Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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When I first came to Johannesburg, I stayed in Atholl, then after a few months we moved to Parkhurst. It is quite incredible now to sit in a restaurant and see how popular it is, a huge suburb with lots of small houses commanding prices of R3 to R4 million. It was anything but popular when I came to Johannesburg and I went to Hyde Park High School. In fact, I was teased quite often as living in a very poor suburb and I have never forgotten how one boy in my class said to me, “Atholl to Parkhurst! Talk about a drop in society!” It was an atrociously bad school academically and if there is one good move I have made in life, it was leaving the school.
I think I was the only person at Hyde Park High School, at that time, who lived in Parkhurst, or at least the only one who admitted it, and so it is quite amazing to see that 25 years later, give or take a few years, it is an incredibly trendy and popular suburb, as it has been for quite some time now. Personally, I don’t think it is the safest suburb, I don’t think it should command the prices that it does, but I am happy that the “dump” where I living has now transformed itself – even though, if the truth be told, the streets, the shops and the houses really have not changed that much. It is still pretty much the same place – in fact, all that has changed, is Hyde Park High School and its pupil composition.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 19-Dec-14
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Comments
Liesl said:
on Tuesday 06-Jan-15 09:44 AM
Perhaps people need to realize that wealth is not only money but also possessing things that money cannot buy
Jade said:
on Monday 05-Jan-15 08:29 AM
It astounds me how people can be so petty and cruel about where someone lives etc.
Parkhurst has some really nice restaurants especially to go to for brunch with friends, and the shops are interesting as well.
Joyce said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 11:47 AM
It sounds like there is good and bad changes in Parkhurst
Elektra said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 10:58 AM
I grew up on a farm, and I don't care what anyone has or had to say about where or how I was brought up, it has made me who I am today, and I am grateful that I was not brought up in a snobby suburb.
Kaylee said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 09:06 AM
I could go on and on about how much I love Parkhurst. I am always shocked when people say they actually don't know where Parkhurst is! It's pretty much a place you can go any day of the week and have a great evening. Friday night drinks at Espresso are must, breakfast at Nice on a Saturday and Rocket on a Saturday afternoon! Some of the other places are great too! In terms of safety, I have a few friends who live in the area but I haven't heard any complaints so I am not sure how the safety is, I do however know that the property values are extremely high and it's expensive to live in the area. I think Parkhurst is similar to how Melville used to be, but hopefully Parkhurst remains trendy and doesn't take a dive!
Juliet said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 08:48 AM
Some of the restaurants there are nice but recently we went for lunch at the one and they don't take cards!! You have to pay cash, and their ATM was empty. So we had to walk all the way down the street to an ATM then back to pay and the manager was quite rude about it ie like why didn't we have cash on us. Um, it is dangerous to carry cash and not everyone in the world knows how your silly little restaurant operates. Very snobbish and all the people dolled up to the height of pretentiousness. Nice enough place but I would not make a special trip out there again
Anna said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 08:45 AM
Society hasn't changed at all in the last 25 years...people are still judged on what area they live in, what car they drive, what school they went to and what career they have chosen to follow. Sadly, these pre-conceived notions are formed in the minds of children by their parents and it really should stop. What you have today really can disappear overnight!
Regarding the Parkhurst of today, it's a wonderful, vibey and cosmopolitan village that I enjoy shopping in and eating at. There was a slightly unsavoury incident about 2 weeks ago though....a man hit a woman (yes a woman!!!) in Rocket and a good old fashioned punch up followed in the street. Perhaps eating on the patio at home is a safer option!
david said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 08:20 AM
i also used to live in parkhurst. i was lucky though, and went to greenside high. at one stage i knew at least 1 person on every single street. i used to love living there. went past the other day, and it has certainly become a lot busier. looks to me like it's lost its soul. not that i could afford to, but if i could, i certainly wouldn't choose to live there anymore...
Nikita said:
on Friday 19-Dec-14 08:20 AM
I love all the little restaurants in Parkhurst! Personally I would go to a little place in Parkhurst before I would go to a restaurant in Fourways/ Sandton.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
