Buying a home in Fontainebleau Randburg - Safety concerns

[Kreesan]

Hi Guys

My wife and I are looking to buy a property in Fontainebleau Randburg , as we are relocating to JHB and work close to Cresta.
Please could anyone familiar with this area provide some guidance in terms of the safety/crime in this area and if it is a good area overall. I have noticed that there is CCTV cameras installed on most streets, but some advice from people living in and around this area would be highly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[My_King]

Not a bad 1st post. Just the wait

 

[Zophos]

Are you looking in a closed off neighborhood with access control?

Freestanding house or complex?

These factors will contribute to you spending more on private security

We are in Randpark Ridge in a security complex.

Overall good area, but still need to exercise caution and have the necessary 3 barrier defense. (Electric Fence, Alarm and Burglar bars/security gates)

In recent years we have seen an increase in attempted house robberies in the area, but mainly due to lack of security measures and mostly over the holiday periods

EDIT - Completed my thoughts

 

[Matt91]

Are you looking in a closed off neighborhood with access control?

Freestanding house or complex?

These factors will contribute to you spending more on private security

We are in Randpark Ridge in a security complex.

Overall good area, but still need to exercise caution and have the necessary 3 barrier defense. (Electric Fence, Alarm and Burglar bars/security gates)

In recent years we have seen an increase in attempted house robberies in the area, but mainly due to...

Yes?

 

[Zophos]

Yes?

Message was for @Kreesan...

But good to know that you are also looking...

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Message was for @Kreesan...

But good to know that you are also looking...

Your post ended abruptly, it looked like there was more to come...

 

[Zophos]

Apologies

Got interrupted with work...

So annoying when work gets in the way of social activities...

 

[Kreesan]

Are you looking in a closed off neighborhood with access control?

Freestanding house or complex?

These factors will contribute to you spending more on private security

We are in Randpark Ridge in a security complex.

Overall good area, but still need to exercise caution and have the necessary 3 barrier defense. (Electric Fence, Alarm and Burglar bars/security gates)

In recent years we have seen an increase in attempted house robberies in the area, but mainly due to

Hi Zophos

We are looking at a free standing house not in a complex or any communal dwelling, there is an electric fence and armed response.

 

[Zophos]

Hi Zophos

We are looking at a free standing house not in a complex or any communal dwelling, there is an electric fence and armed response.

Great. You should be fine.

Good area in terms of shopping malls and restaurants.
Fairly busy in terms of traffic, especially Rabie and Republic. If you use WAZE to get to know the traffic patterns and routes, you should be fine

Good luck with the move

 

[greg0205]

What Zophos said.

Used to live on Martha and my best mate’s folks lived on 1st.

There are a couple of options for getting to Cresta so traffic shouldn’t be a problem.

Security is security, irrespective of where you live in Johannesburg... Be sensible about it if it’s Fontainebleau or Dainfern and you’ll be fine.

 

[pboy]

personally, buying a stand alone house in jhb is a big NO for me.
I live in a free standing house in a complex, and yes it has its fair share of rules and nosey neighbours etc; but I believe you cannot put a price on securing your family. sure many guys may say otherwise here, but to best compromise is a house on a boomed off street. Randpark ridge has some really nice ones, excellent value for money, nice schools, etc. just traffic crossing the highway may prove challenging. Use google maps, and put in your depart and arrive times will adjust accordingly.

fontainebleau is right next to windsor aka mini nigeria. Windsor is the scum/slums of randburg, crime, drugs, hundreds of people loitering...

i work in the area, and drive up republic towards cresta every morning. I lived in windsor almost 20 years ago and its was a very good area back then. Now its a township. for real! and that sht spreads- quick!

 

[Toxxyc]

I'll say this once - boomed off areas and security complexes often give a false sense of security. Yes, they help, but they're not the all and all for security. Be proactive, be careful and remember security is like onions. It consists of layers.

 

[pboy]

this is correct, you can never be 100% secure.
but something tells me ZERO incidents in the last 9 years in my security estate must count for something, vs what you hear about on nearby streets with houses on.

 

[Toxxyc]

this is correct, you can never be 100% secure.
but something tells me ZERO incidents in the last 9 years in my security estate must count for something, vs what you hear about on nearby streets with houses on.

It's a very simple explanation - Crims choose soft targets. If your estate is a relatively hard target, criminals will generally choose the targets around the estate that's easier to get into. It's not a set rule, but a general one. Estates help, but I've seen people buy in estates and then leave their doors open, no burglar bars, no dogs, no alarms, etc. etc. just because they're in a "secure area".

 

[Lupus]

Bromhof, Randpark Ridge, Malanshof maybe there are parts of Fontainbleu really close to Windsor and Cresta itself isn't a great area anymore. You could look at Berario or surrounding as well that would be going down towards Cresta, but traffic is bad no matter where you stay. I used to travel that way a lot in the day. Beyers Naude, Judges and surrounding roads just block up.

 

[Athos]

I live in the area and crime is an ever present factor just like it is for every single other area in Johannesburg.

I have lived there for two years and have had one incident where guys tried to break my garage door to get in but were unsuccessful.

If you live in a freestanding house, you need to have security (CCTV, access control to gates, electric fence etc.), you need to be vigilant and you need to stay sharp, don't become complacent. Don't park in your driveway while waiting for gates to open, don't linger outside etc etc. It is the same for any freestanding house in any area.

 

[TheChamp]

personally, buying a stand alone house in jhb is a big NO for me.
I live in a free standing house in a complex, and yes it has its fair share of rules and nosey neighbours etc; but I believe you cannot put a price on securing your family. sure many guys may say otherwise here, but to best compromise is a house on a boomed off street. Randpark ridge has some really nice ones, excellent value for money, nice schools, etc. just traffic crossing the highway may prove challenging. Use google maps, and put in your depart and arrive times will adjust accordingly.

fontainebleau is right next to windsor aka mini nigeria. Windsor is the scum/slums of randburg, crime, drugs, hundreds of people loitering...

i work in the area, and drive up republic towards cresta every morning. I lived in windsor almost 20 years ago and its was a very good area back then. Now its a township. for real! and that sht spreads- quick!

Are you trying to scare the guy or what?
Fontainebleau, Fairlands, Cresta, Linden, Darrenwood, Randparkridge, Northcliff are all right next door to Windsor, looks like no one is safe...

 

[TheChamp]

Bromhof, Randpark Ridge, Malanshof maybe there are parts of Fontainbleu really close to Windsor and Cresta itself isn't a great area anymore. You could look at Berario or surrounding as well that would be going down towards Cresta, but traffic is bad no matter where you stay. I used to travel that way a lot in the day. Beyers Naude, Judges and surrounding roads just block up.

Traffic going towards Cresta is fine in the morning, everyone is going towards Randburg, so the road is all yours in the morning, in the afternoon the peasants are going back and you heading in the opposite direction. Plus as others have said, there are plenty of options to get to Cresta.