South African Expats on the Move - Destination Unveiled May Come as a Shock
In a significant shift in South Africa's internal migration trends, the Eastern Cape has become an increasingly popular semigration destination for many South Africans in 2025. This trend is primarily driven by affordability, quality of life, and lifestyle factors, as people move away from more expensive and congested metropolitan areas like Cape Town.
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), East London, Jeffreys Bay, Kenton-on-Sea, Hogsback, and St Francis Bay are among the smaller towns in the Eastern Cape that are drawing in semigrating remote workers, retirees, and young families seeking a change of pace and a more affordable lifestyle.
Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services South Africa, emphasises the rising appeal of the Eastern Cape, attributing it to the region's affordability and lifestyle factors. The Eastern Cape offers larger properties at lower prices compared to major metros, making it an attractive option for buyers seeking more spacious homes without the high price tag.
The rise of hybrid and remote working arrangements allows professionals to relocate away from expensive urban centers to smaller towns or coastal areas while maintaining their employment. This flexibility supports the inward migration trend to the Eastern Cape as people prioritise lifestyle over proximity to traditional business hubs.
Many potential property buyers are seeking out areas that offer a similar lifestyle without the steep big-city costs. The Eastern Cape's coastal hubs, such as St Francis Bay, offer a slower pace of life, access to nature, and strong community ties, making them particularly appealing.
Inland areas like Queenstown and Stutterheim are also seeing growth, particularly among semigrating families seeking better schooling and safety. The region's lower crime rates and outdoor recreational opportunities contribute to a higher perceived quality of life, further boosting its appeal.
The Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for Q1 2025 indicates a shift in South Africa's semigration trend, with the Eastern Cape recording a clear rise in new residents. Unlike KwaZulu-Natal, which is experiencing outward migration, the Eastern Cape is seeing continued net inward migration, suggesting growing confidence in the region as a desirable place to live and invest in property.
Some areas within the Eastern Cape have shown consistent appreciation in property values, sometimes outperforming national averages, making it appealing not only as a lifestyle choice but as a sound investment.
The Western Cape continues to attract more people than it loses, but its net inward migration has slowed compared to the last three quarters. This weakening dominance of the Western Cape in South Africa's semigration wave is a testament to the Eastern Cape's growing appeal.
In summary, the Eastern Cape's combination of affordable housing, appealing lifestyle, and the ability to work remotely are key factors making it a popular semigration destination for South Africans in 2025, as people move away from more expensive and congested metropolitan areas like Cape Town.
Financial analysts are increasingly interested in the Eastern Cape, recognizing its potential for real-estate investments due to the region's affordability and attractive lifestyle offerings, such as lower-priced larger properties and access to nature. In 2025, as more professionals seek flexible remote working options, the Eastern Cape becomes an appealing location, providing a change of pace, lower costs, and improved quality of life.
