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The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
These are the suburbs most people are moving to in Johannesburg
A recent report found Gauteng's high tenant rate resulted in the most intra-province moves while the Cape absorbed the most newcomers. The people of Johannesburg are constantly on the move, whether within their own city or in search of opportunity elsewhere. A recent report showed that of all those changing addresses, the majority were done so by those moving within or out of Gauteng. However, Cape Town was the biggest recipient of new residents with almost half coming from either Johannesburg or Pretoria. Johannesburg trends The Wise Move Migration Report 2025 stated that of all South Africans changing address, 70% stayed in the same province. Gauteng accounted for 60% of the intra-province relocations and for those choosing Johannesburg, just over 60% of moves were directed at three areas of the city. Sandton was the overwhelming favourite with 26.5% of the moves, followed by Johannesburg Central and Randburg with 18.7% and 16.5%, respectively. Midrand and Roodepoort made up sizeable chunks with 11.2% and 10.1% each, with Roodepoort popular for its mix of affordability and access to nature. The East Rand had a more scattered spread of relocations, with Boksburg, Kempton Park, Germiston, Edenvale and Benoni hovering between 3 and 4% each. Cape popularity However, 48% of all relocations across provincial borders were people leaving Gauteng for Cape Town. 'This trend highlights the magnetic pull of the Western Cape's coastal lifestyle, economic opportunities, and quality of life,' stated Wise Move CEO and co-founder Chante Venter. While Cape Town absorbed the vast majority of Western Cape semigration, 5% of the incomers moved to the West Coast, and another 9% chose towns along the Garden Route. Other key insights include 30% of relocation traffic occurring between November and January, with Wednesday being the least popular day to move. Females made up almost 57% of those relocating, while those aged between 25 and 44 accounting for 55.5% of movers. Lower rentals in Gauteng Accompanying the influx to the Cape, the Tenant Payment Network (TPN) reported a boost in the Gauteng rental market where 37.8% of households were tenants. Property24 highlighted that property prices in Gauteng were roughly 27% lower than those of a comparable property in the Cape, while rentals in Gauteng were approximately 20% lower. Additionally, building completions in Gauteng declined by 30% in the last financial year compared to a 24% rise in new building completions in Cape Town, while largely served high-income investors. NOW READ: Joburg's residents fuming as city aims to cash in on public parks and sports clubs
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
South Africans start trickling back to Gauteng as property demand shifts
People are realising that the grass isn't always greener in Cape Town. Rising costs and infrastructure woes are driving many back to Johannesburg, where cheaper housing and stronger job prospects are reversing the semigration trend. The Wise Move 2025 Migration Report shows that 70% of South Africans prefer to move within their own provinces, with Gauteng leading internal relocations. Nearly half (48%) of interprovincial moves occur between Gauteng and the Western Cape, reflecting a persistent tug-of-war between city life and coastal allure. Most movers choose homes similar in size, though upsizing is quietly on the rise. Crucially, work – not crime – is the main reason behind 22.9% of relocations, reveals a migration story that flips the semigration narrative on its head. While the Western Cape continues to shine as a migration magnet, Gauteng, despite a net loss of residents, is quietly staging a property market comeback. Where, just three years ago, masses of Gautengers were relocating to the Western Cape, at least 25% are now making the trek back up north. For those wondering when everyone's packing up, December and school holidays remain the peak moving season. Young, ambitious movers are driving the shift Wise Move's migration report, based on more than 15,000 moves in 2024, reveals that more than half of cross-country relocations are young professionals and those with growing families, aged 25 to 44, with women making up 57% of the demographic. What's driving all this packing and unpacking? Chasing paid work (22.9%) tops the list, followed by the desire to be closer to family or a spouse (15.5%). Crime, divorce and political instability barely register, cited by less than 1% of movers, challenging some of South Africa's most persistent assumptions. In short, South Africans aren't running away – they're running towards better jobs, stronger family ties and new beginnings. 