Property

Goodbye Cape Town – buyers are flocking to these small towns

Kirsten Minnaar • 20 August 2026

Buyers are increasingly looking beyond Cape Town and larger Western Cape centres toward smaller towns where properties offer more space and a slower pace of life.

The small towns of Robertson, McGregor, and Montagu are benefiting from this trend, with demand coming from young families, older buyers, and retirees.

The three Boland towns offer a combination of heritage, natural surroundings, and access to essential amenities. While their property markets differ in size, prices have also increased in recent years.

Robertson was founded in 1853 for agricultural purposes and developed into one of the Western Cape’s major wine-producing towns.

Its history is still visible in its Victorian and Georgian buildings, while agriculture and wine remain important to the local economy.

Pam Golding Properties Boland and Overberg regional director Annien Borg said Robertson and the surrounding valleys offer a combination of nature, mountains, and agriculture that appeals to different generations.

“Robertson has become the centre for the Bonnievale, Ashton and Robertson (BAR) valley as well as a destination for residents of Montagu and McGregor, as it offers a wider choice of products and services,” Borg said.

“It is renowned for the quality lifestyle on offer, with the slower pace of the platteland and interaction among the community still central.”

Robertson is situated along the Breede River on Route 62 and is surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and open countryside. The town also provides access to schools, shops, and healthcare facilities.

Hiking is another drawcard, with trails in the Langeberg mountains including Dassieshoek and Arangieskop. The surrounding wine farms also offer tasting rooms and restaurants.

Borg said the market attracts both younger and older buyers. “New buyers tend to be a balanced mix of 30 to 50 year olds and the 55 to 70 year age group. A lower percentage are younger singles,” she said.

Freestanding homes in Robertson generally range from R1.6 million to R5.5 million, while sectional-title units range from R1.5 million to R3 million. Estate homes range from R2.5 million to R7 million.

Most of the town’s properties are freestanding homes, although estate development is becoming more common.

“The lifestyle estates are most popular among retirees, with a mix of generations purchasing at other estates like Silwerstrand and Roodeberg Villas,” Borg said.

“In addition, many younger buyers with families are buying older houses closer to the schools in town and renovating them.”

McGregor and Montagu

McGregor was established in the mid-19th century and was originally known as Lady Grey. It was officially proclaimed in 1862 and later renamed in honour of Rev Andrew McGregor.

The village has retained much of its historic character, with traditional thatched cottages, large gardens, and quiet streets.

Its location at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains also gives residents access to hiking, mountain biking and horse trails.

While McGregor has a smaller property market than Robertson, prices have increased significantly. Lightstone figures show that property prices rose from just under R1 million in 2019 to R2.9 million in 2026.

This represents an increase of 113% in five years. According to Borg, a similar trend has been seen in vacant plot sales.

The village also benefits from its proximity to Robertson and the wider wine valley, while its quieter setting continues to attract buyers looking for a rural lifestyle.

The nearby town of Montagu was founded in 1851 on the farm Uitvlucht and was named after Colonial Secretary John Montagu.

The town developed around agriculture and later became known for its hot springs, heritage buildings, and location on Route 62.

Today, Montagu attracts permanent residents, retirees, second-home buyers, and people looking for historic properties. It also offers schools, healthcare, shops, and access to outdoor activities.

Lightstone figures show that property values have increased sharply. The median property price rose from R1.6 million in 2021 to R2.65 million in 2026, an increase of 65.6% over five years.

About 97% of homes are freehold properties, with the remainder located in estates. Vacant plot prices also increased sharply between 2021 and 2025, then eased slightly in 2026.

The buyer profile is also changing. Nearly half (45%) of existing homeowners are retirees, and 39% are aged between 50 and 64.

However, recent buyers are younger: 36% are aged 50 to 64, 27% are aged 36 to 49, and 17% are aged 18 to 35.

Robertson is also seeing more interest in estate living. Just over 10% of homes are currently in estates, but Borg expects this to increase as demand for new homes grows.

De Rozen Estate is one example, offering 33 two- and three-bedroom homes from R2.75 million. The development includes security measures and solar systems with battery storage.

“These three Boland towns are becoming increasingly popular as buyers look for good value combined with a very appealing lifestyle,” says Borg.

“Although prices have increased, properties here are still affordable compared to many other Western Cape towns, and developers are moving to cater for the increasing demand.”