Johannesburg

Moving/Relocating To Johannesburg: 10 UNPARALLELED Pointers

Table of Contents

Johannesburg is a vibrant city in the developing country of South Africa. This city is home to over six million people of different races and ethnic groups.

Moving to Johannesburg will be a great opportunity if you want to advance your career. Besides that, living in Johannesburg will give you access to experience South African culture through festivals, food, and daily lifestyle.

To help you prepare for your relocation, we’ve shared 10 unparalleled pointers below. You will find tips and even valuable information, such as the cost of living in Johannesburg, to get you prepared.

1. Check Out The Basic Facts About Living In Johannesburg, South Africa

Before packing your luggage and making your way to South Africa, it will be best to learn some of the basic facts about this city. This way, you will know what to expect when moving to Johannesburg.

Mild Climate

Johannesburg is blessed with lovely weather. There is no extreme heat or cold throughout the year. The weather is not even humid during summers.

Throughout the year, the temperatures typically range from 36°F (2°C) to 78°F (25.5°C). The best times to explore the city are during springs and summers.

South African Business Hub

Johannesburg is the South African business hub with plenty of local and multinational companies that have established their offices here. Some of the multinational companies you can find here are Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture.

Work-life Balance

You will have plenty of things to do if you are living in Johannesburg. There will be festivals and other city attractions you can enjoy here.

It will be easy for you to maintain work-life balance since you will have many recreational options in Johannesburg.

people and vehicles passing through the road

Image Credit: Unsplash

2. Find Out Where The Best Neighbourhoods In Johannesburg Are Located

The city centre area is not recommended for expats, considering its rather high crime rate. Therefore, suburbs in the city outskirts are your best options.

For your reference, below are some of the best suburbs in Johannesburg. You can consider these neighbourhoods when finding a home.

Bryanston (pictured above)

Bryanston is a residential area that offers more affordable homes as compared to the business district, Sandton.

This area is known for its tree-lined streets that will change colour to purple in the spring. In addition, Bryanston is also home to several private hospitals.

This area is not far from other affluent areas like Hyde Park, Morningside, and Sandown.

Braamfontein

Braamfontein is one of the expats’ favourites. This neighbourhood offers excellent security services and plenty of newly renovated apartments.

This area is perfect for singles or young professionals since it has vibrant nightlife and shopping areas. Braamfontein is also near the campus of Wits University (University of the Witwatersrand), making it a good option for students looking for a perfect neighbourhood.

Randburg

Randburg is a green neighbourhood with spacious houses. This area is perfect for families or young couples.

It offers access to the shopping centre, Emmarentia Dam, and Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The housing prices in Randburg are also relatively affordable as compared to the housing prices in a business district.

3. Prepare Yourself Financially By Learning About The Estimated Cost Of Living In Johannesburg

You need to plan a monthly budget before flying to Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. This financial preparation will help you to settle in easier.

Pay attention to the information below about the estimated cost of living in Johannesburg in Rand (R) and American Dollar (USD) to help you calculate better.

A single person will spend roughly R19,799 (1,276.25 USD) per month on the living expenses, including the rent. Of course, you will spend more if you move with family members.

The monthly rent in Johannesburg varies depending on the location and size of the property. The monthly rent prices for an apartment can range from R7,800 (502 USD) to R14,000 (902 USD). These figures are rent prices in expensive areas, where the security services are better than in the normal areas.

4. Dive Deeper Into The Local Job Market To Find More Opportunities

If you are a young professional willing to advance your career, Johannesburg can be an excellent destination. The local government keeps trying to upgrade the city so there will always be opportunities for you.

Below are some jobs with high-demand in Johannesburg:

  • Business Manager,
  • Sales Director,
  • Supply Chain Specialist,
  • Software Engineer,
  • Investment Advisor,
  • Communication Specialist, and many more.

It will be best to do some research regarding the average salary for the position you applied for, before the interview day. This way, you will be more confident in determining your salary benchmark.

5. Find The Best Way To Get Around Johannesburg

Public transport in Johannesburg may not be the perfect way to get around the city. Besides the limited routes, safety is also another concern when taking public transportation. Therefore, public transport here is in constant development to fulfil everyone’s needs.

