South Africa is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous destinations in the world. Easy access to the country’s pristine beaches, majestic mountains, verdant forests, and magnificent parks is just one of the main selling points for anyone looking to relocate abroad or claim a piece of holiday paradise away from home.
Many of South Africa’s upmarket neighborhoods have taken full advantage of this scenery, offering property owners a front seat to the city’s most dramatic showpieces, in addition to a well-designed lifestyle. Created in collaboration with Pam Golding Properties, here’s a look at the communities that are enviable pockets of ultra-prime property opportunity.
Sandhurst
Sandhurst, north of Johannesburg’s city center, is a secluded urban playground for the city’s elite property shoppers. This neighborhood is full of great details: streets hidden beneath a canopy of trees; large, sophisticated iron gates; sprawling green lawns; and architectural masterpieces designed with no expenses spared. Sandhurst is home to the most expensive street in the Gauteng province – Killarney Road – where the average home has a price tag of R26 million (about $1.8 million).
Camps Bay
Located on the foothills of the Twelve Apostles mountain range in Cape Town and overlooking the ocean to the west, Camps Bay treats residents to a backdrop of towering cliffs and amazing sunsets. This suburb made headlines in 2015 when it became the location of South Africa’s most expensive home, The Casablanca Mansion, which was on the market for R450 million ($35 million) at the time. The title was previously held by The Enigma Mansion, listed at R300 million ($21 million) in the neighboring suburb, Fresnaye.
Clifton
Clifton is regarded as the crowning jewel of Cape Town’s luxury property market. Spilling into the glittering Atlantic Seaboard from the base of Lion’s Head, Clifton features a distinctive display of architecture and style, boasting world-class amenities. Along with Camps Bay, Clifton is just around the corner from downtown Cape Town and the iconic V&A Waterfront.
Plettenberg Bay
If you’re searching for a more relaxed way of life, away from the bustle of the city, Plettenberg Bay has one of the biggest investment potentials in the county. The town is located on the Garden Route – a stretch of the south coast that is known for its unspoiled beauty. Beachy Head Drive, dotted with mansions running parallel to the shoreline of the Indian Ocean, is the most sought-after address for shoppers at the upper end of the town’s residential market. A landmark for Plettenberg Bay’s luxury property bracket, in price and geography, is Castle on the Cliff; this villa, perched atop a cliff with views that sprawl long into the ocean horizon, is modeled after a castle and was listed for R75 million in 2016 ($5.5 million back then).
Where is the best area to live in South Africa?
Top 10 Places to Live in South Africa
Cape Town. The Best City for English Speakers.
Langebaan. Best City for Digital Nomads
George. Best City for South Coast Exploration
Durban. Best City for Tropical Weather
Franschhoek. Best City for Couples
Gqeberha. Best City for Groups
Jeffreys Bay.
Knysna. Best City for Solo Travelers.
What is the safest area in South Africa?
The city of Cape Town, known as the Mother City, is consistently ranked as the safest city in South Africa. While its crime rate is not lower than many other cities in the country, there are lovely safe areas to explore.
Where do most foreigners live in South Africa?
South Africans are known for their friendliness, and you’ll be made to feel welcome and at home. Although the country has 11 official languages, most locals speak English fluently. Most ex-pats live in Johannesburg, Pretoria or Cape Town – the country’s financial and political centers.