Another town in South Africa voted as the best to live in

·6 Aug 2026

Cullinan was named one of the best small towns in South Africa to live in, making it one of the country’s top destinations for residents seeking a quieter lifestyle.

In December 2025, the Daily Maverick crowned the town as one of its Small Towns of the Year after it achieved an impressive score of 89.3%.

The rankings were the result of a months-long selection process. Readers first nominated their favourite small towns, with 2,069 nominations submitted from across South Africa.

Nine writers, each representing a province, researched the nominations and selected a provincial winner before personally visiting each shortlisted town.

The towns were assessed on seven criteria: cleanliness, municipal performance, community spirit, safety, natural environment, family friendliness and connectivity.

Daily Maverick also said the final decision considered what it called the “M-Factor” – the unique atmosphere and character that gives each town its identity.

Cullinan was ranked the fourth-best small town to live in, just behind Barrydale in the Western Cape, White River in Mpumalanga, and Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape.

Located just east of Pretoria, Cullinan has changed from a historic mining settlement into a popular tourism and residential destination while preserving much of its original character.

The town was established in 1902 after diamonds were discovered in the area and was named after diamond magnate Sir Thomas Cullinan.

It gained worldwide recognition in 1905 when the Cullinan Diamond was unearthed at the local mine.

Weighing 3,106 carats – approximately 621 grams and about the size of a human fist – it remains the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.

More than a century later, the mine continues to attract attention, most recently after recovering a 41.82-carat blue diamond.

Cullinan was originally built as a company town to support the mine and has retained much of its Edwardian and Victorian-era architecture.

The average cost to buy a home in Cullinan

Unlike many historic South African towns that have modernised significantly, its central business district has been carefully preserved.

Oak Avenue, the town’s main street, is lined with mature oak trees and original stone cottages that today house restaurants, cafés, art galleries and boutique shops.

The heritage setting has made Cullinan one of Gauteng’s best-known tourism destinations. Among its landmarks is the McHardy House Museum, built in 1903 as the residence of the mine’s first manager, William McHardy.

The restored home offers visitors a glimpse into life during South Africa’s diamond boom. Another notable attraction is St George’s Anglican Church, designed by renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker, who also designed Pretoria’s Union Buildings.

Residents often refer to Cullinan as the “Diamond Village”, reflecting its mining heritage. The town is also recognised for its clean streets, reliable basic services and well-maintained public spaces, with painted diamond symbols displayed throughout the town.

Cullinan was part of the Nokeng tsa Taemane Local Municipality before it was incorporated into the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in 2011, following the former municipality’s dissolution due to financial mismanagement.

The town’s improving municipal standards have coincided with broader improvements in Tshwane, which has progressed from an adverse audit opinion to a qualified one in recent years.

Property prices also remain relatively accessible compared with many sought-after residential areas.

Average selling prices generally range between R1 million and R1.4 million, while most freehold homes are marketed between R1.1 million and R2.5 million, depending on size and location.

Two- and three-bedroom homes typically sell for around R1.2 million to R1.4 million, while larger four- and five-bedroom properties command higher prices.