In recent years, a quiet shift has been taking place across South Africa. From young professionals and remote workers to retirees and small business owners, more and more people are packing up their lives in the big cities and heading for smaller towns.
What was once a slow trickle has turned into a noticeable trend. Whether it’s the Western Cape’s coastal villages, the peaceful farming towns of the Free State, or the artist-friendly communities in the Eastern Cape, smaller towns are experiencing a new kind of migration.
So what’s driving this movement away from the hustle of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban?
The High Cost of City Living
One of the biggest motivators is cost. City life has become increasingly unaffordable for the average South African. Rent, rates, transport, and groceries all come at a premium in major metros. In contrast, many smaller towns offer lower property prices, cheaper food, and fewer expenses overall.
In towns like Oudtshoorn, Parys, or Somerset East, for example, R10,000 a month stretches much further than it does in Sandton or Claremont. Families are realising they can maintain a decent quality of life – and even save a little – without compromising too much.
Remote Work Is Now Normal
Before 2020, working from home was rare. Today, it’s not only normal, it’s encouraged in many industries. This shift has allowed thousands of workers to ask a simple question: if I can work from anywhere, why am I paying so much to live in the city?
With a stable internet connection, people can work full-time jobs, freelance, or run online businesses from towns that were once considered “off the grid”. This flexibility is opening doors for people to move closer to family, nature, or simply a quieter way of life.
A Better Quality of Life
For many, city life means traffic, noise, pollution, and long working hours. Smaller towns offer something different – a slower pace, cleaner air, less congestion, and stronger community ties.
Parents want their children to grow up in safer, less stressful environments. Elderly residents want peace and affordability. And many young couples are trading flashy urban lifestyles for simpler, more meaningful routines.
Weekend hikes, visits to local farmers’ markets, and being on a first-name basis with the local butcher – these small-town experiences are increasingly valued in today’s fast-paced world.
Safer Communities
Crime continues to be a serious issue in South Africa’s large cities. For people living in high-risk areas, the daily fear of robbery, hijacking, or home invasion becomes exhausting.
While no place is completely free from crime, smaller towns often have lower crime rates and tighter-knit communities where neighbours look out for one another. This sense of safety and familiarity is a powerful pull factor, especially for families with young children or pensioners living alone.
New Opportunities in Smaller Towns
Smaller towns aren’t just places to escape to – they’re also full of opportunity. As more people move in, new needs arise: better coffee shops, fresh produce markets, guesthouses, handyman services, and more.
Some former city dwellers are starting small businesses in their new hometowns – whether it’s opening a bed and breakfast, starting a garden service, or offering IT support to locals.
Because the cost of entry is lower than in cities, it’s easier to take a risk and try something new. The rise of online marketing also allows these businesses to reach customers beyond their town borders.
The Emotional Need for Change
Beyond economics, safety, and convenience, there’s something emotional behind this migration trend. After years of uncertainty, economic stress, and public service challenges, many South Africans are looking to reclaim their peace of mind.
The appeal of waking up to birdsong instead of sirens, or chatting with a neighbour over the fence instead of avoiding eye contact in a packed taxi, carries a deep emotional value.
People are rediscovering the joy of community, space, and time – things that often get lost in the chaos of urban life.
Is This the Future?
While not everyone can or wants to move to a smaller town, it’s clear that a shift in values is underway. The pandemic, rolling blackouts, water shortages, and high living costs have forced people to re-evaluate what matters most.
Smaller towns, once overlooked, are now offering the kind of life that many people thought they’d have to leave the country to find.
The great migration within South Africa may not be official or organised – but it’s happening quietly, one family at a time, one town at a time.