'Behind every relocation lies a wider economic ripple that reaches far beyond the four walls of a new house,' said Chante Venter, Wise Move's co-founder and CEO. Venter explained that each new resident influences property markets, local businesses and infrastructure development. These moves offer a window into where jobs are emerging and how neighbourhoods adapt. Gauteng – the paradox of loss and opportunity While Gauteng recorded a net loss of residents in 2024, it remains the beating heart of internal mobility, accounting for more than 60% of all intraprovincial moves. This reflects Gauteng's enduring role as South Africa's economic powerhouse and opportunity hub. Seeff Property Group reports that after two flat years, Gauteng's housing market is finally picking up steam. Unlike the Western Cape, where average house prices have climbed to around R1.9-million, Gauteng's prices have remained stable near R1.3-million since 2019, offering unmatched affordability and value. Entry-level homes in suburbs such as Helderkruin, Roodekrans and Soweto start as low as R450,000, with many properties below R1.21-million exempt from transfer duty – a boon for first-time buyers. Rental demand remains robust, presenting opportunities for would-be investors. The 'reverse semigration' from the Western Cape reflects financially driven returns to Gauteng's accessible property market and abundant job prospects. Christa Roos, licensee for Seeff Helderkruin, said that interest rate cuts had excited buyers, with Western Joburg suburbs offering 'excellent value', especially in the R1-million to R1.5-million range. The longstanding migration magnet The Western Cape's allure is no new thing. For more than two decades, the province has attracted skilled workers and middle- to upper-income earners seeking better service delivery, coastal lifestyle and quality education. Wise Move data shows that 71% of moves to the Western Cape are directed towards Cape Town and its immediate suburbs, while only 9% head to the Garden Route and a mere 5% to the West Coast. Western Cape's relocation hot spots The relocations were previously motivated by lifestyle factors such as less congestion, better service delivery and coastal living – as well as economic considerations such as property affordability. This long-term movement continues to shape South Africa's internal migration landscape. However, this popularity comes at a price. Dikeledi Matsaka recalled that the moment she arrived in Cape Town, she paid R60 for a phone charger she could buy for R35 in Johannesburg – her first small but telling wake-up call to the city's higher living costs. Despite the Western Cape's strong pull, drawing 32.4% of all interprovincial (relocation from one province to another within the same country) moves and losing only 15.1% of its own residents, the Gauteng-Western Cape corridor remains a two-way street. Nearly half (48%) of all interprovincial moves come from Joburg and Pretoria residents heading towards Cape Town's sea breeze, while about a quarter of Western Cape movers are heading back to Gauteng or trying their luck in Gqeberha. Urbanisation, cost and the myth of semigration The pursuit of jobs, quality education, healthcare and family support networks keeps the metropolitan allure strong, even as remote work becomes more common. Yet, for those who do make the leap to smaller towns, the experience can be transformative, if not without its own trade-offs. Crystal Macdonald, who swapped Johannesburg's daily grind for the slower pace of George, shared her perspective even though she did not want people to know about her little heaven, as they might rush there. 'Moving from Johannesburg to George was the best decision of my life,' she said. She appreciates the reliable municipal services – weekly refuse collection and traffic lights that work during load shedding – and the quality of public schools that feel like 'private schools without the fees'. However, she noted that property prices in George had skyrocketed, with rentals easily triple what she paid in Johannesburg. There's a trade-off: McDonald's no longer burns her salary on overpriced kids' meals or plastic jungle gyms. Instead, they hike real mountains, free, and local parks have well-maintained grass, rather than just cut weeds. Her story captures the paradox at the heart of South Africa's migration patterns: while the dream of a slower, safer, more connected life in smaller towns is alive, most South Africans continue to choose the opportunities and amenities of big cities. For now, urbanisation remains the dominant force, and the myth of mass 'semigration' is, for most, just that – a myth. What this means for you Whether you're a student, young professional, family, or retiree, understanding these migration and cost-of-living trends is crucial for making informed decisions: Know where the opportunities are: Gauteng is losing residents but remains a hub for affordable properties, internal movement and jobs, while the Western Cape is the biggest magnet for interprovincial movers. This insight can guide your career or investment decisions. Plan your move with realistic expectations: Urban centres such as Cape Town offer lifestyle and economic opportunities, but come with higher living costs. Researching this will help you budget and prepare for the financial realities of relocation. Recognise the limits of semigration: Despite interest in smaller towns, most moves still target metropolitan areas, driven by access to jobs, education and healthcare. Consider whether a move to a smaller town fits your priorities. Ultimately, your priorities – be it lifestyle, cost, or career – should guide your next move. The data shows South Africans are choosing stability over radical change, often moving within similar neighbourhoods and property types, but always weighing the real cost of a new beginning. DM
