Oaklands, Johannesburg

Nestled in amongst similar leafy, northern suburbs in Johannesburg, Oaklands lies next to Highlands North, Abbotsford and Norwood just across the M1 from Rosebank and south of Sandton. It is an upmarket area where large homes lie amidst sprawling gardens filled with established trees, shrubs and the call of birds.

Not only is it a lovely area in which to stay, in the sense that the suburb is more than a little aesthetically pleasing, but it is also ideally situated for getting around Johannesburg easily and without too much effort. Oaklands lies close to the major shopping malls of Killarney, Melrose, Rosebank, Hyde Park and Norwood. A trip into Sandton is an elementary drive up Rivonia Road or the M1, whilst a foray into the original Johannesburg, the centre of town and now the site of much regeneration, is as straightforward.

Oaklands has many shops, offices, townhouses and hotels of its own, the suburb is not purely residential, mainly because of where it lies in the heart of Johannesburg. There is plenty to see and do from here. Wanderers Cricket Stadium and Ellis Park Stadium are in close proximity, both the Killarney and Houghton golf clubs are at hand, the Great Park Synagogue is nearby, and theatres - such as the Linder Auditorim, and the Theatre on the Square in Sandton - are easily at hand to provide you with entertainment.

For eating out and a night life you are spoilt for choice. Rosebank, Hyde Park and Sandton give you glitz and glamour, whilst Greenside, Parktown and Norwood offer more trendy eateries. Both are places at which to 'be seen' or remain anonymous, depending on your style and choice of restaurant.