Background:
I spent five formative years in Hillcrest, attending Hillcrest High School, before relocating to Pietermaritzburg—just 50 minutes away. Only in hindsight did I come to fully appreciate the elegance, aura, and quiet standard of life that defines this area.
It wasn’t until the first week of April 2025—seven years after matriculating—that I stumbled upon a place I’d never heard of before: Everton.
Tucked deep within the Gillitts and Upper Highway forests, Everton revealed itself like a dream I hadn’t known I was missing. The homes were breath-taking—mind-numbing, even—each one a masterpiece of architecture and intentional living. Surreal. Serene. Silent in a way that spoke volumes.
Kudos to my best friend and brother from Hillcrest, Mr. Ayathola Shabane, for continuously exposing me to new experiences around Hillcrest whenever I visit.
Article Edited by ChatGBT
Everton: The Slopes of Quiet Wealth
In Everton, the air is quieter than most places. Not silent, no—but rich with the sounds of well-fed birds, distant fountains, and the soft hum of electric gates sliding open like secrets being told. The homes here aren’t just homes—they’re statements, often hidden behind long, tree-lined driveways and manicured hedges that were once wild but are now tamed by landscapers with quiet eyes and sharp tools.
The people of Everton are not idle. Their days are full—but full in a curated way, like art galleries arranged just so.
What They Spend Their Money On
They spend discreetly but deliberately—on:
- Home Improvements: Infinity pools, solar systems, and kitchen upgrades that blend Cape Dutch aesthetics with European minimalism.
- Education: Private schools that teach Latin and robotics. Tutors in Mandarin and coding. Termly fees that would build small houses elsewhere.
- Wellness and Health: Pilates instructors who arrive in black SUVs, private chefs who speak softly, nutritionists, and imported supplements stored in fridges as pristine as laboratories.
- Travel and Experiences: Wine tours in Stellenbosch, art fairs in London, spiritual retreats in Bali. But always returning to Everton, where the garden blooms all year.
- Security and Privacy: State-of-the-art alarm systems, 24/7 patrol vehicles, and community WhatsApp groups that pulse with both caution and care.
What They Talk About
Their conversations often dance between the global and the hyperlocal:
- The volatility of international markets.
- The cost of installing boreholes versus water tanks.
- A new art gallery opening in Umhlanga.
- Which architect is best for a home cinema extension.
- The school headmaster’s latest speech on principles and integrity.
But also—more intimately:
- The worry of raising grounded children in abundance.
- The recent divorce on Oak Tree Lane, whispered like a confession.
- The gardener who left unexpectedly after ten years.
What They Believe
- Everton’s residents are shaped by a mix of legacy, aspiration, and curated spirituality:
- They believe in legacy over luxury—what they leave behind matters as much as how they live.
- They believe success should be understated, preferably worn in linen and never shouted about.
- They believe in community, but at arm’s length—a WhatsApp group is enough.
- They believe in health as wealth, in mindfulness, in morning routines, in vision boards, and in sage burning—though some still attend church on Sunday.
What They Do During the Day
- Some run consulting firms from their home offices, where Zoom calls begin with “Sorry, the dogs were barking.”
- Others are entrepreneurs in property, tech, or bespoke services—quiet empires built on years of shrewd decisions.
- A few are retired, but active: volunteering, painting, or hosting book clubs with themes like "Women Who Run With the Wolves."
- Many manage households like CEOs: domestic workers, drivers, tutors, chefs—coordinated with calendars and kindness.
And Always—A Slowness
Time in Everton moves gently. There's urgency in their lives—but not in their afternoons. The lawns are always green. The coffee is always organic. And behind the stillness of it all, there’s an unspoken agreement:
We worked hard to arrive here. Let’s not rush through it.
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