Four ways you can appeal to teenagers on a residential estate

Residential estates are a great place to live for people of all ages, but sometimes teenagers can feel a little left out. This is especially true if the estate doesn’t offer amenities that cater to their age group. However, with a little bit of effort, residential estates can easily appeal to teenagers and make them feel more at home. 

We chat with a few property experts to explore some tips for how residential estates can appeal to teenagers and create a more welcoming environment for them. 

1. Create teen-friendly spaces and amenities 

One of the easiest ways to appeal to teenagers is by creating spaces that are designed specifically for them. For example, if there’s a community centre or clubhouse on the estate, consider dedicating a room or area that’s designed for teenagers. This could include comfortable seating, gaming systems, or even a pool table. 

Another great option is to create outdoor spaces that are designed for teenagers. For example, you could create a basketball court, a skate park, or even an outdoor movie theatre. These spaces will not only give teenagers a place to hang out with their friends, but they’ll also help them stay active and engaged. 

‘Community or lifestyle centres, games rooms, gyms, and sporting facilities like biking trails, tennis courts, and communal swimming pools are all great amenities for teens to get together. A good example of an estate that has done this well is Stonehurst Estate in the Western Cape,’ says David Burger and Stephan Thomas, Secure Estate Specialists for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in Constantiaberg.  

‘This is a shining example of a family estate that caters to all ages, with active older kids having the option of using the well-kitted out gym, training pool, and resident’s lounge,’ they continue. 

2. Don’t put on special social events 

You would think that offering social events and programs that cater to teenage interests would be beneficial but in fact, it can be a turn-off.  

An estate that we spoke to explained that their previous attempts to set up for instance a dance for teenagers living on their estate as part of their holiday had literally no attendance. The main reason is that teens are likely to want to go ‘partying’ away from their parents and with friends who may not live on the estate. Depending on their age, alcohol is probably going to be a big draw card, and the lack of it on an estate could be a big turn-off.  

If you are thinking of events outside of the party realm, then make sure you are advertising in a way that’s appealing to teenagers. For example, you could use social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, or even create a newsletter that’s specifically targeted towards teenagers. 

3. Create a safe and welcoming environment 

Teenagers want to feel safe and welcome in their community, so it’s important to create an environment that’s designed with their needs in mind. This could include things like well-lit streets and pathways, security cameras, and free Wi-Fi in public spaces.  

‘A completely secure environment within easy walking distance so teens can safely enjoy their independence is so important,’ says Burger and Thomas.  

It’s also important to make sure that the estate’s rules and policies about alcohol and other substance usage is clearly communicated to teenagers. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure in their community and aware of the repercussions of falling foul of the HOA rules.  

In most cases, estate managers will opt to refer matters regarding drug use to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and let them deal with the matter rather than get involved personally.  

4. Foster a sense of community  

Finally, it’s important to foster a sense of community within a residential estate so that teenagers feel more connected to their neighbours. This could include things like creating a community garden or even organising a book club for youngsters.  

Many teenagers develop interests in the humanitarian sphere and are keen on making a difference in their communities, so another great option is to provide opportunities for community service. This could include things like organizing a community clean-up day, participating in a food drive, or even volunteering at a local animal shelter. 

By creating these types of opportunities, you’ll not only give teenagers a chance to give back to their local community, but you’ll also help them develop important skills like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.