Hillcrest, South Africa

Hillcrest is a rapidly growing suburb that's been swept up in Durban's urban sprawl. While the town once had a sleepy village vibe, it's now home to a population of nearly 3,000 and a building boom that's seen the construction of numerous shopping centers and gated communities. The town's rural origins are still evident, but Hillcrest has lost its independent status and is now administered by the larger eThekwini Municipality. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the town's waste water treatment plant only serving the central commercial area as of the 1990s. For those seeking a quieter lifestyle on the outskirts of Durban, Hillcrest may fit the bill, but the rapid development has come at the cost of some of the town's original charm.