[Image: StockCake]
Roughly the size of Germany and larger than California, the Karoo has become the new hotspot for semigration in South Africa.
With approximately 400,000 square kilometres of space, the semi-desert Karoo is beginning to draw seimgrants from most of the biggest cities in South Africa – not just because of all that space, but the bargain house prices, good schools, and just better quality of life in general.
Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties area principal for the Karoo, said that the smaller towns’ quaint architecture, historic buildings, and famous “Big Sky” open spaces attract semigrants looking to escape congested cities.
He also noted that it’s a significant draw for hikers, cyclists, birders, astronomers, geologists and crafters.
“Even the Karoo’s culinary revival, boerewors and biltong culture, and improving internet connectivity have drawn a new wave of remote workers and entrepreneurs.”
The Karoo is an obvious choice for those wishing to escape the congested cities and unaffordable cost of living.
“Having a Karoo property has become an alternative to owning a beach getaway,” Rubidge told BusinessTech. “More buyers are investing in the Karoo for semi-retirement, and what once felt remote now offers the promise of clean, safe rural living.”
Three of the towns that are pulling most of the people fleeing larger cities are Beaufort West and Graaff Reinett in the Western Cape and Cradock in the Eastern Cape.
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All these towns are within three hours of the coast and bigger cities like George and Gqeberha, and each has its own airstrip. They are also surrounded by national parks, boosting the lifestyle and economic prospects.
Beaufort West is next to the massive Karoo National Park, Graaff -Reinett is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park, and Cradock, in the upper valley of the Great Fish River, has the Mountain Zebra National Park.
In some instances, you might even find bargains and pick up a three-bedroom home for R900,000.
“You can find a good-sized two- to three-bedroom house with a yard for under R900,000,” said Rubidge. “In the smaller surrounding villages, a premium property often goes for around R1 million to R1.2 million.”
Ian Taylor, Pam Golding’s area specialist for Beaufort West, said the town’s housing market has transformed in the last decade.
“Ten years ago, I was helping people sell their homes to move to the coast. Now it’s the opposite. People are now moving from the coast to Beaufort West.”
Graaff-Reinet, known as the ‘Gem of the Karoo’, has been experiencing its own transformation of late as a growing luxury property market is attracting lifestyle buyers. “Graaff-Reinet has become a destination in its own right,” said Rubidge. “Tourism, luxury shops, new restaurants, and the new Fossil Centre enhance its appeal.”
It’s become such a luxury tourism destination that our own Air Du Cap now offers regular flights to the Karoo gem.
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Many buyers are city dwellers or coastal residents looking to return or relocate, tired of the congestion elsewhere in the Cape.
The Karoo might not be for everyone, but if you’re willing to trade the city hustle for silence and convenience for quality of life, then it might be worth checking out the new semigration hotspots in the Karoo.
[Source: BusinessTech]
