Seeff offers tips for remote workers looking to relocate to small towns in South Africa
Do you wish you could take a walk outside in the evening without fearing for your safety? Or attend work meetings via Zoom in the fresh air, with nothing but green hills and the distant ocean for a view? If you’re working remotely, the world is your oyster, and there’s no better time to relocate to a small town in South Africa if you want convenience, safety, and greater quality of life.
If you’re contemplating a move to a coastal town, you’ll be pleased to know that South Africa has a wealth of small country and coastal towns to choose from. They’re only rising in popularity. In fact, 2021 data from Lightstone reveals that around 44% of homeowners relocated to smaller towns from Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape between 26% - 30% and then Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Relocating to a Small Town in South Africa
Small towns in South Africa have much to offer. Aside from water sports, these coastal havens present a fantastic outdoor lifestyle reminiscent of living in the countryside. Between golf, cycling, walking trails, and beach fun, these small towns in South Africa give you and your loved ones a chance to get outside and enjoy the fresh air - safely.
However, relocating is still a significant decision. Samuel Seeff, chairman of Seeff Property Group, recommends that you consider the following questions before packing your bags and moving your family to one of these appealing small towns:
- Can you work away from your place of employment? If your company is fully remote, that is great. But if they expect you to come into the office or meet with clients in-person and frequently, this could be at odds with your coastal lifestyle.
- Is there good infrastructure? Consider internet access, school systems, hospitals and medical facilities, and transport. Are these systems well-maintained, or likely to cause you problems and jeopardise your remote working routine?
- Is the remote place a sound investment? Consider the condition of the property you want to buy and the area surrounding it. You want the asset to increase in value over time if you ever decide to sell it, so you need to choose wisely.
- Are you close to methods of public transport? You might be living in a small coastal town, but you’re not living in a vacuum away from civilisation. You’ll want to ensure that you’re between 45 minutes to an hour's drive from the nearest airport in case of emergencies.
Popular Small Towns in South Africa for Remote Workers
Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay are all rising hotspots for remote workers eager to explore the coastal lifestyle and leave the inland experience behind.
Seeff has also observed the following areas attract semigration buyers:
- Hermanus. Remains popular with out-of-towners, who now make up 70% of all sales, according to Paul Kruger, licensee for Seeff Hermanus.
The town is a hotspot for remote workers and semigrating families who enjoy the cosmopolitan coastal lifestyle, access to the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley, and top-class facilities with great schools.
Although prices can reach the higher end of the millions for a luxury home, you will be pleased to know that there are still apartments from around R1 million and houses from around R1,8 million.
- Langebaan. Only an hour from Cape Town, Langebaan is a popular weekend bolthole and second home destination for Capetonians, says Jaco Coetzee, a senior agent from Seeff West Coast.
Langebaan serves as an ideal base for remote workers, given its proximity to Cape Town, Saldanha, and Vredenburg. According to Seeff, sales are “booming”. You can find fabulous apartments in Mykonos for around R900,000 and houses for around R1,7 million.
- Struisbaai/Agulhas. This area is more secluded, but its white-washed fisherman architecture and location on the southernmost point of the African continent are its pride and joy. Richard Pratt, Seeff’s manager for Struisbaai, reports that the market is doing well.
Although prices have reached as much as R5,1m in Agulhas and R8,5m in Struisbaai, you can still find apartments from R1,2 million and houses from around R2 million, often with stunning sea views or close to the sublime sun-kissed beaches.
- Amanzimtoti, Pennington, Ramsgate and Margate. These small towns along the Mid-South and Hibiscus Coast are also attracting attention from upcountry buyers and even those who work in Durban.
The good news is that prices are more accessible here, and the proximity to Durban and the King Shaka International Airport are important contributors to the demand, says Ms Jo Giraudeau, Operations Manager for Seeff KZN Mid-South Coast.
For under R1,5 million, you can buy a small house in Pennington, a three-bedroomed townhouse in Amanzimtoti, or a three-bedroomed apartment or townhouse with a private garden in Ramsgate or Margate.
Ms Giraudeau also reports that great schools and facilities are on offer, including golf in Pennington with two superb 18-hole courses (Umdoni and Selborne), the 9-hole course in Penn Valley, mountain biking trails at Rocky Bay, and even horse riding at Umdoni and more.
For families with children, these activities will be a drawcard.
Are you ready to begin house-hunting in a gorgeous coastal town in South Africa? Get in touch with our Property Practitioners for expert guidance, as they possess the area knowledge and market insight to advise you on the best decision for you and your family.
If you are looking for a space to run a small business remotely, you might like to read our blog on buying WFA Property for home and work.
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