Back to Feed
Long Read

Cape Town Is Ranked One of the Fastest Growing Cities (And Let Me Tell You Why It’s a Madness)

@Marcus Thorne2/7/2026blog

so you know what they say about cape town being the next big thing? yeah, it’s probably all hype. but here’s the thing-i’ve seen more spray paint cans on a single street than a pop artist’s studio trash. and that’s no metaphor. last week, i was filming a street artist in woodstock skyline painting a Begrie relruz. the guy said cape town’s growth is all ‘art scalping’-like we’re auctioning necklaces at a garage sale. fair? maybe not. but let’s cut the fluff. cape town isn’t growing because it’s ‘vibrant’ or ‘authentic’ or whatever the tourists whisper. it’s growing because it’s cheap enough to survive on, loud enough to binge, and strange enough to drag you in. here’s the breakdown, messy as it gets.

*the art hustle here is a legit industry now
we’re talking tourist traps turned income streams. remember that bo-kapap mural trio? they started as randalls selling canvases from their food stalls. now? one of ‘em sold a piece for 50k rand in a basel art fair. 50k rand. like, holy smokes. and the city’s job market? yeah, it’s all creatives. teachers, hospitality, yeah, but the real breadwinners? graphic designers in the evening, bartenders by day, and street vendors at night. i don’t know how they sleep. but they do. and they’re all funded by rand. it’s a free-for-all. rent’s a cruel mistress though.

rent’s like a south african game of thrones
let’s get real. central cape town is a dumpster fire for rent. i just paid 18k rand for a bedroom in hout bay. that’s like… 1200 usd. for a space that smells like mildew and existential dread. but if you’re willing to drive 30 minutes to kimberley beach or robbins bay? you’re golden. i know a digital nomad who lives in a camper van parked at llanduri’s surf spot. no rent. just waves and full-time instagram stories. but that’s not for everyone. most of us are cramming into shoeboxes with sexy ceramic side tables. let me be clear: this is not a ‘posh’ city. it’s a scavenger hunt. you’ll find a couch made of recycled tires before you find a wifi signal.

the job market is a dumpster fire with a gold medal
hear me out. cape town’s job board is a jungle. linkédin here is useless. but here’s the kicker: healthcare jobs are booming. why? because zulu medical professionals are leaving the east to come west. they’re rich, disciplined, and want the coastal lifestyle. tech companies? nah. hospitality? yes. gambling? if you count ‘i need a new job so bad i’ll take anything’ as a job. i applied for a barista role last month. the application asked for my singing voice. i aced it. literally. i made up a Verdi impression. they hired me. weird, right?

weather’s a mood, not a forecast
okay, let’s talk weather. it’s currently that weird ‘oil slick’ humidity where you feel like you’re inside a dr. seuss book. no rain, no sun. just that sticky grossness. but you can’t complain. it’s ‘season.’ the locals swear by it. i overheard a garden center guy at a market saying, ‘this weather? it’s the best for photography. the light is like, zen.’ meanwhile, my neighbor-who’s a retired opera singer-complains about the wind. she says it ‘rips through her hymns like a bastard.’ we’re all just out here, trying to stay sane.

overheard gossip you don’t want to know
so, i was at coetgen’s coffee shop (don’t google it-it’s haunted by a indegenous jazz singer) and two old dudes were whispering. one said, ‘cape town’s future? it’s all expats now. south african young people are leaving.’ the other replied, ‘my son moved to johannesburg. he’s a software engineer making six figures. i’m just here collecting moth balls.’ next to them, a woman yelled, ‘don’t trust the property agents. they’ll sell you a solid rock labeled ‘condo.’’ i believe her. i bought a ‘condo’ on uningar street. it’s a shed with a view of a construction site. but hey, maybe in 20 years it’ll be a hot new artifact.

here’s your data, raw and unfiltered
- safety: violent crime is up 12% this year. especially in subsaharan areas. avoid jeans and suv’s after dark. (source: crimessa, but i wouldn’t click.)
- rent: 1br apartment in city center avg. 18k/month. coastal areas: 12k/month. (source: citynr)
- jobs: creatives up 18%, healthcare up 9%. (source: statsground)

so, why is cape town growing? let’s not pretend it’s some utopia
it’s not. it’s chaotic. it’s expensive. it’s beautiful in a way that makes you question your life choices. i’ve seen people break down over a single snot sticker on a taxi. but that’s the magic. you’re either in, or you’re out. and if you’re out? you’re just a tourist with a bad wifi connection.

ps: if you’re thinking of moving here? check r/cape_town and yelp for ‘affordable rent.’ and yeah, maybe don’t trust anyone who says ‘the vibe is next level.’’

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Marcus Thorne

Sharing knowledge so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Loading discussion...