Retreat has a safety index of 38 out of 100 (Moderate reported crime). This is a relative measure comparing reported crime across Cape Town suburbs, not an absolute safety guarantee. The Steenberg precinct recorded approximately 4,100 crimes in the most recent annual period. Absolute crime volume is near the city average.

Is Retreat affordable?

Retreat sits in the mid-range for Cape Town property values. The median is R1.3M, placing it in the 37th percentile, broadly in line with the city median. Note that these figures are based on the City of Cape Town General Valuation 2022 and reflect municipal valuations, not necessarily current market prices.

What are utility costs in Retreat?

The median monthly water cost per account in Retreat is R364, 45% below the city median of R658. The median monthly electricity cost per account in Retreat is R1,930, 2% above the median of CoCT-billed suburbs of R1,900.

What is the municipal debt in Retreat?

As of May 2026, the average outstanding municipal debt per account in Retreat is R12,615, 43% above the city median of R8,815. Figures include all account types, so may overstate household debt in areas with commercial activity.

Retreat

A suburb with moderate reported crime, below-average property values, and strong school performance relative to Cape Town.

Safety38/100Precinct estimate only Property800k-1MTop 63%Schools986% matric pass rate Healthcare10 facilitiesmore access than most suburbs CouncilNear avg complaints2d median resolution TransportMinibus taxi coveragewell-connected area

Data current as of June 2026

The neighbourhood

What's it like to live here?

Retreat is a neighbourhood in False Bay, Cape Town, where property values are moderate by Cape Town standards. The area's safety profile is below the city average for reported safety. There is a strong presence of places of worship serving the community. The dominant commuter mode is private vehicle.

How is the area changing?

In Retreat, crime levels are stable based on the most recent quarterly comparison. Property values have grown above inflation between valuation rolls.

What should buyers know?

Retreat is well-served by schools, and matric results sit slightly below the city average. In this area, service complaints are generally resolved within a few days. The suburb is well-served by nearby healthcare facilities.

Neighbourhood summary generated from StreetSignal data and reviewed by our team.

These statistics describe the suburb as a whole. Conditions vary between streets and neighbourhoods within any suburb.

For home buyers & families

Is Retreat safe?

Moderate reported crime

Higher crimeModerateLower crime

29th percentile among 744 suburbs · precinct-level data, may not reflect this suburb · Data: Q4 2025/2026 (Jan–Mar 2026) · relative index, not an absolute safety measure

ModerateAbsolute crime volume

4 100 reported crimes per year · city median: 4 280

↓ 3.0% vs Q3 2024

Crime sits in the middle range for Cape Town. Contact crime (assault, robbery) dominates the reported crime profile.

Detailed data

Safety index (resident-adjusted) How is this calculated?: 38 / 100Limited data — why?
Contact crime rate: 306,303 per 100k residents
Station population: 83 766
Harm rate (per resident): 39/100
Harm volume (absolute): 37/100
Data period: Q4 2025/2026 (Jan–Mar 2026)
Source: SAPS via DataFirst · CC-BY 4.0

Precinct confidence note: Retreat is a mixed-income area within the Steenberg precinct. Parts of Retreat experience significantly higher crime than the precinct average suggests, particularly near the Lavender Hill boundary.

Because precinct-level data does not reliably represent Retreat, this suburb has been excluded from safety-dependent rankings (Safest Suburbs, Best for Families, Affordable & Safe, Best for Investment, Most Improved). The safety index shown above reflects the Steenberg precinct as a whole and should not be taken as representative of Retreat specifically.

Full methodology

This data reflects crimes reported to SAPS Steenberg precinct, which covers Retreat and surrounding suburbs. Reported crime may differ from actual crime levels.Full methodology

Disagree with this score? Challenge the methodology ›

Source: SAPS via DataFirst · Q4 2025/2026

FOR BUYERS & INVESTORS

What do properties cost in Retreat?

37th percentile

Planned development

23 hectares of land in Retreat are earmarked for new development across 13 parcels, primarily Mixed Use (10ha) and High Density Residential (8ha), and 2 other categories.

Source: CCT District Spatial Development Framework (January 2023). Development areas indicate planning designation, not construction timelines.

The median property value in Retreat is R1.3M. Property values have grown by 9.8% per year since 2018.

A 9.8% annual growth rate (CAGR) over the valuation period.

Value band distribution – Retreat properties (GV2022)

2-400k

4-600k

6-800k

800k-1M ◀

1-1.5M

1.5-2M

2-2.5M

Property values are based on the City of Cape Town's 2022 General Valuation roll. GV is an assessed value for municipal rating purposes; transaction prices frequently exceed GV. Recent sales transaction data and rental market data are not available as open data in South Africa.

