5 homes in South Africa with insane waterfront views

The pandemic has reshaped South Africa’s property landscape, city dwellers are moving to suburbia, choosing more living space over gridlock and a sea view for Zoom meetings, says Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.

This semigration has seen many smaller towns in South Africa begin to flourish, thanks to a growing economy, many of which are located near the ocean. “Semigrating reaps untold benefits for the local economies. Due to the increase in supply and demand, small businesses have the opportunity to serve a growing local community,” said the estate agent.

Geffen said that many small rural towns, especially in the Western Cape province in South Africa, have seen the number of permanent residents increase. Houses are cheap compared to the city, there’s zero traffic noise, we walk everywhere, and there’s less stress and almost no crime, apart from the occasional petty theft. It’s a simple, peaceful way of life.

“The Winelands has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with those who seek a more sedate country lifestyle but still need easy access to the Central Business District and airport as well as families who are attracted by a better choice of good schools than many small towns,” says Geffen.

“The Cape’s West Coast is also attracting a lot of attention at the moment because villages like Langebaan and Yzerfontein offer the ‘quintessential seaside lifestyle’ whilst still being a fairly short commuter distance from Cape Town.”

Those who no longer need to be city-based for work and if you follow what technology giants like Twitter and Spotify are doing, the option of remote is now permanent are opting for safer, more relaxing lifestyles in smaller towns or villages.

“It’s a gloriously peaceful and simple way of life, while still being able to stay connected to our jobs in the Big Smoke. Funnily enough, we talk more often to our friends and family than we did when we lived around the corner from them, and when we visit, we spend more quality time. People also love coming to visit,” said Geffen.

Here are five homes for sale by Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, with spectacular views of either the ocean or river.