The group of Suburbs lying South East of the City Bowl and Table Mountain, in Cape Town are collectively known as the 'Southern Suburbs', these include: 'Rosebank; Rondebosch; Observatory; Mowbray; Pinelands; Claremont; Kenilworth; Newlands; Constantia; Bishopscourt; and Wynberg'. These Areas are more established and sought after than their Northern counterparts. Although property right at on the Coastal Atlantic Seaboard, is still amongst the most exclusive in Cape Town! Unfortunately, space in these Areas is running low, because of the Ares available between the Mountain, Nature Reserve and the Sea. That is the reason for the City's Residential Areas as well as Industry and people being encouraged, to move into theNorthern Suburbs and Blaauwberg Areas. In conclusion, while there are exceptions, the general trend is for property rates to increase from the Northern Suburbs to the Southern Suburbs and the Winelands, with the Atlantic Seaboard being the most expensive.
For the most part, the Southern Suburbs lie at the base of Table Mountain National Park which forms, a Mountainous backbone that stretches all the way from Signal Hill to Cape Point. This creates an impressive backdrop that infuses the Southern Suburbs with a natural leafiness-(as shown in the picture). This is in most part, due to the frequent blanket of clouds that tend to hang over the Mountain and relative shelter from the wind.
The Southern Suburbs are predominantly Residential and most of them incredibly pretty with a variety of older-style homes that range from cottage-style semis in Mowbray, Claremont and Wynberg, to more ornate and certainly far larger homes in Constantia, Newlands and Bishopscourt.
Extensive gardens, pretty shopping Areas like Cavendish Street from the Vineyard Road corner in Claremont, and Wynberg Village. The cosmopolitan Main Road of Observatory and attractions like Kirstenbosch, Mostert's Mill in Mowbray, the Baxter Theatre in Rosebank and the Irma Stern Museum, make this part of Cape Town rather attractive.
It is also the home of the University of Cape Town, which lies on the Mountain above Rosebank, Rondebosch, Mowbray and Obs. (As a result these parts are often a good place in which to party and there are many student digs with a lively street atmosphere!) Your cost of living in Cape Town will depend on: 'your lifestyle, the Area you choose, and your financial goals'.
The Southern Suburbs, were some of the earliest parts of Cape Town to develop - most especially the Areas around the Constantia Winelands. During the Apartheid Era, the Southern Suburbs was a predominantly "whites only" Residential Area.
"As of mid-2025, the Southern Suburbs had some of Cape Town's highest property prices, with some large detached homes selling for as much as around R80 Million. The Region is among the most popular in South Africa for real estate, both with Local and International buyers."