13 Best Places To Live In South Africa

Relocating to a new country is a big decision and you’ll want to make sure that your new choice of country has all the amenities and conveniences needed for you to best enjoy your chosen lifestyle.

Expats who relocate to South Africa are drawn to the country for its glorious weather, outstanding scenery and welcoming residents.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Argentina for immigrants, families, singles and more.

Sections

Best Places To Live In South Africa

City	Reason
Johannesburg	Best for work
Richards Bay	Best for affordability
Cape Town	Best for families
Cape Town, south suburbs	Best for immigrants
Johannesburg	Best for retirement
Cape Town, Zonnebloem	Best for young adults
Franschhoek and Cape Town	Best for food and nightlife
Knysna	Best for singles
Cape Town, Waterkant	Best for the LGBT+ community
Johannesburg	Best for the weather
Durban	Best for beaches
Pretoria	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Work

The economic hub of South Africa is Johannesburg, which is also home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and is located in the eastern plateau of the country.

Many international and South African businesses have offices in Johannesburg, so it’s one of the best cities to consider for those looking for job opportunities.

The main industries of Johannesburg are mining, finance, banking and manufacturing. The city is business orientated and there is a strong networking community between expats that newcomers can tap into.

Another good choice of city for job opportunities is Cape Town. The capital of South Africa has more job opportunities in tourism and creative fields than Johannesburg but, like Johannesburg, there is also a demand for skilled workers.

Cheapest Places To Live In South Africa

In comparison to other countries, South Africa’s cost of living is reasonably affordable by Western standards. This does, however, depend on various factors, including which city you decide to relocate to.

Richards Bay is often regarded as one of the most affordable cities in South Africa. It’s located in KwaZulu-Natal, on a 30 square-kilometre lagoon of the Mhlatuze River.

It has one of the country’s largest harbours so most of the economy is centered around the water; as well as the low housing and living costs, the city has wonderful stretches of beaches and wetlands.

George is another brilliant city to consider if you’re hoping to balance your budget against quality of life. While not as big as some other South African cities, George is well-developed and is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Families

Deciding where to relocate with a family can be challenging; you’ll want to take into account the quality of lifestyle, the education systems available, access to healthcare and the cost of all the above.

Cape Town is generally considered to be the best city in South Africa for raising a family due to the quality of life enjoyed in the city. There are good private education facilities in Cape Town as well as fun activities to enjoy during the weekends and holidays.

Those who will have access to a foreign salary will find Cape Town to be relatively affordable in comparison to some Western cities, and there are good job opportunities for skilled workers in the city.

Grahamstown, located on the slopes of the Suur Mountain, is another potentially good choice for expats looking to relocate with family. Education and safety are a priority in the city, making it a popular choice with families.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Immigrants

As the capital of South Africa, Cape Town is one of the best cities for immigrants. The bustling fast-paced nature of the city is perfect for those who want to dive into South African culture, and there are job opportunities in business, tourism and more creative fields in Cape Town.

The south suburbs of South Africa are where most expats choose to live in Cape Town, with a distinction between the quieter, family-focused neighbourhoods and the more vibrant, student streets.

Cape Town has a lot of educational facilities that draw in international students as well as digital nomads, freelancers and expats – this creates a large, diverse network which immigrants who have just moved to Cape Town can engage with.

Port Elizabeth is another great city option for immigrants, particularly those who may want a slightly slower-paced and more relaxed style of living, with access to some incredible nature sites.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Retirement

The warm climate, outstanding views of nature and affordable costs of living make South Africa a popular retirement location. Johannesburg is a favourite city for retirees and there is a sizeable retired expat population established here.

Johannesburg isn’t as affordable as some other South African cities – particularly those in the Garden District – but the city is well-developed with all the amenities you would expect of a modern city.

There are private and public healthcare facilities in South Africa, with those who have the money to do so opting for private healthcare due to the consistent budgetary problems in the public healthcare system.

Johannesburg is also a great base to explore the rest of South Africa. Do be cautious of the crime rates in the city and make sure to invest in the excellent security measures on hand.

