Garden Route Boom: Families & professionals drive new growth

• Semigration from Gauteng and major metros is still driving demand as families and professionals seek safer, lifestyle-focused coastal living.
• Property prices have surged, with strong demand across George, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay estates and family suburbs.
• Infrastructure, schools, healthcare, airport access and remote work trends now support permanent relocation beyond holidays and retirement.

From holiday escape to permanent home choice

‍The Garden Route is rapidly transforming from a seasonal holiday and retirement destination into one of South Africa’s fastest-growing permanent residential regions.

According to Pieter Jordaan, licensee for Seeff George, the region is seeing a sustained influx of families, entrepreneurs and professionals, many relocating from Gauteng and other congested metros in search of safety, lifestyle balance and better quality of living.

Remote and hybrid work models have accelerated this shift, allowing professionals to live outside traditional economic hubs while remaining fully connected to national and global markets.

Over the past five years, this demand has pushed average property values up by roughly 35%, with Knysna recording price growth of around 70% and Plettenberg Bay effectively doubling median prices.

The attraction is clear: minimal traffic, good schools, modern healthcare, regional shopping centres, efficient municipalities, outdoor lifestyle appeal and access to beaches, golf estates and natural beauty — all within a functioning regional economy.

George: The Economic engine of the Garden Route

George has emerged as the commercial heart of the region, recording roughly R3 billion in property transactions over the past year.

Demand remains strong while stock shortages persist due to slow development approvals and construction delays, supporting continued price growth.

Key residential growth areas and estates include:

• Kingswood Golf Estate
• Welgelegen Estate
• Earls Court
• Kraaibosch Country Estate
• Fancourt Estate, where luxury homes regularly exceed R15 million

Rental demand has also surged, with monthly rentals ranging from R5,500 for sectional titles to R40,000 for premium homes, and significantly higher within Fancourt.

George now offers a more affordable alternative to Cape Town while delivering comparable lifestyle benefits.

Mossel Bay: Lifestyle and investment appeal

Mossel Bay continues to attract retirees, holiday investors and increasingly permanent residents.

Property transactions remain ahead of pre-pandemic levels, supported by tourism growth and lifestyle appeal.

Popular surrounding areas include:

• Groot Brak River
• Klein Brak River
• Hartenbos
• Dana Bay

Average property prices sit around R2.3 million, with most homes trading between R1.5 million and R4 million. Premium estates like Pinnacle Point command prices between R5 million and R10 million and beyond.

Knysna: Lagoon living fuels demand

Knysna’s appeal remains centred on its lagoon lifestyle, waterfront living and established residential estates.

Transactions over the past year total approximately R2.2 billion, with average property prices around R3.7 million.

High-demand areas include:

• Thesen Islands
• Pezula Golf Estate
• Simola Golf Estate
• Eastford Estate
• Leisure Isle
• Belvidere Estate

Nearly 30% of homes are now valued above R5 million, with prime properties at The Heads exceeding R10 million.

Plettenberg Bay: Luxury market leader

Plettenberg Bay continues to dominate the Garden Route luxury segment.

Prices have effectively doubled in five years, driven by affluent buyers seeking coastal homes for both permanent residence and leisure use.

Plett now ranks just behind Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard for top-end coastal property values.

Key estates and luxury areas include:

• Brackenridge Estate
• Schoongezicht
• Whale Rock Ridge
• Turtle Creek
• Athina
• Duin en See

Luxury sales regularly exceed R10 million, with premium beachfront properties surpassing R20 million. Nearly 40% of properties in the town are now valued above R3 million.

The road ahead for the Garden Route

The Garden Route’s transition into a full-scale residential and economic growth corridor is well underway.

Continued semigration, infrastructure investment, remote work adoption and lifestyle demand are expected to sustain growth across all major towns. However, supply constraints, infrastructure planning and municipal efficiency will play critical roles in maintaining sustainable expansion.

For investors and homebuyers, the opportunity remains strong, but the window for value entry is narrowing as demand continues to outpace supply.

The Garden Route is no longer just a destination, it is becoming a permanent home for South Africa’s next wave of coastal living.

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