Norwood, Johannesburg

A garden suburb of Johannesburg, Norwood is both diverse and appealing. Its pretty streets are lined with trees and Norwood is easily one of the more popular dining spots in the city, renowned for its celebrated restaurants and ethnic mix of cuisine. Norwood is pretty unique. The people who live here are a colourful mix of cultures - Jewish, Muslim, West African and South Africans live side-by-side - and the suburb has a distinctive cosmopolitan atmosphere.

People are not scared to stroll the streets. Despite Norwood’s position just up the road from the vibrant ‘hood’ that Orange Grove has become, it is very far from in decline, possibly because of the influence of its other neighbour - Houghton, one of the wealthiest suburbs in the country, which lies to the west of Norwood. Norwood also has an active community policing programme, which may account for the distinctly secure feeling of the quaint suburb. Norwood has the ambience of a quiet village, its homes dating back to the 1920s and 1930s and its bohemian, laidback nature is reflected in the collection of small high street boutiques, coffee bars and cafés.

You’re not short of things to do when staying here. Rosebank is a mere 10 minutes away, and Sandton City and its myriad shops, little more than 15. You’re ideally placed to get into the city centre or to timeously reach Sandton’s CBD.