Cape Town is another popular choice with retirees. The city has several ‘retirement villages’ for retired expats to choose from, as well as access to beautiful beaches and natural trails.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Young Adults

South Africa is a popular country choice for international students due to the diverse and multicultural community of students and residents and high-quality educational facilities.

Cape Town is one of the most popular city choices for international students due to the amenities and atmosphere provided by the city. Some of the renowned institutions are the International School of Cape Town and the American International School of Cape Town.

There are three main student suburbs in Cape Town – Zonnebloem, Woodstock, Vredehoek, and the CBD proper.

Pretoria is another very academic city which is home to several research centres and international universities such as the American International School of Pretoria.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Food and Nightlife

Franschhoek is the food and wine capital of South Africa and is commonly referred to as ‘wine country’. It’s located in the Western Cape province and has vineyards nestled between mountains on each side.

Like its community, South African cuisine is diverse and takes inspiration from many different cultures. Meat is the main component of any South African dish and features in hearty stews and spicy curries.

Cape Town is the nightlife centre of the country and is renowned for having exciting evening parties with different bars and event venues to cater to a range of tastes.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for Singles

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Knysna is located in West South Africa and is a perfect sport for singles who are relocating to South Africa. While Knysna is not a big city like Cape Town it is still sizeable with a population of around 75,000 and it doesn’t come with as much cost as the capital.

Knysna is known for its natural vegetation, wildlife and outstanding scenic views. This makes outdoor activities very popular in such a beautiful town as it is settled on a lagoon which is home to extraordinary seahorses and over 200 species of fish.

Durban is another good choice for singles – the weather is warm all year round and sport is a popular hobby for those who enjoy exercising. The city reportedly also offers a very high quality of life.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for the LGBT+ Community

South Africa is consistently named as the most ‘gay-friendly’ country in Africa. The city holds an annual Pride parade which attracts plenty of international tourists.

There are other events throughout the year, some including nightlife, which cater specifically for the LGBT+ community. The highest number of LGBT+ nightlife can be found in the Waterkant area.

Johannesburg is another city to consider for members of the LGBT+ community, but the size of the queer scene is smaller than Cape Town. Johannesburg also has the longest parade, lasting a total of four days.

Best Places To Live In South Africa for the Weather

Johannesburg is also known as ‘the City of Gold’ and is one of the best locations in South Africa for those who are hoping to take advantage of South Africa’s climate.

South Africa has both a sub-tropical and temperate climate, and the warmest region of South Africa is the northeast. You can expect there to be sun all year round in Johannesburg, with the warmest months running from October to April.

Winters in Johannesburg tend to be dry and sunny but with particularly cold nights.

Port Elizabeth is another ideal choice for sun lovers and the city has a reputation for being the Sunshine Capital of South Africa. The city is located on the southern coast and has a subtropical oceanic climate.

Best Places To Live In South Africa Near Beaches

South Africa has a truly stunning coastline and any city or town with beaches offers truly spectacular views of the sea. Located on the east coast, Durban looks out to the Indian Ocean and the seafront promenade runs from uShaka Marine World, a huge theme park with an aquarium, to the futuristic Moses Mabhida Stadium which is a huge tourist attraction.

The most common beaches are North Beach, South Beach and Addington Beach and as a result, the city of Durban is ideal for those who love water sports and want to spend as much time out in the surf as possible.

Gqeberha (previously named Port Elizabeth) is another perfect option for beach lovers. The beaches have a warm temperature, due to the Indian Ocean, and there are plenty of great beaches such as Sardinia Bay Beach and Maitland Beach.

Best Places To Live In South Africa Near Mountains

Much of South Africa is made up of high flat stretches of ground, called plateaus while to the east, south and west of the country are a group of mountain ranges known as the Great Escarpment.

The city of Pretoria is a great option for those looking for the comfort of city life with easy access to some spectacular mountains. The Magaliesberg extends from the north to the south of the country and there are several trails available across these mountains for those who enjoy spending time hiking the trails.

Pretoria is known for its natural parks and gardens and the city is very beautiful with plenty of natural charm.