Median GV2022: R1,310,000
Value growth (CAGR 2018–2022): +9.8% per year↑ Growing
City-wide value percentile: 37th percentile
Dominant value band: 800k-1M
Source: CCT GV 2022 · Open Data Policy 27781
Vintage: General Valuation 2022 (municipal valuation, not current market price)

Source: City of Cape Town GV2022

FOR RESIDENTS

What do utilities cost in Retreat?

Computed from City of Cape Town billing data

Water

R364 / month

45% below city median

Electricity

R1 930 / month

2% above median of CoCT-billed suburbs

Water trend:Dec 2025: R376Jan 2026: R364Feb 2026: R307

Electricity trend:Dec 2025: R2 027Jan 2026: R1 930Feb 2026: R1 183

Monthly cost per account from City of Cape Town billing data. Water coverage: 647 suburbs. Electricity coverage: 384 suburbs.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

Development activity in Retreat

↑ Increasing

Retreat had 161 building plans approved in the last three financial years (FY22/23 to FY24/25), averaging 54 per year. Most were renovations and extensions.

3-year approvals: 161
Annual average: 54/yr
Avg project value: R1.3M

Building plans approved by the City of Cape Town (2014-2025). Approvals indicate planned investment, not completed construction. This data reflects formal building activity only and does not capture informal construction, backyard dwellings, or building work undertaken without a formal plan submission. In areas with high informality, actual construction activity may be substantially higher than these figures suggest. Source: CoCT Building Development Management (DAMS).

FOR PARENTS

How are schools in Retreat?

9 schools nearby

Retreat has 9 schools within reach. The area matric pass rate is 85.9%, below the city median of 90.0%. Schools include Thomas Wildschutt Junior Primary School.

Adjusted pass rate: 85.9%; City median: 90.0%
Schools contributing: 1; 103 candidates
Median quintile: Q4; Q4-Q5

Q4
Thomas Wildschutt Junior Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 421 learners · 28.1:1 learner-educator ratio
Favourable class size
Q4
Delta Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 818 learners · 34.1:1 learner-educator ratio
Q4
Lourier Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 452 learners · 32.3:1 learner-educator ratio
Q5
Square Hill Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,004 learners · 30.4:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q4
Thomas Wildschutt Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 436 learners · 31.1:1 learner-educator ratio
Q4
Crestway Secondary School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,136 learners · 29.9:1 learner-educator ratio
Favourable class size
–
Blouvlei Skool
Public · Special needs · 189 learners · 13.5:1 learner-educator ratio
Specialist provision
–
Cafda School Of Skills
Public · Special needs · 351 learners · 18.5:1 learner-educator ratio
Specialist provision
Q4
St. Mary'S Rc Primary School(Retreat)
Public · Grades R–7 · 631 learners · 35.1:1 learner-educator ratio

Quintile 5 is the highest government-funding category - fees apply, but these are the best-resourced public schools in South Africa. Rankings set by the WCED against community socioeconomic index. Learner-educator ratio (LER) is from EMIS Q2 2025; under 30:1 is favourable by WCED standards, over 40:1 indicates strained capacity. What quintile means ›

Source: DBE EMIS · Q2 2025

FOR COMMUTERS

How connected is Retreat?

Vehicle-led mix

Retreat has 41 minibus taxi routes. The most common way people get to work is by private vehicle (33%).

Taxi connectivity

Well connected

41 routes

82nd percentile · 27 destinations

7th & 11th ave,retreat, Athlone (via klip rd, plantation, wetton, lansdowne & jan smuts dr), Athlone (via m5 & klipfontein rd), Athlone (via m5, ottery rd, rosmead, milner & klipfontein), Capricorn,retreat, Constantia - wynberg +21 more

Based on CCT minibus taxi route data. Routes matched by name and spatial proximity (500m). Methodology ›

Commute mode share

A mixed transport profile. Multiple modes serve Retreat – consider proximity to work when evaluating.

Private vehicle

33%

Walking

28%

MyCiTi bus

19%

Minibus taxi

15%

Cape Town transport context: In South African cities, transport mode is a socioeconomic proxy – high private vehicle = affluent, high minibus taxi = working class, high walking = structural necessity not preference. StreetSignal reports modal share rather than a walkability index, which would misrepresent SA urban mobility. Methodology ›

Dominant mode: Private vehicle (33%)
Source: CCT Household Survey 2024

Source: City of Cape Town Open Data · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

What are living conditions in Retreat?

Full municipal services

Retreat has a service delivery index of 99 out of 100, above the city median of 84.5. 67% of dwellings are formal structures.

Computed from the City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey, Retreat survey group (48 households). direct.

› Monthly accommodation expenditure (R437) is 0.3× the city median of R1,674.› Social grants reach 50% of households, providing a critical income safety net.

