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Country towns flourish as semigration trend grows
The move towards “semigration” is growing in SA and boosting
the demand for property in many country towns.
The term semigration (from semi-emigration) refers to those who seek
a better quality of life away from urban grime, crime, congestion and
stress, but who are not prepared to leave South Africa.
“And anecdotal evidence suggests that many small, lesser-known
towns of the various provinces are now benefiting from this trend, which
is at variance with the reports of a new brain drain from the country,”
says Realnet property group CEO Tjaart van der Walt.
“Recent problems with electricity supply and political changes
have arguably catalysed the trend and while power and other problems
are being encountered everywhere in SA, seemingly a quieter, less crime-ridden,
less congested way of life in smaller towns is sufficient compensation
for many people.”
Various factors are contributing to the semigration trend, he says,
the widespread perception of rising crime, notwithstanding police statistics
to the contrary, probably being top of the list.
“Consequently buyers in the quieter country centres cover a wide
range of ages and income groups, including young executives who have
already made their mark in the business world and are prepared to commute
or run ‘virtual’ businesses, and middle-aged ‘retirees’
from the corporate world who are buying or starting up entrepreneurial
businesses in their new home towns.
“Others are artists and craftsmen who are flocking to be part
of flourishing new or established artists’ communities such as
those in Dullstroom in Mpumalanga, Tzaneen in Limpopo and Clarens in
the Free State.”
Van der Walt says new developments on the Vaal and around Hartbeespoort
dam are also clear beneficiaries of the semigration trend, as are the
towns of the East Rand, Grahamstown and the charming town of Graaff
Reinet in the Eastern Cape, and Paarl, Wellington, Riebeeck Kasteel
and Darling in the Western Cape.
“And many other towns along the coast that used only to be holiday
destinations are now also experiencing a sharp rise in the number of
permanent residents keen to enjoy a better quality of life year-round.”
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Newsletter:
3 February 2012 to 10 February 2012 - Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa
