George

George is situated in the heart of South Africa's stunning garden route, halfway between Cape Town and Gqeberha. The area is characterised by Instagram-worthy views of the surrounding Outeniqua mountains as well as rivers, forests and picture-perfect farmlands. It serves as a convenient base for those wishing to make the most of everything the Garden Route has to offer.

George's airports/routes: travel effortlessly

George has its own airport, which makes travelling to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Bloemfontein a breeze. Residents of George have easy access to the N2 highway heading in both directions to Cape Town and Gqeberha.

George's history: uncover the backstory

The abundance of timber available in the Outeniqua forests caught the attention of the Dutch East India Company, and in the 1770s, they established a woodcutters' outpost on the land that would become George. If you look at the ancient English oak tree in front of the Old Library in George, you'll be looking at one of the original trees planted when George was laid out in 1811. Now a national monument, the tree is called the "Slave Tree" because of the chain and lock embedded in its trunk.

George's weather: discover the patterns

Residents of George get to enjoy great weather all year round. The warmest months of the year are from December to April, when temperatures typically rise into the mid to high 20s or low 30s. In winter, temperatures typically rise into the low 20s, while dropping to below 10°C at night. The area receives fairly consistent rainfall throughout the year.

George's schools: set your child up for success

George is equipped with an array of great primary schools and high schools to set your child up for success. Primary schools in the area include Laerskool George-Suid, Holy Cross Primary School and Laerskool Outeniqua. When it's time for high school, learners can go to George High School, York High School or Hoërskool Outeniqua. Private schools in the area include Curro George and Glenwood House School.

George's healthcare: get treated by the best

Mediclinic George is the place to go in any medical emergency. For non-urgent medical care, you'll find a wide range of medical professionals in George, ranging from general practitioners and optometrists to physiotherapists, chiropractors, dentists and many others.

George's shopping scene: enjoy some retail therapy

Garden Route Mall is George's premier shopping destination. With a wide array of shops ranging from groceries and department stores to health, beauty, fashion, interior décor and much more, Garden Route Mall has your needs met. Other smaller shopping centres in George include Paddagat Shopping Centre and Heather Park Shopping Centre.

George's special attractions: have a fun day out

Residents of George can use a day off to get acquainted with what Redberry Farm describes as "the country life and sweet berry experience". Whether you choose to pick your own strawberries, navigate the hedge maze, let your child experience the joy of a pony ride or meet the Redberry rabbits, you'll have a fantastic time at Redberry Farm.

Another great thing to do in George is visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum, where you'll learn about steam locomotives.

When you need a dose of the great outdoors, the Garden Route Botanical Gardens await with its breathtaking displays of flora and fauna.

Find a home that inspires you in George

George is renowned for having beauty that will take your breath away. It also has every amenity that a family could need and a wide array of stunning homes. Start your journey to life in George by browsing the range of properties for sale in the area.

Image credit - image 3: Strawberry picking at Redberry Farm, George, Western Cape, South Africa by South African Tourism | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 | https://bit.ly/3pAKm3w