Olivedale, Randburg

Once upon a time, if you stayed in Olivedale, chances are that your home was on a dirt road and that you could see miles over a veld to what was Johannesburg. Now all of the roads are tarred and Olivedale is a small and comfortable neighbourhood in the midst of development, surrounded on virtually all sides by modern townhouse complexes and gated communities.

Most of the homes here are freestanding on fairly large properties, and whilst it is not a Sandton-style neighbourhood with modern, double-storeyed homes, it is attractive to families and there are a few guesthouses scattered within the suburb.

This does not stop Olivedale from remaining a pretty neighbourhood, its trees well established, its gardens appealing. A stay here will promise relative peace and quiet and easy access to Randburg and Sandton, if those are your needs.

Olivedale is probably best know for its medi-clinic, which has one of the busiest emergency units. And the suburb lies not far from another medical clinic, the Flora Clinic, making it an ideal venue for those here to visit relatives.

Olivedale lies west of the N1, close to the suburbs of Sharonlea, Meadowhurst, North Riding and Douglasdale. The Montecasino, Fourways Mall, and Northgate shopping centre are all close by. There are even a couple of restaurants in Olivedale itself, like the Olive Lounge in the Olivedale corner shopping centre that means traipsing off into other parts of Johannesburg are not necessary.

And over weekends, if hanging out in malls isn't your style, then head for the hills – the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is not even an hour's drive from Olivedale. And the Magaliesberg just a little further.