The R500 000 homes of the West Rand, where it’s cheaper to buy than rent

Tucked in Roodepoort on the West Rand, you’ll find Grobler Park.

The average sectional title in the area sells for R600 000, with more than a handful of homes on sale for under R500 000.

Are they worth it?

The perfect suburb for your first home

Young South Africans are frequently asked why they rent when they can buy. But very few areas have a bond that’s comparable to rent.

Grobler Park is an exception.

Sectional titles in the area start at R400 000.

According to the newest Grobler Park listing on Private Property, a buyer can purchase a 2-bedroom flat in a security complex for R400 000. Municipal rates on this home are R292, and levies are R742.

With a bond, the total cost of homeownership for a property like this in Grobler Park is R5 000.

But it’s not limited to one listing.

Grobler Park has more than half a dozen properties listed below R500 000.

Typically, these are 2-bedroom properties.

Occasionally, a 3-bedroom property will become available in this price range.

All have reasonable rates and levies. The average for both rates and levies is between R1 000 and R1 500.

Family homes in the area start at R770 000.

How does renting compare to owning in Grobler Park?

Rent on a 2-bedroom flat starts at R5 500, roughly 8% more than you would pay to own the same residence.

This at least offers buyers some return should they decide to move, as they can still benefit from higher rents.

But selling up when you’re ready to move on from Grobler Park won’t be easy.  

In September, despite 270 residential listings, Grobler Park recorded 4 sales.

Property prices, like much of Gauteng, have also stagnated in Grobler Park.

In 2017, the average sale price was R580 000. By the end of 2025, it was R630 000.

But if your goal is to have a place you own that you call home, Grobler Park still has the perfect family vibe.

Raising a family in Grobler Park

Data from the South African Deeds Registry shows most buyers in Grobler Park are between 36 and 49, followed by buyers under 35.

The area is full of young families who can benefit from great feeder schools.

For primary schools, there’s Constantia Kloof Primary School and Laërskool Dr Havinga, where school fees start at R18 000 a year.

For high school, parents have half a dozen choices, including Hoërskool Die Adelaar and Hoërskool Roodepoort; both schools perform better than other high schools in the area.

However, traffic can become quite severe when driving east to Sandton during peak periods. A 43-kilometre trip that should take 50 minutes in light traffic conditions can take up to two hours.