South Africa is a truly exciting country, with glorious landscape and a rich (but troubled) history. It’s quickly become a popular destination for expats looking for adventure, and a place to lay down their roots. With that being said, South African natives are also always looking for the best place to call home in their gorgeous country – so we’ve put together a list of the top 5 places to live in South Africa, so you can get off on the right foot.
5. Pretoria
Pretoria is one of South Africa’s three capital cities. Located in the Gauteng province, this city is known for its lush plant life and student population. Pretoria is a relatively small city, with around 2,473,000 inhabitants. It offers a quieter vibe than Johannesburg, while still being located in close distance to various cultural heritage sites like the Cradle of Humankind.
4. Durban
Durban is a city of around 3.8 million people, located on the Eastern coast of South Africa. It’s known for its warm, tropical weather and gorgeous beaches. The cost of living in Durban is relatively well, and residents can take advantage of the weather and diverse culture all year round.
3. Johannesburg
Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest metropolitan city, with around 5,780,000 inhabitants. Joburg is known as a buzzing business center, with superb nightlife and rich culture. Joburg used to have quite a sketchy reputation, but urban regeneration projects in areas like Maboneng have uplifted previously disadvantaged areas and turned them into hubs of culture and innovation.
Areas like Linden and Greenside are popular for nightlife, as well as with young families. If you’re looking for a place to live, that’s a good start.
2. Knysna
Knysna is a town of around 85,000 inhabitants, located in the Western Cape of South Africa. Knysna is known for its spectacular landscapes, ocean views, and restaurants. The waterfront is a popular tourist destination, boasting awesome food experiences and shopping. Arguably the most beautiful suburb in Knysna is Belvedere, but it can get quite pricey.
1. Cape Town
Google “best places to live in South Africa” and you’ll almost definitely come across Cape Town at the top of every single list. Cape Town is the tourist hub of South Africa, and for good reason. This gorgeous city has spectacular natural beauty, including Table Mountain which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. As far as costs go, it’s quite expensive – but less so that other world class cities like Sydney or London. Cape Town truly is magical. From the diverse array of cultures, to the food, beaches, and nightlife, this city is one of a kind.
