Real estate agents around the country are reporting interesting changes in property dynamics as people are becoming increasing disillusioned with city living. Crime, pollution and a lack of community are facts of life for many city dwellers, as are high property prices, crowded suburbs and frequent stock shortages.
Simon’s Town is one such suburb, and the Rawson Property Group’s co-franchisees for the area, Cathy Baker and Leon Bosman, have both acknowledged that the demographics are changing.
“It started in Fish Hoek,” says Baker, “but the whole area is now moving away from being a retirement and holiday district, and becoming a place where young professionals are raising their families.”
According to Bosman, this trend is certain to continue to grow, as more businesses move away from traditional office environments and embrace partial to total work-from-home solutions. “It’s not just local commuters moving in,” he adds. “We’re seeing families come from as far as Johannesburg, where one spouse will commute back to work there on a weekly basis.”
“It’s not surprising, really,” explains Baker, “when you compare the quality of life in Simon’s Town to that of most city suburbs. Here, it’s like living in a seaside village – you’re always within walking distance of the ocean, the mountains are right there, and children still ride their bicycles in the road – but you’re also close to major shops, plenty of restaurants and all the nightlife you could want. Our crime is comparatively low, and largely of a petty nature rather than violent, and there’s a wonderful community spirit that adds a special something to the atmosphere.”
“You also get better value for your money in Simon’s Town,” adds Bosman. Properties range from R2 million to R15 million in Simon’s Town proper, averaging at around R3 – R3.5 million depending on size, condition and number of bedrooms. More entry-level properties are available in satellite suburbs like Welcome Glen, ranging from R900k to R1.8 million. “To compare,” says Bosman, “the same properties in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs would cost 30% to 40% more.”
Gordon’s Bay, on the opposite side of False Bay to Simon’s Town, is seeing a similar increase in commuter families, although with less of an obvious effect on the town’s overall demographics.
“There have always been people who commute from Gordon’s Bay to Cape Town,” says Wouter Joubert, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee in the area, “but it’s definitely increasing in popularity as Cape Town’s property prices become almost unrealistically high. It also helps that there is a luxury train running from Strand into Cape Town now, so public transport has become a much more comfortable option.”
According to Joubert, the ability to buy a very nice three bedroom, two bathroom, double-garage home for under R1.5 million is a huge draw for many of the families moving to Gordon’s Bay from major metropolitan areas. “You can buy a two bedroom apartment from R300 000, and gorgeous mountainside properties top out at around R6 million – it’s about 40% cheaper than Cape Town,” he says.
As for the lifestyle, Joubert describes it as much more relaxed – like a holiday town. “There is a lot to do, especially for families,” he points out, listing attractions like Harbour Island, Bikini Beach, the Old Harbour and all the wonderful natural surroundings. “It’s not hard to imagine how appealing that would be for someone used to living in a built-up city suburb.”
Langebaan, on the Cape West Coast is also seeing an increase in young families moving in. Sandra-Lee Lotze, the Rawson Property Group’s Langebaan franchisee, attributes this largely to the comparative safety and natural lifestyle the town offers.
“Young couples want their kids to grow up in the purity of our awesome town,” she explains, “so if they can, why wouldn’t they choose to live here and commute to the city when necessary?”
While Lotze acknowledges that the popularity of Langebaan as a holiday destination has increased its prices a little, she definitely believes there is still value for money to be had. “Properties range from R765 000 to R7.7 million depending on type and location,” she says, “so it’s still much cheaper than many parts of Cape Town, and the lifestyle is just beyond comparison.”
Whether it’s the lower property prices, the lifestyle benefits, or simply the increasing viability of working from home, there is no denying that Cape Town’s seaside towns are luring buyers away from central city suburbs. What the effect of this will be on the market in the long term remains to be seen.
For further information visit www.rawson.co.za
