According to Lightstone Property’s 2024 report, one in four homeowners who sell their property and buy a new one are now choosing to move to another province.

This marks a significant increase from 2019, when only 16% of homeowners opted for interprovincial moves. By 2024, this figure has risen to 27%.

This shift is reshaping the housing market, with approximately 50,000 homeowners participating in this sell-to-buy segment in recent years.

The data focuses on repeat buyers who move across provincial lines, excluding first-time buyers and sellers who do not purchase another home.

While many homeowners still prefer to stay within their home provinces, the percentage of those doing so is steadily declining.

Top Destination for Semigrants

The Western Cape is a leading destination for semigrants, thanks to its natural beauty, economic opportunities, and high quality of life. Cape Town, in particular, has welcomed over 1,500 new homeowners.

Other popular towns include Milnerton and Mossel Bay, with net inflows of 1,249 and 651 residents, respectively. George and Somerset West are also attracting hundreds of semigrants.

The Lightstone report highlights that 14 of the top 15 towns experiencing a net gain in homeowners are in the Western Cape. Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape is the only non-Western Cape town on the list, likely due to its proximity to the Western Cape border.

Gauteng and the Western Cape dominate the interprovincial movement market, accounting for 71% of sell-to-buy transactions. Gauteng leads with 48%, while the Western Cape holds 23%.

However, Gauteng has seen a 10% decline in repeat buyers choosing to stay within the province over the past five years, indicating a trend of residents relocating, often to the Western Cape.

In contrast, the Western Cape has maintained a stable retention rate, with 87% of homeowners staying within the province, a slight dip from 89% five years ago.

This stability, combined with the influx of semigrants, reinforces the Western Cape’s reputation as a preferred destination for those seeking a fresh start.

Shifting Patterns Across Other Provinces

While the Western Cape remains the most popular destination for semigrants, other provinces are seeing more significant declines in homeowners staying put.

The Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo have experienced drops ranging from 9% to 15% in the percentage of repeat buyers remaining within their borders.

This trend reflects a growing desire among South Africans to explore new regions and opportunities.

Notably, around 3,500 homeowners from Gauteng and 870 from KwaZulu-Natal have moved to the Western Cape in recent years. Meanwhile, approximately 1,600 homeowners from other provinces have relocated to Gauteng or the Western Cape.

Reasons Behind the Rise in Semigration

Several factors contribute to the growing trend of semigration. The Western Cape’s reputation for safety, quality education, job opportunities, and natural beauty makes it an attractive option.

Additionally, the lifestyle benefits of living in smaller towns like Mossel Bay, Somerset West, and George—offering a slower pace of life with modern amenities—appeal to those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of larger cities.

As more South Africans seek a better quality of life by moving to new provinces, semigration is set to remain a dominant force in the real estate market.

The Western Cape’s ongoing appeal, combined with shifting homeowner relocation patterns, is likely to continue shaping the country’s housing landscape for years to come.

#	Town	Inflow	Outflow	Net inflow
1	Cape Town	1,740	179	+1,561
2	Milnerton	1,394	145	+1,249
3	Mossel Bay	701	50	+651
4	George	560	34	+526
5	Somerset West	526	29	+497
6	Durbanville	448	34	+414
7	St Helena Bay	378	16	+362
8	Groot Brakriver	360	21	+339
9	Knysna	348	26	+322
10	Hermanus	333	25	+308
11	Strand	312	36	+276
12	Stellenbosch	264	7	+257
13	Langebaan	263	21	+242
14	Jeffreys Bay	333	119	+214
15	Bellville	254	44	+210

Source: Lightstone Property