I remember my first time driving to Johannesburg in 2014. I was the nurse at a baby home in the nearby city of Pretoria, taking three babies to the doctor. I was so nervous driving in the ‘big city’, having recently come from rural Pennsylvania.
Little did I know the largest city in South Africa would become my beloved home just a few years later.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It has the best of both worlds, the perks of city life paired with rich opportunities to encounter nature at every bend. It is regarded as the world's largest urban man-made forest, with over 10 million trees stretched across the city. Parks and nature reserves are interspersed between the suburbs, and multiple attractions, such as game reserves and hiking spots are a short drive away.
Here's the guide I wish I had when I first decided to make the move to Johannesburg, whether you're moving from abroad or from another South African city.
Short on time? Here's the cheat sheet
💭Living in Johannesburg offers a great balance between a big, fun city yet a still affordable cost of living.
🏠Most choose to move to the Northern Suburbs for more secure housing, just know it can be a more expensive area.
🛂Most expats arrive on a visitor's visa but the new Remote Workers Visa is a good alternative for those that work remotely.
🤕Don't rely on luck alone. SafetyWing now offers 2 types of Nomad Insurance coverage options: Essentials for travelers and Complete for expats and digital nomads.
☂️Although people tend to have safety concerns about moving here,
🏖️After living here for over 10 years, I've only experienced opportunistic crime.
General Cost of Living in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is a remarkably affordable city to live in, especially if you are coming from the lands of dollars, euros or pounds. The overall cost of living in Johannesburg is also significantly cheaper than living in Cape Town.
In my experience, the quality of life relative to the cost of living is excellent.
Anything that is service-related or locally sourced tends to be notably cheaper than in the States. Such items include accommodation, eating out, parking, labor, health insurance, and many grocery items. However, things that are imported, heavily taxed, or infrastructure-related tend to be more expensive. This would include imported food items, electricity, and fuel.
I am always trying to get my friends and family to come visit us, telling them of the amazing holiday they could have at a fraction of the price they would pay in the US or Europe. Granted, the flight costs are a factor, but you can stay at a decent place to stay for less than 50 USD per night, and most attractions are quite low-cost.
I would say eating out can easily be one-half to one-third lower than those incurred in US or European cities. But of course, there are also extravagantly expensive fine-dining options.
Public Transportation
E-Hailing services like Uber and Bolt provide a safe and convenient way to get around the city. The Gautrain offers a train route between Pretoria, O.R. Tambo International Airport, and Johannesburg, with stops all along the way as well as bus services.
There are also other bus options within the city (such as Rea Vaya), and buses between all major cities and towns. Though it is easy to function using public transportation, most people who move to the city opt to buy a car.
Where to Live
When choosing your accommodation, it is important to prioritize safety. There are a myriad of safe and appealing places to live. I would encourage you to prioritize living near your friend(s), community, or work as the city is spread out, and transit and traffic are real considerations.
From my personal experience, it is relatively easy to find a spot that is both cost-effective, safe, and a walking distance to shops, restaurants and parks.
I’ve lived in Ferndale, Melville, and now we live in Bordeaux South. We go to sleep hearing frogs and wake up to birds. We have a river park, a playground, and a sports club all within a kilometer of our home.
The Northern Suburbs
The Northern suburbs have the largest variety of secure suburbs and neighborhoods, but vary drastically in price. Instead of choosing the city center, I'd consider a gated community here.
Sandton, Bryanston, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, and the Parks are great locations, but come with a city price tag. Expect to pay a premium in rent, and in return get higher security and amenities. For example, a 1 bedroom flat in these areas can cost 800-1600 USD.
Right next door you find Bordeaux, Blairgowrie, Hurlingham, and Ferndale, which have some lovely boomed or secure complexes with reasonable price tags. As a comparison, we rent out our two-bed/two-bath apartment in a secure complex in Ferndale for 430 USD per month.
You can find furnished apartments to rent, or furnish your new abode in a cost-effective manner using a very active Facebook marketplace and great local charity shops, as I did. Expect to pay 15% to 30% higher rent if choosing a fully furnished home.
Better to Visit than to Live
Another popular and well-loved suburb is Melville. We lived there for four years, and loved it. It has a small-town feel, with lots of cute coffee shops, second-hand stores, and a (too) lively nightlife. It is near the Universities, and has long been heralded as the place to visit in the city.
However, in full disclosure, it is not what it used to be, and would definitely not make the list of the safest places to live, though it is definitely worth a visit.
Visa Options to Move to South Africa
I came to South Africa eleven years ago, as a nurse on a three-year visitor's visa to volunteer at a baby home. I am now pursuing permanent residency after being on a spousal visa for over five years. There are multiple visa options for South Africa, although it is not the easiest country to move to to work and live abroad long-term.
Visitor Visa
International tourists, including those from the US and many European countries, can enter South Africa on a 90-day tourist visa without an application. You can apply for a longer visitor visa (up to 3 years), which has several subcategories.
