10 Best Places to Live in South Africa for Expats
- By Karim Hassan
- Reviewed by Sophia Rose
- July 22, 2024
- Travel
South Africa is a beautiful country with incredible diversity. This country offers a high quality of life with modern amenities, excellent healthcare, and world-class education.
There’ll always be a good home for you here in a thriving economy that offers numerous career opportunities, making it an attractive destination for professionals from around the world.
In this blog, I’ll show you 10 of the best places to live in South Africa if you’re from another country. Each place is special in its way.
So, are you ready to find your new home in this beautiful country? Let’s look at these amazing places in South Africa.
Table Of Content
1. Cape Town
Cape Town, also called “The Mother City,” is a favorite place for people from other countries to live. It has pretty nature, like the big Table Mountain, and nice beaches like Glen Beach, Camps Bay Beach, or Hout Bay Beach.
The weather is good, like in countries around the Mediterranean Sea, so it’s easy to do things outside. You can visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a busy place with shops, places to eat, and fun things to do.
For a nice drive and a walk in nature, you can go to the Cape of Good Hope. It’s in a big park by the sea. If you like wine, you can ride a special tram in Franschhoek to visit different wine farms.
Cape Town has many fun events like art shows and music. You can also find lots of good food to eat. All these things make Cape Town a great place to live or visit.
2. Durban
Durban is warm and has pretty beaches. People who like living by the sea often choose Durban. It’s usually cheaper to live here than in Cape Town.
Many people like the area called Umhlanga. It has nice things nearby and is close to the ocean. There’s lots to do here, you can walk or ride a bike along the Golden Mile, which is a long path by the beach.
If you like sea animals and fun rides, you can visit uShaka Marine World. It’s a big place with an aquarium and water park. For quiet time with plants, you can go to the Durban Botanic Gardens.
If you want to buy things and try different foods, visit Victoria Street Market. It’s a busy place with lots of spices, crafts, and food stands.
Many people like living in an area called Umhlanga. It’s close to the ocean and has nice things nearby.
3. Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the biggest city in South Africa. Many people find jobs here because it’s where a lot of business happens.
The city has many different cultures and an interesting history. At night, there are lots of fun things to do.
People from other countries often like to live in areas called Sandton and Bryanston because they’re safe and have nice things nearby.
There’s plenty to see and do in Johannesburg, If you like art and food, go to the Maboneng area. It has many art places, restaurants, and shops.
For something really old and important, you can visit the Cradle of Humankind. It’s a special place where they found very old human bones.
4. Pretoria
Pretoria is where the government of South Africa works. It’s known for pretty gardens and old, important buildings.
Life here is quieter than in Johannesburg, but you can still find everything you need in the city. Many countries have their embassies here, and some big world groups have offices too.
There’s lots to see in Pretoria, You can visit the Union Buildings, where the government works. These buildings are famous and have nice gardens with great views.
For animal lovers, there’s a big zoo called the National Zoological Gardens. It has many different animals and is in a beautiful place.
All these things make Pretoria an interesting place to live or visit, especially if you like a calm city with lots of history.
5. Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is a pretty town known for its wine farms and beautiful views. People from other countries who like a quiet life in the countryside often choose to live here.
The town has lots of art, good schools, and friendly people who know each other well. There’s plenty to do in Stellenbosch, you can visit many wine farms on the Stellenbosch Wine Route.
Here, you can taste different wines and learn how they’re made. If you like nature, you can go hiking in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and enjoy being outside.
If you enjoy art, there are many small art places called galleries all around town where you can see paintings and other art made by local people.
6. Knysna
Knysna is a town on a pretty road called the Garden Route. It’s famous for its beautiful lagoon (a lake connected to the sea) and big forests nearby.
Life here is easy and slow. You can do lots of things outside, which makes it a good place for families and people who love nature.
You can visit the Knysna Heads, which are two big rocks at the entrance to the lagoon. From there, you can see great views of the ocean and lagoon. It’s a good place to take photos.
At Knysna Elephant Park, you can see elephants up close and learn about them. The park helps take care of these big animals.
If you like walking in nature, you can go to Featherbed Nature Reserve. It’s a beautiful place with lots of plants and animals.
For shopping and eating, you can visit the Knysna Waterfront. It’s a busy area with many shops and restaurants. You can also take boat rides from there.
7. Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is a city by the sea. People there are very friendly, and the beaches are pretty. It’s a good place for people from other countries who want to live near the ocean.
Living here costs less than in many other cities. Port Elizabeth has good schools and places to get medical help. Near the city, you can visit Addo Elephant National Park.
It’s a big area where many elephants live. You can go on a safari to see these and other animals.
In the city, there’s a place called Bayworld. It’s part museum and part aquarium. You can learn about local history and see sea animals there.
8. Franschhoek
Franschhoek is a small town in an area known for making wine. It’s famous for its very good food and wine. Life here is quiet and peaceful.
You can see beautiful mountains all around. People who like fancy food and doing things outside often choose to live here.
There’s plenty to do in Franschhoek, you can ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It’s a special train that takes you through the fields where grapes grow. You can stop and taste different wines along the way.
To learn about history, you can visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum. It tells the story of French people who came to South Africa long ago.
Franschhoek is known for its really good restaurants. You can try lots of special foods made by skilled cooks.
9. Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is a town on a pretty road called the Garden Route. It’s known for having nice weather that’s not too hot or cold, and beautiful beaches.
It’s quieter than the big cities. Families often like it here because it’s safe and people are friendly. You can visit the Mossel Bay Museum to learn about the town’s past.
If you’re brave, you can try shark cage diving. This means going into the sea in a strong cage to see sharks up close.
There’s a special place called the Point of Human Origins. It’s important because people found very old human skeletons there. It also has nice views.
10. The West Coast (Yzerfontein, St. Helena Bay)
The West Coast is an area known for being quiet and having pretty nature. It’s great for people from other countries who want a peaceful life.
You can see beautiful views, do lots of outdoor activities, and be part of a friendly community where people know each other.
You can visit West Coast National Park. In spring, it has lots of colorful wildflowers. You can also see many different kinds of birds there.
If you like quiet beaches, you can go to Yzerfontein Beach. It’s a good place to relax or have a picnic.
St. Helena Bay is great if you enjoy fishing or just looking at pretty sea views.
If you’re from another country and want exciting new things to do, you can find them here. If you have a family and want a safe place where people are friendly, you can find that too.
Take your time to learn about these places. Think about what you like and what’s important to you. This way, you can find the perfect place to live in South Africa.
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