Garden Route attracts more families and professionals beyond holidays and retirement

The Garden Route is no longer just about holidays and retirement, but has seen a tremendous influx of families and professionals in recent years as they search for a safer, quality lifestyle, according to Pieter Jordaan, licensee for Seeff George. Consequently, property values have surged by around 35.5% on average over 5 years, with areas such as Knysna seeing a 70% rise in median prices, and 100% in Plettenberg Bay.

The area has become the perfect alternative to busy metros, offering almost no traffic and a laid-back lifestyle, yet with access to good schools, an airport, a regional mall, top hospitals and medical care, and sought-after retirement facilities. The areas are clean, and generally well managed. The coastal lifestyle is a big drawcard, featuring beautiful blue flag beaches, marinas, spectacular scenery and natural attractions.

The Garden Route is a golfer’s paradise with estates such as Fancourt (Goerge), Pezula (Knysna), Pinnacle Point (Mossel Bay), Simola (Knysna), and Oubaai and Kingswood (George), and Goose Valley (Plettenberg Bay) seeing top prices paid for luxury homes. The tremendous growth of lifestyle and security estates which are a big drawcard for semigration buyers, is also seeing prices increasingly paid upwards of R5m to over R10m and higher in some estates.

George – Commercial Centre of the Garden Route

The City of George property market is thriving, recording R3b in property transactions for the year ending September, per Lightstone data. Average prices have grown over 30% in three years, fuelled by strong demand, limited supply, and ongoing stock shortages. Jordaan notes that development delays will likely keep inventory tight.

The city is highly sought after for its excellent quality of life, mild climate, scenic beaches, reputable schools, and top golf courses. With robust local businesses and infrastructure, including hospitals and a regional mall, George has become a preferred semigration destination, offering a more affordable alternative to Cape Town for families and professionals.

Top performing estates are increasingly seeing prices over R5m to R10m, such as Kingswood, Welgelegen, Earls Court and Kraaibosch Country Estate. Fancourt achieves the highest prices upwards of R15m. Jordaan says rentals are also in high demand, boosted by semigration. Rates range from R5,500 (sectional titles) to R40,000 on average for high-end houses, but can go to R75,000 per month in Fancourt.

Mossel Bay – Top Choice for Retirees and Holiday Investors

Mossel Bay has seen excellent sales over the last few years, driven by an influx of people due to the lifestyle, safety, and tourism. Herman Spies, sales manager for Seeff Mossel Bay, says investing in property has proven to be a good investment as the town has been one of the top performing areas over five years. Overall transactions for the year are still ahead of the pre-pandemic period, standing on R2.4b for the 12-months to the end of November 2025.

Aside from the town itself, there are several areas such as Groot Brak, Klein Brak, Hartenbos, and Dana Bay, which are all popular with holiday and retirement buyers. The market offers various property options and price points with the overall average sale price at around R2.3m. The typical price range is from R1.5m to R4m with estates such as Pinnacle Point commanding a premium in the R5m to R10m range and above.

Knysna – Waterside Living Driving High Demand and High Values

Knysna’s attractions are centred on its stunning natural lagoon and the iconic Knysna Heads and Lagoon, offering a picturesque setting for water-based activities, while the lively waterfront and yacht club provide excellent dining and leisure opportunities. Gail Rimbault, licensee for Seeff Knysna says the market is characterised by robust demand. Transactions for the 12 months to the end of November stand at a significant R2.2b, with an average transaction price of R3.7m.

The median freehold price stands at R3.9m and the sectional title price at R1.7m, both up by about 70% over 5 years. A recent Lightstone study shows that nearly 30% of properties are now valued over R5m, especially in estates such as Thesen Islands, Pezula, Simola, Eastford Country Estate, and Belvidere Estate with average prices of up to R6.4m in Leisure Isle and R10.2m at The Heads.

Plettenberg Bay – Premium Luxury Destination

Plettenberg Bay is one of the top destinations for luxury retirement and holiday buyers, according to Alet Ollemans, licensee for Seeff Plettenberg Bay. Aside from the great weather and Blue Flag beaches, it offers attractions such as whale and dolphin watching, world-class hiking and seal viewing and top wine farms. Property prices have basically doubled over the past five years on the back of strong demand and high-end sales, driven primarily by the pandemic surge.

Plett now ranks second only to the Atlantic Seaboard in terms of the top-end prices that wealthy buyers will pay for a luxury beach house on Beachy Head Drive. Overall, Lightstone ranks the town as home to the highest portion of high-value properties with nearly 40% of all properties valued over R3m. The tremendous growth in luxury estates has also seen buyers prepared to pay upwards of R5m to R10m in estates such as Brackenridge, Duin en See, Athina, Schoongezicht, Whale Rock, Turtle Creek and a number of others, while high-end prices reached over R20m.

Issued by Gina Meintjes