Bloemfontein Central, Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein, pronounced 'Bloom-fon-tayn', means 'fountains of flowers' in Afrikaans, which is the dominant language in the area. Bloem, as the locals call it, is one of the three capital cities of South Africa and is the capital of the Free State province. Home to approximately 520,000 residents, the area is growing in popularity and homes are becoming more and more in demand. Bloemfontein has some magnificent properties with beautiful surroundings and is a lovely place to raise a family.

A brief history of the area

Bloemfontein was the original farm of Johannes Nicolaas Brits born 21 February 1790, owner and first inhabitant of Bloemfontein. Johannes sold the farm to British Army major, Henry Douglas Warden, who officially founded the area in 1846 as a fort. From 1902 to 1910 it served as the capital of the Orange River Colony before becoming the Judicial capital of the Union of South Africa.

Distance from key points

Residents can make their way to Bram Fischer International Airport within 25 minutes (17,3 km) via the N8. A trip to Johannesburg will take roughly 3 hours and 55 minutes (397,2 km) via the N1 and driving to Durban will be around 6 hours and 48 minutes (634,8 km) via the N5 and N3.

Climate

Bloemfontein experiences a semi-arid climate which means hot summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest month of the year in Bloemfontein is January, with an average high of 29,4°C while the coldest month is June with an average low of -1,7°C. In a year, the average rainfall is approximately 545 mm.

Schools in the area

Bloemfontein has some wonderful schools to enrol your kids in. Some of the top primary schools include Laerskool Bloemfontein, Brebner Primary School, Onze Rust Primary School, Primêre Skool Jim Fouché and Eunice Primary School. High schools to look into include Eunice High School, Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Hoërskool Bloemfontein, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Hoërskool Sentraal and Brebner High School. If you're interested in a combined school option, then have a look at St Andrew's School, Bloemfontein and St. Michael's School For Girls.

Healthcare in the area

When choosing an area to live in, knowing which hospitals are closest to you is essential. There are top hospitals in Bloemfontein for your peace of mind. Life Rosepark Hospital, Universitas Private Hospital, Cure Day Hospitals Bloemfontein, Life Pasteur Hospital, EmoyaMed Private Hospital and Busamed Bram Fischer Private Hospital are all wonderful options within the area. 

For general check-ups and medication you could go to Citymed Day Hospital, Mediclinic Bloemfontein, Medicross Bloemfontein, Medical Centre Mimosa, Free State Medical Center or Molutsi Health Clinic. If it's your pet that requires medical attention, you could take them to Bayswater Veterinary Clinic, Fichardt Park Animal Clinic or Vets@Haldon Animal Hospital.

Shopping centres

There are plenty of shopping malls in Bloemfontein for you to get all the retail therapy you need whether it's for jewellery, clothing, groceries or electronics. Some of the best shopping centres include Fleurdal Mall, Mimosa Mall Bloemfontein, Bloem Plaza, Middestad Mall, Twin City Mall and The Towers.

Restaurants

When you'd love to go out and get a bite to eat, Bloemfontein's food scene will be sure to tantalise your tastebuds. The area has great restaurants that never cease to impress. Key places to try include New York Restaurant Bloemfontein, The Blue Gem, Longhorn Grill Steak House, Margaritas Restaurant, Bella Casa, LEjiT Lekker Restaurant, Galaxy Sport Restaurant, Kerdoni's and Boho Bistro.

Special attractions

When moving to a new area, you want to know the activities and special attractions the town offers. Bloemfontein is rich with excursion options for the whole family to enjoy. Here are a few of the best ones to explore:

If you are interested in history, beauty or both, you will definitely want to take a trip to the Oliewenhuis Art Museum.

Naval Hill Planetarium offers it's guests an immersive digital experience from the smallest atomic particles to the largest cosmological scales. 

Elude Escape Rooms is a fun, real-life version of the 'Who Dunnit' games everyone in the family will get a kick out of playing.

Make Bloemfontein your home. Let it be your story.

Bloemfontein is a clean, safe and family-orientated area with loads to do and see. The area is perfect for any family, big or small, to lay down roots. Seeff has a wide variety of properties for you to choose from whether you're looking for an apartment, townhouse or freestanding home, so contact one of our property practitioners today.