Holiday Towns are the New 'Work from Home' Craze

People are ditching their daily commute for pre-work sea swims and scenic walks in their lunch breaks.

At first, we thought we'd work from home for a couple of weeks, then it became a couple of months and now it's become a couple of years. While some businesses are returning to the old normal of going into the office, the new normal of remote or even hybrid working is changing the way we live. 

Or, more specifically, it's changing where we live. 

Holiday Towns aren't just for Holidays Anymore

As Plett's exclusive boutique estate agency, we're used to a quieter year with an influx of visitors through the December period. But not anymore. People who once considered Plettenberg Bay a place to visit for a holiday are moving in droves to live and work in our beautiful little town. 

Why? Because what's the point of staying in a bustling city if you can work from home in a place that's more beautiful and closer to nature. The phenomenon is becoming known as semigration. 

This trend is reflected in our number of sales during the first three quarters of 2021. Compared with the same period in 2020, Helen Melon Properties experienced unprecedented sales and continued selling homes throughout the final quarter.

Structural Changes 

The pandemic made it necessary to work, teach, exercise, cook and live all under one roof.

Remote work has caused a shift in the way that homes in Plett are being built and used. Holiday homes aren't usually built with work in mind - entertainment spaces and ample bedrooms for visiting relatives have always been essential. People want more space and quieter neighbourhoods which would explain the shift from cities like Johannesburg to scenic towns like Plett. 

In Plett, we're seeing improved internet connectivity and more homes with purpose-built offices or workspaces. We're seeing coffee shops kitted out with Wi-Fi and plug points conducive for remote working. Residential estates, such as Whale Rock Ridge, have also set up outdoor gym spaces so residents can exercise without stepping out of the complex. 

Semigration has brought housing demand in Plett to a high and our website activity indicates that it isn't over yet. Get in touch with us to find your perfect home to live, play and work.