Retirement, migration, and value driven mall visits
South Africans are rethinking how they live, move and shop, and this month's newsletter explores what's driving that shift. From affluent retirees holding onto prime property longer than you'd expect, to families and remote workers trading city life for the coast, the way people are choosing to live is changing. We also look at what's pulling consumers toward convenience-led shopping, and why renewed momentum in the luxury property market suggests growing confidence at the top end - all backed by Lightstone insights.
Older, asset rich and staying put
South Africans over 60 now own 40% of the country’s residential properties valued above R500 000, highlighting a widening intergenerational property divide. The latest Lightstone data reveals older homeowners are holding onto high-value homes for longer, while retirement and lifestyle towns across the coast continue attracting ageing, asset-rich buyers.
Read MoreLocation, location … and lifestyle
South Africans are increasingly trading city pressure for smaller-town living, with the Garden Route, West Coast and Cape Winelands emerging as the country’s top relocation hotspots. New Lightstone data shows how lifestyle, affordability and flexibility are shaping migration patterns, as families, retirees, and remote workers rethink where and how they want to live.
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South Africans are still visiting malls – but differently
South Africans are still going to malls, but increasingly with purpose, not habit. New mobility data from Lightstone Retail shows shorter visits, declining time spent at mega malls and rising demand for convenience and value-focused centres, signalling a fundamental shift in how consumers shop, spend and choose where retail fits into daily life.
Read MoreLuxury property leads as market gains momentum
South Africa’s housing market is gaining momentum, with national house price inflation climbing to 4.52%, according to Lightstone’s latest Property Index. While the Western Cape remains the country’s standout performer, growth across the luxury and High-Value property segments is accelerating, signalling renewed confidence at the upper end of the market despite ongoing regional disparities.
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- Lizzy Matjila, Century 21 South Africa
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