Millionaires are flocking to small coastal towns in the Western Cape for a few reasons, leaving overt luxury behind for the down-to-earth soft life that retirement dreams are made of.
Recently, the Africa Wealth Report by NW Wealth (also understood as the ‘benchmark of luxury sector research in Africa’ as it self-describes) in partnership with Henley & Partners, released luxurious data for 2023, identifying trends and insight into wealth progressions and movements on our continent.
Also read: Top things to do in and around Hermanus on your next trip
The coastal town of Hermanus, famous for its whale watching hotspots, champagne air and quaint life, came in as the fastest-growing area for the very wealthy, and after a trip to H-town, I can certainly understand why, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
Hermanus is beautiful in every way that a picturesque town can be. Serene, complimented by breathtaking unspoiled nature (you’ll take your pick of mountain trails to enjoy at your leisure or the incredible hues of the royal blue ocean to gaze at) and doted with down-to-earth wonders, it’s truly a place picked right out of a storybook.
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Two factors had me singing Hermanus’s praises beyond the residents’ charm and natural landscape.
The first was that a lot of items are far cheaper than in Cape Town. Especially when it comes to grocery shopping. A fair amount of products had me asking the cashier if I was reading the prices correctly. Recent data from Numbeo supports this, concurring that both grocery and restaurant prices in Hermanus are 8.7% and 16.4% lower (three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant), respectively.
The second factor that allowed me to sigh in relief (over and over again) was the safety aspect.
From kids riding their bicycles at night freely, to elderly people walking their dogs at all times (Hermanus is the it spot for any dog lover) people were incredibly nonchalant when it came to safety matters.
Again, the data supports their notion. According to Numbeo, Hermanus has a 40.34 Crime Index (the lower the better), while Cape Town sits at a 73.92 spot.
The thing about Hermanus is that the residents truly take care of the paradise they call home. It’s a gem that’s well taken care of, where problems like extravagant pricing and crime are not the norm, and won’t be tolerated as such.
It’s easy to understand why those who have a few million to spare would want to invest in the gorgeous setting, and further, we could all learn a little humility from Hermanus.
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Picture: Pexels