Access to basic services

99City median: 85

Piped water: 94.9%
Flush toilet: 99.9%
Weekly refuse: 99.9%
Grid electricity: 99.9%

Housing & tenure – Mixed tenure community

67City median: 68

Formal dwellings: 67.4%
Owner-occupied: 53.1%
Rented: 21.1%

Environmental risk – Low risk exposure

1risk index · higher = greater risk · City median: 26

Flooding risk: 0.0%
Fire risk: 1.3%
Violent crime: 0.0%
Non-violent crime: 0.0%

Economic structure – Moderate material pressure

Food spending share: 44.3%; Share of income spent on food
City median: 35.3%
Under pressure, limited discretionary income · 33rd percentile
Hardship dimensions: 1; Areas of material need (out of 8)
Grant income share: 50.0%; of households receiving grants
Monthly savings: R14; Weighted mean per household

Digital inclusion – Mixed-access suburb

Home fibre: 59.6%; City median: 46.5%
Mobile only: 28.4%
No access: 12.0%

Food security

Adult food insecurity: 7.0%; City median: 18.3%
Child food insecurity: 5.6%; City median: 13.0%
Food insecurity prevalence: 5.6%; City median: 22.3%

Demographics & community

Avg household size: 3.7 people
Avg children per household: 1.1

Asset ownership

Computer access: 29.3%
Fridge ownership: 89.3%
Property ownership: 0.0%
Geyser ownership: 47.5%
Borehole access: 7.9%

Home-based economy

Home-based business: 7.4%; of households operate a home-based business

Source: City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey. Survey group: Retreat. direct.

Energy access

36%

Free basic electricity

5.6%

City median

36% of electricity connections in Retreat receive free basic electricity under the City's indigent support programme. Free basic electricity is a constitutional entitlement providing a monthly allocation to qualifying households. The proportion reflects the reach of the City's indigent support in this suburb, not a measure of poverty.

Source: CCT prepaid electricity data (2025/11/30 to 2026/01/31). Covers prepaid connections only. Credit-metered households are not included. 17,876 connections.

Source: City of Cape Town household survey · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

How responsive are municipal services in Retreat?

Responsive

The City of Cape Town resolves service requests in Retreat in a median of 2 days, compared to the city-wide median of 1 day. This is based on 21,460 service requests to the City of Cape Town.

Computed from City of Cape Town service request data

Below-average municipal responsiveness. A 2-day median resolution is slower than the city median – infrastructure complaints take meaningfully longer to resolve.

Median days to resolve
City median: 1

38th

Percentile
across Cape Town

30%

Resolved
same day

Power outage (10%)Suspect Tampering (7%)Street lights out (5%)Sewerage overflow (5%)Single street light out (4%)

Service requests logged: 21 460
Requests resolved: 72% (15 490 of 21 460)
75% resolved within: 6 days
90% resolved within: 20 days
Source: CCT service request database

Community & faith

Places of worship

28 registered

Christian

Islamic

Places of worship per suburb from City of Cape Town open data, supplemented with OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Coverage: 373 of 744 suburbs.

Municipal complaints

Complaints & top issues

Near city average

Complaint rate How is this calculated?: 2718.1 per 1,000 households
Total complaints: 21 383
Unresolved: 28.0%

Top issues: Power outage (2 098), Suspect Tampering (1 527), Sewerage overflow (1 098)

Source: City of Cape Town C3 service requests

MUNICIPAL FINANCE

Municipal debt in Retreat

43% above city median

Computed from City of Cape Town financial data

Municipal debt in Retreat averages R12 615 per account, compared to the city median of R8 815.

R12 615

per account

43% above city median

Trend:Mar 2026: R12 439Apr 2026: R13 406May 2026: R12 615

Breakdown as of May 2026

Property rates: R10 617 409
Electricity: R24 013 267
Water: R9 534 807
Refuse: R3 165 368
Sewerage: R4 858 004
City-wide cleaning: R227 113
Improvement district: R0

Outstanding municipal arrears from City of Cape Town financial records. Coverage: 741 suburbs. Per-account figures available for 582 suburbs.

FOR FAMILIES

What services are near Retreat?

Well served

Healthcare access

10 within 5km

Nearest public: D.P. Marais Santa TB Hospital · Provincial Hospital · 1.2 km
Nearest private: Melomed Tokai · Private Hospital · 1.6 km
Public facilities: 8
Private facilities: 2

This suburb has access to both public and private healthcare within 5 km.

The nearest fire station to Retreat is Lakeside, 3.4 km away. The nearest public pool is Retreat Swimming Pool, 0.4 km away. The nearest clinic is D.P. Marais Santa Tb Hospital, 1.2 km away.

Nearest clinic: D.P. Marais Santa Tb Hospital · 1.2 km
Nearest library: Retreat · 0.5 km
Nearest park / open space: Seventh Ave Pos · 0.18 km