South Africa is chock-full of lovely small towns.

One such village in the Overberg lies between popular coastal destinations Hermanus and Gaansbaai.

But it offers something that could be lacking along the coast: a retreat from summertime tourists.

Retirement in a Riverside Town

Stanford in the Overberg, with the Klein River running through it, has a population of 7 533.

Although the town’s borders reach the shoreline, it isn’t home to any oceanfront property because of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.

Instead, Stanford offers peaceful living within stone-throwing distance of the coast.

But it’s not a town with nothing to do.

Retirees could enjoy horse riding, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and wine tasting as part of their daily activities.

According to ScienceDirect, the active lifestyle offered by an area like Stanford can improve the quality of life as you age.

Buying Affordable Land in Stanford

Most properties listed for sale in Stanford surpass R2 million.

Gorgeous homes with sprawling gardens list for as much as R8 million.

According to Property24, the average sale price as of August 2026 is R2.5 million.

But tucked away in what real estate agents are calling Stanford’s more “budget-friendly” area is Stanford South.

The area is slowly undergoing a renewal as buyers want to grab the last remaining affordable plots in the Overberg.

Plots in this part of Stanford start at R250 000.

Much like Hawston in Hermanus, where the average plot sells for R400 000.

These parts of the Overberg were previously seen as less desirable.

Now, they are becoming more appealing because they have attainable pricing in the region.

Proximity is everything in these just-off-the-coast villages.

Stanford has everything a Western Cape-bound retiree could want:

  • Wine farms
  • River cruises
  • Coastal access
  • Art galleries
  • Museums
  • Quiet community

In Stanford South, where you can buy land for as little as R250 000, retirees also get affordable access.

Is Renewal Enough?

But there’s a caveat.

Stanford has become a victim of crime.

The area has an 7.77% crime rate, with 59 residential burglaries reported in the 12 months ending March 2026.

Most of the crime reported in the area is drug-related.

According to Statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS), between April 2025 and March 2026, 236 drug-related crimes were reported.

These sorts of statistics call into question whether the town is suitable for retirees.

Especially for retirees looking for a bargain, who may not buy property in a gated complex.

There are glimmers of hope.

The town has an active neighbourhood watch.

Could this be enough to persuade older buyers to the area?