in this pretty part of the far northern suburbs of Johannesburg, the presence of the Boschkop Nature Reserve and a similar green belt off Beyers Naudé Drive give credence to the description of Johannesburg as the largest man-made forest in the world. Staying in Boskruin gives you easy access to the N1, Beyers Naudé Drive, and Witkoppen Road. Residents will tell you that they find their way around fairly easily by navigating along back routes to and from Sandton, Fourways and Kyalami. It will take you a little longer to get into the city centre from here, but then most Jo'burgers hardly ever head off in that direction anymore - Sandton has long since replaced the heart of town as the business mecca of the city.

Over weekends your stamping ground will include a number of major shopping centres - Cresta Centre, Fourways, Northgate and Clear Water Mall - whilst green havens such as the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam and the accompanying Botanical Garden will bring you close to nature and offer a quick escape still within the northern suburbs of the city. Further afield you have easy access to the Magaliesberg and Hartebeespoort Dam.