Best places to live in South Africa

South Africa is a very popular destination amongst British expats looking to move abroad. It is known to be one of the most diverse countries in the world and offers expats plenty of exciting opportunities. The cost of living here is relatively low, and the amazing wildlife and warm weather are just a few more reasons why South Africa is so popular with the adventuring Brits.  

The country is made up of nine provinces for expats to choose from, which makes the task of choosing where to live in South Africa a little overwhelming. To help you narrow down your selection, we have put together a list of the main cities in South Africa that will offer the best security and quality of life for people moving to the country.  

Durban  

Durban is located in Eastern South Africa and is the countries third largest city. It is well known for it’s idyllic beaches, fantastic warm weather and sunny climate. The city is a natural paradise and is home to one of the busiest ports in Africa (which makes it super easy for Anglo Pacific to ship your goods to Durban!) As well as being the major seaport in South Africa, the city has a well developed manufacturing industry, finance, government sectors and growing tourism, so there are a great range of job opportunities to choose from here.    

Many expats that live here compare it to European or American cities, due to it’s modern design and great diversity. Around 14% of the population here are Europeans and the city is very popular with Indian expats , due to it’s history of being the one time home of Mahatma Ghandi.    

Durban is one of the safest cities in South Africa, but as with anywhere it’s always sensible to ensure you precautions regularly. Many of the residential communities in the city are gated communities, with brilliant security systems, so you will have no reason not to feel safe in your own home.    

Cape Town  

Cape Town is one of the most popular destination for expats moving to South Africa, because it is proven to provide the best quality of life. Many expats choose to move here as the city has a good mix between traditional and modern life. It is rich in history and iconic landmarks, as well as modern amenities and architecture. Cape Town is home to South Africa’s most incredible natural sites, including approximately 130 mountains, such as Table Mountain and Helderberg Mountain, as well as beautiful beaches. The city centre is a vibrant, bustling hub  and the surrounding suburbs are the perfect place to to live as an expat.   

The younger generation find Cape Town a very appealing city to live in, as this is a place where vision and dreams are priorities and where the bigger picture just keeps growing. As well as being an inspiring city to live in, there are plenty of places for young people to socialise with friends after a long day at work.  

Talking of work, the city is also great for those looking to take up employment in the city. Cape Town is a global business hub, so there are plenty of exciting opportunities for everyone. Tourism, hospitality and transport are all big businesses in this city, and surprising… so is wine! You will find many corporate and industrial companies here too, with marketing, finance and retail as some of the largest finacially growing sectors.   

Johannesburg  

Johannesburg is in North Eastern South Africa and is a great place to live for British expats. The cities hot summers and cool, mild winters are just one of the reasons why people are drawn in. If you are looking for somewhere to live where the winters are never too old then this could be the perfect place for you. The average temperature in the winter is around 19 degrees (in comparison to the UK this is bliss!), and the summer temperatures can average around 26 degrees.   

The job market here is also very appealing for British expats and after all, the city is South Africa’s economic hub… so what can you expect! The majority of international and local businesses choose to locate their headquarters in this city, so there are countless options if you are looking for a job here. Tourism is an ever growing industry here, as the city is so well connected to the rest of the world and there are a wide range of attractions here which make it a bit of a hub.   

If you don’t fancy living right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, then Johannesburg is home to surrounding neighbourhoods, all of which have their own personalities. There  is something for everyone here, with the family-friendly areas, the hip and trendy areas, the lavish areas and the student areas.   

Safest places to live in South Africa: 

Unfortunately, South Africa has a reputation for having high crime levels, but in fact the risk to expats is actually very low. The reason for this is that the crime happens in places where expats tend to stay away from – as you would in any other part of the world. The sad reality is that wherever you move to in the world, there will always be crime.  

Although the cities listed above are known to be very safe areas of South Africa, if you are still concerned then we have put together a list of  some areas you may want to consider that you may have never heard of before.  

The West Coast  

The west coast of South Africa is home to some of the safest towns for expats to live in, for example St. Helena Bay, Yzerfontein and Churchhaven. The west coast is popular with expats who are in search of a more peaceful, laidback lifestyle in comparison to the hustle and bustle of city life.  

Port St. Johns  

Port St. Johns lies along the coast of the Indian Ocean. This area is very popular with expats who are moving to South Africa with their family, as good schools are within close proximity. It provides for those who are looking for a relaxed lifestyle and who want to be surrounded by some of South Africa’s most amazing natural beauties. 

The Garden Route  

Located between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route is a cluster of South African towns that are perfect for expats with young families. Some higher end properties can be found here and the estates have excellent security measures in place… some are even near the golf course!  

If you are thinking of moving to South Africa, get in contact with Anglo Pacific today to see how we can help.