Opportunity came knocking (Knysna)

[Ou grote]

i would never want to live in knysna, takes for ever to get to the beach, i dont like the people and traffic is horrible in the mornings thats why Plett is sooo much better in every single way... i'd say.. rather move to plett

Haven't they finished the roadworks yet?
They've been busy for 5 bladdy years now.

 

[ponder]

I really would love to go there, but what if in 6 months I feel like I have made the wrong move?

Keep your house in Jozi, that way you can always move back.

 

[zabatman]

The new road is awesome.

 

[zulgin]

go there and check out the schools, omgewing en mense first for a week or 2, if you like it why not ? also make sure your job is secure, you wouldn't want to regret it in a year or 2's time. All in all if you decide to go, NEVER look back, anderste hou jy dit vir altyd teen jou

 

[yozzi]

Is this topic still open? As we're thinking of moving to Knysna this year and would love to know if anything has changed since the last post in 2010?

 

[The_Mowgs]

Is this topic still open? As we're thinking of moving to Knysna this year and would love to know if anything has changed since the last post in 2010?

There was a small fire a couple of years back

 

[neoprema]

Is this topic still open? As we're thinking of moving to Knysna this year and would love to know if anything has changed since the last post in 2010?

Depends on the person. I've been there, awesome area, scenery etc. but i'de rather live in Sandton anyday. I need my built-up cities, malls etc. Way too quiet for me down there.

 

[s0lar]

Is this topic still open? As we're thinking of moving to Knysna this year and would love to know if anything has changed since the last post in 2010?

Used to holiday there in the early 2000s to around the 2010s odd. Took family there for a mid year break away last year. Only difference is the “CBD” has gone a bit to the dogs like most since early 2000s. Other than that move a few kms out of town and it’s beautiful. Be prepared for laid back life though.

Edit: I moved from Rosebank up in JHB to a small coastal city in WC. Best thing I ever did for myself and family.

If your single perhaps not so much. Communities are close, take your dog for a walk and expect to greet your neighbours on the road by name. Kids love it too and won’t move back to JHB.

 

[yozzi]

Agree about the CBD and I would have thought they would have built a smaller sized mall anchored by PnP or Woolies or similar away from the town centre like most towns do and similar to Plett but I suppose space is the problem in and around the lagoon.

 

[pb41]

The CBD was badly affected by the Covid lockdowns and a complete absence of foreign tourists over the last 2 years. Knysna's economy and wellbeing is very dependant on tourism and especially on overseas visitors with lots of spending power due to our weak currency.
A large number of smaller shops and businesses closed down during these last 2 years. Also there was an ANC coalition in charge which naturally let the town deteriorate. With a DA coalition now back in control, things are improving. There is already a noticeable difference with potholes being repaired, roads being resurfaced, all the robots in working order, etc. With overseas tourists also gradually returning and an influx of new residents, I am sure the condition and attractiveness of Knysna will improve in the next few years..

 

[notayoba]

Is this topic still open? As we're thinking of moving to Knysna this year and would love to know if anything has changed since the last post in 2010?

Knysna's biggest problem is the N2 runs straight through the middle of town. Traffic is always a nightmare.

Rather move to Plett or Sedgefield.

 

[pb41]

The main road in Knysna is quite busy at certain times but there is a bypass road running past the Waterfront which is normally much quicker and less congested. The worst traffic by far is during holiday periods which fortunately are only for a few weeks of the year. Personally I would not base my decision on traffic issues.
There is definitely more optimism now in Knysna and an uptick in foreign tourism which is the lifeblood of the town. New shops and restaurants are opening up which is good sign. I believe there is a severe shortage of rental accomodation in Sedgefield and Knysna but I am not sure of the situation in Plett.

 

[notayoba]

I believe there is a severe shortage of rental accomodation in Sedgefield and Knysna but I am not sure of the situation in Plett.

Same in Plett. Almost no rental stock, and if you have pets, zero rental stock. A lot of the available rentals are only for 11 months of the year. Rental prices seem to have gone up by about 120% in the last 3 years. (based on my loose observations)

Buying is actually also quite tricky, sold out mostly, but if you can find something generally your bond will be the same or less than trying to rent right now. It's a weird situation. Plenty of development going on, so I reckon supply will start increasing and cool down the market a bit.

 

[yozzi]

Great comments guys and it leads me to ask a controversial question - can you compare Knysna and Plett and which town is the better to live in? Does it depend on the efficiency of the Municipalities, traffic issues in both towns, available general shopping, etc?

 

[The_Ogre]

Great comments guys and it leads me to ask a controversial question - can you compare Knysna and Plett and which town is the better to live in? Does it depend on the efficiency of the Municipalities, traffic issues in both towns, available general shopping, etc?