On this visa, you are not allowed to earn money in South Africa.
This is the visa I used in 2014 to come for a year under the subcategory of a volunteer visitor visa. I then renewed it again in the States for another 3 years.
You can renew this visa both from South Africa, or from the South African Consulate in your home country. Keep in mind that the wait time for the renewal of any visa within South Africa is unpredictable.
Remote Workers Visa
Under the visitor visa there is a new sub-category as of March 2025 which is comparable to the rather new category of digital nomads visa. The Remote Workers Visa allows you to reside in South Africa while working for a foreign company for up to a year, with the option of extending the visa for an additional two years.
There is a minimum income requirement of 40,000 USD, and possible tax implications if staying in the country for longer than 183 days within a 12 month period.
Work Visa
Though some have managed to secure a job and therefore a work visa within South Africa, the country’s unemployment rate understandably makes it difficult for foreigners to secure jobs within the South African workforce.
Those with certain skill sets may apply for a critical skills visa, which would make it possible to work in the country for up to 5 years.
Retired Person’s Visa
The Retired Person's Visa can be obtained for an initial period of 4 years. The applicant must show they have a monthly income of 2,100 USD through pension, annuities, investments etc. It can be renewed indefinitely if the qualifications are still met. There are no minimum or maximum age requirements for this visa.
Additional Visa Categories
In addition to the visas listed above, there are various additional visa categories and subcategories. Some of the additional visa options include a study visa, other business visas, and an exchange (program) visa.
Pros & Cons of Living in Johannesburg
In truth, I didn’t choose Johannesburg for itself. I fell in love with my husband, and he was in this city. My next love was our community, and in particular, our church community.
It’s the people who make a place home, and my growing family and church family have been that for me over these last eight years. But as I’ve lived here, I've grown to love the city for so many reasons.
Pros
Tourism & Culture
South Africa’s history and diverse cultural makeup lends itself to various unique opportunities. A visit to the Apartheid museum, and Vilakazi street in Soweto are a must, even if you are here for only a short time.
City Sightseeing South Africa offers a hop-off hop-on tour of the city, which is a worthwhile experience. If time allows, you can also visit the Cradle of Humankind, a paleo-anthropological site which is located about 50km northwest of Johannesburg and has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
Music & the Arts
There are more opportunities than there is time to experience the breadth of the artistic experiences the city offers. From theatre productions, to the Joburg Orchestra, ballet performances and innumerable art galleries and art shows of local and international artists.
Johannesburg also offers various markets nearly every weekend around the city, as well as copious options of restaurants to suit every budget.
Education
Raising and educating children in Johannesburg has been such an enriching experience.
In addition to the numerous performances we’ve gone to as a family, the city boasts the amazing Johannesburg zoo, and many museums and educational experiences. Though this can be said of cities all over the world, what is unique about Johannesburg is the affordability of these experiences.
For a family desiring to expose their children to diverse cultures and varied experiences, South Africa is an excellent place for a worldschooling stay.
Cons
Infrastructure
There are real infrastructure challenges. Due to high population density and aging infrastructure, the city cannot support the current demands, so expect water and power outages. A lot of businesses and some residents use alternative water and backup electricity solutions.
Crime Rates
The city has very poor crime statistics. Coming from Pennsylvania farm country, where locking doors is optional, this was a learning curve for me.
Wisdom is needed in maneuvering around the city. When living in Melville, I didn’t walk alone after 4 pm. There are areas of the city you simply avoid, especially after dark. Awareness of surroundings is crucial, especially at stoplights.
However this must not be overstated. Having lived here for over a decade, I have only ever experienced opportunistic crime, when I forgot to close my gate a few times.
We are able to live normal and happy lives here.
Winter
Johannesburg winters were a real adjustment! There is no insulation or indoor heating, so expect to really feel the winter chill, especially in the evenings.
What I Wish I Had Known Before Moving to South Africa
Lastly, here are a few bonus things I wish I knew before making the move that would have made the adjustment process go even smoother:
- It can be helpful to be able to drive a manual transmission before relocating. To buy or rent an automatic transmission vehicle is more difficult and costly.
- Learning greetings and some key words in isiZulu, which is the predominant local language spoken in Johannesburg, would serve you well. Though English is widely spoken, the heart language of South Africans is diverse.
- Beggars on the street are a common occurrence. Unfortunately, there is often addiction, and things are not always as they seem. Giving food to the needy, or paying for a service is a preferable way to help.
- It would be helpful to do some reading (or listening) on South African history before your arrival. If you prefer a biography, you can start with A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
Will You Move to Johannesburg?
Though a city with its challenges, Johannesburg is full of so much opportunity and beauty. Whether you come for a short stay or to make South Africa home, Joburg is worthy of your exploration and enjoyment!
.png)
.png)
