Camps Bay's major attraction is mesmerizingly beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean, Twelve Apostles Mountains and Lion's Head. Add to that a great beach (beware water is freezing ALL year), lots of restaurants and vibey feel, and you will see why locals and tourists alike adore Camps Bay. This splendour naturally comes at a cost. Expect some of the highest property prices in Cape Town.

The choice of properties is very wide - from small apartments to ultra-modern penthouses and from modest townhouses to massive mansions. Houses usually come with a garden and a pool, although gardens are not as large as you will find in Southern Suburbs. Rental availability is better during the winter months of May to September. Outside this period, rental prices go up and availability goes down.

There are no security estates in Camps Bay, but apartments usually have some sort of gate security. In terms of security, Camps Bay is one of the best choices in Cape Town, but that being said you should definitely have a full burglar alarm system connected to an armed response service, and observe usual safety precautions. The area is safe to walk during the day, but after dark avoid dark streets unless you are in a group. The beautiful and vibey promenade that 

runs along the beach is safe to walk at night as long as numerous restaurants located there are open.

Grocery shopping is limited to a rather inferior Pick'n'Pay (part of local supermarket chain) and a 7/11. There is a pharmacy, a post office and a dozen tourist-oriented boutiques. You are better off doing your shopping in Sea Point Spar (another local supermarket chain), Gardens Shopping Centre or V&A Waterfront, which are all within 15 minutes drive from Camps Bay.

There are no private/international schools in the area, but Reddam International School in Green Point is about 10/15 minutes drive away. If you work in the city, this is a great location in terms of commute and should not take you more than 20 minutes in rush hours.

Last but not least, Camps bay is extremely windy in summer when South-Easterly wind hits Cape Town. South Easter can blow for days without stopping and the constant noise and sand flying in the air can drive you mad. Get aircon, as this will reduce your need to open the windows and let in the noise and sand. Some parts of Camps Bay are less windy than the others. Glen is probably the quietest, and Bakoven the windiest.  

Clifton – the most expensive address in Cape Town - comes with idyllic beaches full of great-looking people, spectacular sunsets and glamorous houses, perched on the cliffs and offering its rich residents exceptional views.

Despite exorbitant prices, the choice of accommodation is not great. Several of the apartment buildings are fairly run down, but still command great views – and high prices. Interestingly, some of the apartment buildings are accessed from the roof, where you leave your car and then take an elevator down to your flat. Houses are relatively smaller (as are pools and gardens), many of them being quite old. There is a large gap in prices between such properties and those that are new or have been renovated.

Similarly to other coastal areas, availability and affordability of rentals improves during South African winter (May to September).

Clifton is one of the safest areas in Cape Town. Still, you should have a full burglar alarm system connected to an armed response service, and observe usual safety precautions. The area is safe to walk during the day. The spectacular walk between Clifton and Camps Bay takes about 10 minutes (2 minutes by car), but do not attempt this walk in the dark.

Proximity to Camps Bay (5 minutes drive)means there are lots of good restaurants and bars nearby. Clifton and Bantry Bay do not have their own  

establishments, save for a coffee shop, one pizza restaurant and a couple of hotel eateries.

There is a pharmacy and a small convenience store. Grocery shopping is best done in Sea Point Spar or Sea Point Woolworth (local supermarket chains), or at V&A Waterfront, which are all within 10 minutes drive.

There are no private/international schools in the area, but Reddam House School in Green Point is only 10 minute drive away.

If you work in the Central Business District or at the Waterfront, this is a very convenient location in terms of commute and should not take you more than 15 minutes in rush hours.

Unlike Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay, Clifton is blissfully windless year-round. This of course means that Camps Bay beach crowds tend to migrate to sheltered Clifton beaches on windy days, so you will rarely be able to enjoy the idyllic landscape to yourself. Beware that Atlantic Ocean water is freezing cold year round and you will be mad to swim to get into the ocean unless it is for a 2-second dip!

Bantry Bay is next door to Clifton on the way to Fresnaye and Sea Point. It does not have own beaches, but Clifton beaches are accessible within 5 minutes drive. The views are fabulous and wind mild. This is a somewhat more economical alternative to Clifton, with prices for properties being slightly above Camps Bay level.