Cape Town has emerged among the world’s rising destinations for highly mobile executives, as quality of life increasingly trumps tax or technology in shaping where remote professionals choose to live.

According to an: “Executive Nomad Index” published by a global property company, Savills, Cape Town was ranked 22nd out of the Top 30 destinations.

Dubai was in first place while Abu Dhabi was second. The top five were rounded out by Malaga in Spain, Miami, and Lisbon.

The report shows how the profile of the nomad is shifting. Many are now senior professionals relocating with families, which makes education, healthcare, safety, and access to leisure space decisive factors. “The winners combine fast internet, flight connections and lifestyle with accessible healthcare and schooling,” the study notes.

For Cape Town, the pull lies not just in broadband and global connectivity, but in its beaches, wine country, and creative energy, which have become strong draws for executives seeking a balance between work and quality of life.

The report also noted that the geographic spread of cities in the index was wide, with Auckland ranked 9th, Tokyo at 11th, Vancouver at 18th, and Berlin ranked at 28th. The report also noted that the effect on property markets is marked, with prime rents across the 30 tracked destinations rising 2.9% this year as demand stays high.