KnysnaLiving in Knysna – Knysna https://showme.co.za/knysna Knysna, South Africa for all your local and tourism information; from accommodation to events, entertainment, attractions and news - ShowMe Knysna | T Feed Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://showme.co.za/knysna/property/living-in-knysna/ Living in Knysna https://showme.co.za/knysna/property/living-in-knysna/ Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:35:16 +0000 If the Garden Route is the jewel of South Africa, then Knysna is surely the jewel of the Garden Route. Heralded as “one of the...]]> If the Garden Route is the jewel of South Africa, then Knysna is surely the jewel of the Garden Route. Heralded as “one of the worlds top 100 destinations” (Tripadvisor, 2008) Knysna is no ordinary town – it’s the unique meeting place of kilometres of beaches, rolling fynbos-covered hills, lagoons, mountains, forests, rivers and wildlife.

  • Population 63,106 (2009)
  • Area 1,059 km2
  • Number of Households 15 911
  • Local Municipality Knysna Municipality

A town that cares for all

If you want in on the town that looks after its own, then Knysna is the place for you. Every aspect of Knysna speaks about conservation of its precious natural heritage, its community and its responsible and fair approach to economic matters.

Knysna nurtures nature, community and people.

Several mechanisms are in place to ensure Knysna never loses its unique charm, while keeping up with International trends: There’s the aesthetics committee whose responsibility it is to maintain Knysna’s village atmosphere; Knysna Tourism, besides marketing the town to the world, ecourages the visitor to engage with local communities in their ‘Living Local’ development campaign; naturally Knysna is undoubtedly the most important ‘back to nature’ movement in the country; and SanParks who operate and maintain the Garden Route National Park – the only park in the country that’s integrated several coastal towns into the protected area.

An outdoor lifestyle, come rain or shine…

The climate is temperate with summer temperatures seldom rising above 25 degrees and winter temperatures often in the twenties. Rainfall is spread over the entire year and wind is moderate.

When it come to fun and the outdoors Knysna has the ‘will do’ attitude that has made it South Africa’s favourite town…

Even when the rain does come you’ll find thrill seeking mountainbikers relishing the challenge of muddy forest roads and watersports enthusiasts taking to the water for kite-surfing, waterskiing and fishing. In winter Knysna is a lush green wonderland, and summer it’s the café culture, social capital of the Garden Route.

A Solid Infrastructure

The town’s infrastructure is one that’s constantly improving. Water desalinisation plants and underground pipelines ensure that water supplies are adequate for the locla community and the visitors who frequent during season. Knysna also boasts free Wi-Fi Internet access hotspots scattered over much of the town.

Apart from a few isolated incidents, the crime rate is low and we have a very effective police presence. Most of the isolated crime incidents are petty in nature and violence is rare.

Café Culture

Most of the large retail chains have branches in Knysna and there are a growing number of interesting boutiques and galleries. Whether you want a casual pizzeria, a pavement café or sophisticated restaurant, you are bound to find just the right thing.

Property in Knysna

The sheer variation of what’s available in Knysna can be daunting when choosing a property in Knysna and surrounds – from rustic rural living to contemporary champagne culture, and everything in between, you’ll eventually find the right home. All you need do is decide what you want… and what’s in your budget, because in Knysna you could pay anything from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions!

Knysna offers, arguably, the best variation of real estate in South Africa!

For lagoon and Heads views there are options aplenty as the estuary is surrounded by a gently sloped band of elevated terrain: On the Western side of Town you have ‘the hill’ comprising the suburbs of Paradise, West Hill, Knysna Heights and Heuwelkruin – not forgetting Brenton on Lake and Belvidere – while Eastwards the suburbs of Upper Old Place, the Hunters area, Fisherhaven and Rexford offer equally impressive views, while being somewhat warmer as they are West facing. Or live on the view itself – at the ‘Heads’, with views back over the lagoon towards town.

Of course you could live right on the water, and there’s not better place than Thesen Islands, Knysna Quays or Leisure Island, not to mention Buffalo Bay and Brenton on Sea with their vast Indian Ocean views.

Central offers a mix of building styles and sizes. From historic residences built in the 1800’s to edgy urban apartments in the centre of the buzzing mini metropolis.

Further away from the CBD, but not too far, you’ll find famous gated gold estates like Simola and Pezula, as well as newer developments offering secure upmarket living.

Knysna also offers the best in country living. For rural living on the urban edge you can choose between the various Eastford areas or along the Phantom Pass. For the true rural experience you need to travel a little further, to Rheenendal, Karatara, Gouna or Barrington – all not more than a 25 minute drive.

Sedgefield also boasts a mix of options: from the exclusivity of Cola Beach to the protected ‘Island’ there’s as much varation on offer here. Sedgefield is South Africa’s first official Slow Town (part of the International cittaslow movement).

To get a feel for the different areas of Knysna, go to Tour our Suburbs.

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