Nature's Valley

 

[pb41]

In my opinion, Knysna has more of a residential feel whereas Plett has the feel of a holiday village. Knysna is actually more laid back and relaxed while Plett has a bit of an edge to it. Plett to me is a mix of Cape Town and Sandton cultures and not necessarily the best parts of either. Knysna generally has warmer and friendlier people while those in Plett are somewhat colder. Of course I am making a very broad generalisation here. and I am probably biased as I live in Knysna. Plett definitely has the more accessible beaches. The closest long stretch of beach to Knysna is Brenton-on-Sea which is about a 20km drive from the town centre. However there are lagoon beaches at Bollard Bay and Leisure aisle which are great for young kids as the water is very shallow and has no waves. There is a small beach at Coney Glen in The Heads. The sea here is very rough with lots of rocky outcrops. Shopping is perhaps slightly better and more varied in Knysna although Plett is not lacking in this regard. Knysna has the larger choice of restaurants and there are some consistently good ones such as 34 Degrees South and Drydock at the Knysna Waterfront. The municipality in Knysna is pretty efficient and staff are usually pleasant and helpful. I cannot comment on Plett municipality as I have had no dealings with them.
Happy to answer any other questions you may have, especially on Knysna.

 

[diabolus]

I also agree, Sedgefield and even Wilderness feels much better than Knysna imho. I went through Knysna in January on holiday and stayed in Wilderness and Sedgefield many times.

I can't comment much on Plett, but Knysna's main street which you are kinda "forced" to go through is not what it used to be, there used to be very nice arts and crafts and a posh vibe , now it seems like combination of cheap china-sunglasses trash vendors and a bit of a deteriorated look. They also moved the local hand&craft market to some side street, and me being with european family was very disappointed with what that turned into, from a tourist perspective, covid totally killed it.

I am not convinced about the services and options in these holiday towns. My parents lives further up closer to PE at St Francis , and the municipality is a disaster. If all the people that owns houses in that town are actually there at the same time , they will not have enough water,elec,internet or service delivery [garbage removal etc] or stores to keep up. And then outside of peak season, it is like alot of services goes into hybernation because of low demand [which does not help things either] . So i would be probably do some serious research on the available capacity for permanent living , especially when significant amount of people show up there.

Personally i would live closer to George , as that actually is a proper city with an airport. So it is also easy to reach if you need to fly around. Plett is far from PE and George. So if i only had those 2 as options, i'd likely "err" on Knysna , based on proximity to George.

 

[notayoba]

Great comments guys and it leads me to ask a controversial question - can you compare Knysna and Plett and which town is the better to live in? Does it depend on the efficiency of the Municipalities, traffic issues in both towns, available general shopping, etc?

I guess it depends on what you want, Plett is the smaller dorpie, Knysna borders on becoming a city.
I live in plett, so 100% biased. But I reckon the following holds true

Knysna:
-Big enough to be anonymous
-Busier
-Better shopping
-Big traffic problems
-Main road is a mess of Chinese junk shops
-Lagoon is nice
-Doesn't actually have a beach
-More accommodation options

Plett:
-Smaller
-Quieter
-More relaxed.
-Has airport with direct flights to JHB and CTN with no need to arrive 1 hour early.
-Too small to be anonymous. Everyone knows everyone's business and you can't leave the house without running into 20 people you know
-Everything is within 5 minutes from everything.
-Plenty blue flag beaches
-Main road is pretty decent, and with parking
-An insane amount of excellent restaurants for a very small population
-A shtshow in season. Personally I leave most Decembers.
-You can do things like renew drivers license, or car disk, or passport within 1 hour of leaving your desk.
-Accommodation is expensive
-Growing VERY quickly at the moment. Families are struggling to find place in schools and so on.

 

[pb41]

Another issue is the perception of crime. I feel safer in Knysna even though there is some petty crime. When I am in Plett I feel I need to be more alert to potential criminal threats. This may just be a perception although there have been several murders in the Plett area in the last few years.
The different security situation can also be seen with a lot of Plett houses having electrified fencing compared to Knysna with very few having it. It may partly be due to the property owners being current or former Johannesburgers where it is regarded as a necessity.
I also think that race relations in Knysna are healthier. People of all races generally get on well here and are tolerant, friendly and welcoming towards each other. I don’t get that same feeling in Plett and there is some of that same racial tension you experience in our large cities, although on a much smaller scale.

 

[notayoba]

Another issue is the perception of crime. I feel safer in Knysna even though there is some petty crime. When I am in Plett I feel I need to be more alert to potential criminal threats.

I think that's 100% perception. I feel the exact opposite. When in Knysna I keep looking over my shoulder and worry where I can park. Feels like I'm about to be mugged or panhandled all the time. In Plett I just chill.

The different security situation can also be seen with a lot of Plett houses having electrified fencing compared to Knysna with very few having it. It may partly be due to the property owners being current or former Johannesburgers where it is regarded as a necessity.

I agree there. Feels like half of JHB moved here during the last 2 years, and the first thing any of them do is put up an electric fence. I don't even a have a normal fence around my house, my lawn runs onto the road.

I also think that race relations in Knysna are healthier. People of all races generally get on well here and are tolerant, friendly and welcoming towards each other. I don’t get that same feeling in Plett and there is some of that same racial tension you experience in our large cities, although on a much smaller scale.

I think you are correct on that one.