home is where the vine is.

home is where the vine is.

I very recently moved to the Mother City. Previously I was eking out a snug, cocoon-like existence in the vibrant student town of Stellenbosch at the very heart of the Winelands. Due to work related reasons I had to relocate and so began the search for suitable Cape Town accommodation.

I had a pretty good deal in Stellenbosch, my father owns a townhouse there and my sister and I were living very comfortably at nominal rent. I guess becoming independent is all part of growing up but it quite literally felt as if I was having the rug pulled out from under me. I asked around but it was an awkward time of the year and everyone I knew already had flatmates or were tied up in existing rent contracts. It seemed I would have to set out all on my lonesome.

Luckily we live in the digital age and there were quite a few websites advertising flatshare opportunities in the city. Of course, being a girl, I had a list of very pesky particulars. This is what I wanted:

1. A place within walking distance of my work (smaller carbon footprint, less petrol consumption, good for the bum)
2. A room of my own that gets morning sunlight
3. Access to a bathroom with both shower and bath facilities
4. SAFE PARKING (see previous post)
5. A garden and braai facilities
6. A clothesline (again the thing with the carbon footprint, tumble dryers chow electricity like you wouldn’t believe)

Quite the tall order, right?? Well, guess what? I got it - a lovely little place just off of Cape Town’s bustling Kloof Street. Tucked away on a large property Martine, my flatmate, and I now share 20 Upper Union Road. Light and airy, the whole space is just screaming to be decorated. I’ve started by refurnishing my (quite sizable) room in light wood with splashes of creamy white and cheerful red. I’ve never been one for minimalism and usually strive to make my space as cosy as possible. This doesn’t mean I condone knick-knacks though – form follows function and all that.

Which just goes to show, if you take the time to look around properly finding Cape Town accommodation to suit your individual needs is not all that difficult. The Mother City is teeming with little nooks and crannies that hide the most delightful abodes.