
IF lockdown taught us anything (besides what goes into keeping a sourdough starter alive), it's that many jobs don't require you to keep office hours - or even set foot in an office. Desk jobs can be done from home, or better yet, from anywhere that has Wi-Fi. The pandemic started a huge movement out of the office and into the home and now even further afield, to small towns and villages around South Africa that were previously strictly weekends only.
Interestingly enough, the trend is not limited to empty-nesters or retirees, who have been doing it for years. According to data from research group Lightstone, 'It is not just older buyers in the 45-65 year age range, but also younger professionals and families who are ditching the cities for the countryside.'
Their stats show that most are leaving Gauteng in their rear-view mirror. Of the people leaving cities, 44% were from Gauteng, 30% from the Western Cape and 12% from KwaZulu-Natal.
'One of the biggest drivers of the current movement away from the big cities is the desire for more living space and more opportunity to take part in family outdoor activities and the prospect of buying both these things for much less in the countryside,' says Gerhard Kotzé, MD of RealNet Properties. "This applies particularly to those who have children who found out during lockdown that their home was too small to accommodate everyone's needs - home office spaces, home schooling spaces, home gyms - when they were all at home together.'
With restaurants, workplaces and shops closing and social events curtailed at the height of the pandemic, even the younger crowd traded in their city views.
Denne historien er fra September/October 2022-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September/October 2022-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

(Late) BLOOMING lovely
I've had an epiphany about the joy of getting older. And yes, you can go ahead and yell, it's about time we called midlife what it is: late blooming!

A fairy tale AMONG THE VINES
What sold me on Riquewihr? Was it the colourful, half-timbered houses? The pictureperfect vineyards? The fact that it's one of the villages that inspired Beauty and the Beast? Yes, yes and (a loud, resounding) yes.

THE SECOND act
The idea of starting a new career later in life may seem daunting but it's not impossible. These four women have proven that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.

MENOPAUSE UPDATE 2025
Flawed studies, a 'critical HT window', vaginal oestrogen, testosterone supplementation and restricted eating are among a rash of hot topics emerging for women gingerly negotiating menopause. Here's what we know now.

9 unconventional WAYS TO SHAKE OFF STRESS
Try these sciencebacked strategies and everyday tips to dial down your body's stress response.

KERI SHOWS HER GOOD SIDE
Keri Russell's portrayal of Kate Wyler in The Diplomat, her first substantial TV role since the Soviet spy drama The Americans, finds her switching sides, starring as a savvy civil servant tasked with upholding America's reputation abroad.

I have prophetic dreams
Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the threshold of life, or whether our loved ones who have passed on find ways to communicate with us? I've had vivid dreams and unsettling premonitions that blur the lines between the world we know and the one beyond. I'm not sure whether it's a blessing or a burden.

Pride of INDIA
Drawing inspiration from India's rich heritage, these entrepreneurs are driving innovation in our design industry and supporting under-resourced communities.

THE RISE OF THERAPY SPEAK
Therapy speak - or psychological terminology – is on the rise. While it gives us more language to protect our peace, it can also be a destructive force in our friendships and relationships. Here's why.

Lights, camera, CAPE TOWN
South Africa is the filming destination for quite a few Marvel blockbusters, and one of the most successful liveaction series based on manga in the world. At the vanguard of this revolution is Marisa Sonemann-Turner, head of production at Film Afrika.