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Author: Century 21 South Africa, 30 June 2022,
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Why Cape Town is popular with semigrants

Home is where the heart is, and sometimes that's where the greener pastures are. If you're looking for an enhanced quality of life, you share the ideals of many semigrants locally and internationally. Many are pushing forward with plans to move from one place to another, driven by various factors. Cape Town, popularly known as the semigration capital of South Africa, is at the top of the list for those after an idyllic lifestyle.

Who is semigrating to Cape Town?

The city's vibrant spirit has a magnetic pull for tourists and home-makers alike. While semigration is nothing new, Cape Town has seen increased interest since the boom in remote working. Here are some of the people are choosing Cape Town:

  • Families driven by the need for spacious properties close to well-respected schools.
  • Working professionals moving for Cape Town's career opportunities, live-work-play lifestyle, and remote working potential.
  • International investors who can buy a luxury property in a world-class city at a fraction of the cost at home. Some are "swallow" buyers looking to spend six months of the year here while others are relocating permanently.
  • Retirees following their semigrating families or actively moving to the city that offers excellent healthcare, a comfortable climate, and 'holiday living' all year round. 

A common trend is for those new to the city to rent for a short period, suss out the best suburb for themselves, and then purchase a home. 

Reasons for Cape Town semigration

With a thriving property market, it's clear that Cape Town is a choice destination for those looking to put down roots. Here's why:

Work opportunities: Cape Town offers the opportunity to escape the rat race and work in a city with a great work/leisure balance. On average, Cape Town-based workers enjoy a far higher salary than in other local cities. It offers career growth in industries such as media and advertising, IT, manufacturing, and tourism. With lots of office space, you can even start your own business. The city also provides wonderful remote working facilities. 

Good governance: Residents also appreciate the efficient service delivery rendered by the municipality. Ratings Afrika has found the City of Cape Town to be one of the best-performing municipalities in the Western Cape. It also ranks highly on News24's Out of Order Index which scrutinises financials, unemployment, poverty, and basic service delivery to households.

Safety: Cape Town is generally a safe city, and measures are in place to help ensure the security of residents. Across suburbs, you'll find local community watches and patrols. The City of Cape Town has also rolled out CCTV cameras and set aside funds to curb the vandalism of critical energy infrastructure sites. 

Amenities: Cape Town's stellar living experience is courtesy of a great range of amenities. Top schools include Grove Primary, Westerford High School, and Parklands College. Quality healthcare can be found at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, Netcare N1 City Hospital, and Groote Schuur Hospital. The city is known for being a culinary mecca, boasting lauded eateries such as La Colombe Restaurant. 

Lifestyle: As a sought-after tourist haunt, you can enjoy all the fun activities Cape Town has to offer. From hiking Table Mountain, kayaking around Sea Point, shopping at the V&A Waterfront, visiting a museum or art gallery, or dining out, your options are endless.

Thriving property market: Cape Town's soaring property prices ensure you'll make a good investment whether you're looking for a forever home, rental property, or place to retire. The semigration trend has fueled interest in the city, ensuring well-priced properties are snapped up eagerly. There are plenty of options from apartments to freestanding houses.

With so much on offer, it's time to take the next step as a semigrant. For that, seek the services of expert property practitioners in the area. 

Semigrate to Cape Town effortlessly

Century 21 City Bowl has helped semigrants make an easy transition to their new homes in the Mother City. View our properties for sale or properties to let, and get in touch with our team today.