Top retirement towns in the Western Cape
We all come to a time in our lives where our hard working days are over and it’s time for us to find a place to settle down and peacefully live out the rest of our days.
There are a couple towns that will be listed in this article as “top retirement towns”, but it’s ultimately based on what your favourite environment and atmosphere to live in is.
But if you want to get an idea of where people are retiring to in South Africa, the majority of them are here in the Western Cape. Because the Western Cape is amazing.
Ceres
Let’s start with the inland towns with mountain, river and nature views. If you’ve ever wanted to find a town that stops time, Ceres is the town for you. This little town sits in the valley of the Hex River Mountains and in winter it becomes known as “Little Switzerland” with snowy peaks and adventures.
Everyone knows everyone and all visitors are welcome. Most of the time it’s a quiet retreat with the occasional traditional church bells ringing every half hour, but come Saturday and it’s “town day” for the farmers and farm workers. It’s all busy streets and local stores as they come into town to stock up for the week ahead.
Enjoy the views of Gydo Pass and walks up to the rock pools. Or enjoy a game drive in Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve or a visit to the Matroosberg Nature Reserve.
Don’t miss out on the Witzenberg Christmas Market on the main road that begins on a Friday night by officially putting the Ceres Christmas lights on.
Franschhoek
Franschhoek wine valley is the perfect retirement town for those who enjoy their mountains and their wine. As the host of the Bastille Day Festival and the “Magic of Bubbles” Cap Classique & Champagne Festival, the viticulture of this town is rich and retirees who enjoy a glass of red will feel more than at home here.
Surrounded by vineyards and the Franschhoek Mountains, there is true serenity in the valley. And a stroll along the main road will surprise you with restaurants, arts and culture and curios to admire under shady trees with friendly locals.
Paarl
If you’re invested in your grandchildren who happen to go to school in the Paarl area and never want to miss an athletics event or netball match, then consider retiring in Paarl.
It’s small town with everything you need – from its history of being the third oldest town in South Africa to its beautiful views of Paarl Rock and the tranquil Berg River. Prepare for the summer heat that bakes the streets, but lounge in the air-conditioned cafés and enjoy some tea and cake. Does it really get any better than that?
Kleinmond
Now we head to the towns by the sea-side for the ocean lovers.
Kleinmond is a 35-minute drive from Hermanus (another top retirement town but also a popular tourist town). Kleinmond has the best of nature and the sea with the Rooisands Nature Reserve, the Bot River Lagoon and Kleinmond Beach. There are various walking and hiking trails for those of you still up for a bit of nature exploring or a casual walk on the beach. it’s almost better than any therapy.
Enjoy the quiet of the reserve and the smell of sea and plant life from your cosy, humble home. Take to the coast to look for whales or the lagoon to watch wild horses roam. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone here in Kleinmond.
Paternoster
Paternoster is the perfect retirement town for beach and ocean lovers. Find sand along the streets, a constant sea-scented breeze and fresh fish for days. Discover quirky cafés and family-owned stores that offer freshly baked “plaasbrood” and homemade smoked butter and cured meats.
And there’s nothing but the sound of the waves to put you to sleep at night and welcome you in the morning. This little beach town is hardly overcrowded and is the perfect place to park-off and relax your days away.
Pringle Bay
Lastly, we look at Pringle Bay. Another small coastal town in the Western Cape, chilling at the foot of Hangklip. A super quiet town with most homeowners only visiting over the holiday time. There are a range of small restaurants, art studios, curio stores, a botanical garden and Rooi Els and Pringle Bay beach to take up your time. Your surrounding area is part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve so you are one with land and sea and pure serenity.
If you aren’t the kind of person to sit around in a little town and laze your days of retirement away, think about financing a recreational vehicle and roadtrip your way around the Western Cape and try the towns out for yourself. If you do end up falling in love with a little town, you can at least say that you know what else is out there.