One of the biggest trends to emerge since Covid has been the migration away from big cities to smaller towns, along the coast or in more rural settings, but not many people fully understand the implications of such a move.
There are many factors to consider before making the leap, especially the financial costs, says Gerhard Kotzé, managing director of the RealNet estate agency group.
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Home prices are often considerably lower in smaller towns but, in addition to the usual costs associated with buying and selling, you also need to consider the costs of moving your belongings.
“If you are planning to live in a really remote area, you probably need to increase your transport and vehicle maintenance budget.”
As some small towns in South Africa have erratic water and power supplies, you might need to buy a generator, water-storage tanks and some solar-power panels if you want to live comfortably, he says.
“You should also check the state of the access roads and decide whether you will need a more rugged vehicle.”
Kotzé says the chosen new location should also have good internet and connectivity for remote working.