You may want to plan to buy a car so you can commute freely. Another way to commute comfortably is by taking a taxi. However, you need to be cautious to avoid getting scammed.

6. Top Schools In Town That Provide Quality Education For Your Children

Finding the right school for your children is as important as finding the best neighbourhoods.

To ensure your children receive quality education, check out these top schools in Johannesburg below:

  • Orban School,
  • The Ridge School,
  • Johannesburg Muslim School, and
  • Sparrow Combined School.

Most expats will send their children to private or international schools to help them adjust to the new environment. Private and international schools tend to have more balanced teachers-students ratio than public schools. This will help your children to study and socialise better.

grayscale photo of man in black and white camouflage jacket standing beside wall

Image Credit: Unsplash

7. Blend In With The Locals By Participating In Events And Festivals

Johannesburg is a city with rich culture. Therefore, you should spare some time to participate in the local events and festivals.

You may also find new friends during these events.

Now, get ready to attend the following local events and festivals:

  • Joburg Art Fair (pictured above),
  • Jozi Book Fair,
  • The Johannesburg International Mozart Festival,
  • Wine Festival in Sandton, and
  • Getaway Show Johannesburg.

8. Visit Exciting Places Around The City

Of course, there are many places worth visiting around Johannesburg. This city offers plenty of attractions for you and your family.

Here is a list of places you may want to visit:

  • Johannesburg Zoo,
  • The Apartheid Museum,
  • Zoo Lake,
  • Mary Fitzgerald Square,
  • Market Theater, and many more.

Besides the above attractions, you can also enjoy shopping in this city. You can visit Sandton city, the central business district in Johannesburg, to find shopping malls that offer branded goods.

9. Explore The Iconic Local Food

Finding good food in Johannesburg won’t be challenging for you. This city offers traditional South African food as well as dishes from many other countries.

Below are some traditional dishes you should try to kickstart your culinary adventure in Johannesburg:

  • boerewors,
  • bunny chows,
  • lamb potjie,
  • samoosas, and many more.

Your culinary journey will be perfect if you try dishes made of seafood. You will find restaurants serving cooked and fresh seafood around the city, such as fried prawns and sushi.

10. Engage A Moving Company For A Peace Of Mind

You will save a lot of time and energy by engaging a moving company like Sanelo. Our team will help you with your relocation process, including shipping your belongings to Johannesburg.

Visit our official website to find more information about local and international relocation with Sanelo.

Conclusion On Moving To Johannesburg

Johannesburg is no doubt a great city to work and live in. This city offers job opportunities, excellent neighbourhoods, and even top-quality education for your children.

On top of that, Johannesburg offers a cultural experience through its food, city attractions, and festivals.

Your relocation to Johannesburg will be even more exciting with the help from Sanelo. Our team has years of experience in handling relocations to many places in the world such as South Africa, Paris, Los Angeles, Geneva, and Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Johannesburg

Is Moving To Johannesburg A Good Idea?

Moving to Johannesburg, South Africa, is an excellent idea for young professionals who want to find better job opportunities.

This city is developing constantly, and professionals are needed to support the local projects in various sectors. This means job vacancies are always available for locals and expats.

Is It Safe To Live In Johannesburg?

Johannesburg is considerably dangerous. The crime rate in this city is pretty high, including violent crimes.

To ensure your personal safety, it is crucial to choose a neighbourhood with a good security system. These neighbourhoods are usually more expensive than regular neighbourhoods with no special security system, but you won’t regret it.

How Much Should I Earn Monthly To Afford The Cost Of Living In Johannesburg?

The average salary in Johannesburg is R33,300 (2,146 USD). This figure of salary can afford you living expenses for a two-people household.

If you have more than one family member, you need to earn more than R35,000 (2,256 USD) since it is not advisable to live in a neighbourhood that doesn’t have good security services.

Can Sanelo Help With My International Relocation To Johannesburg?

Yes, Sanelo is able to help you with your international relocation to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Contact us to get more information about our services. We will walk you through the process. This way, your relocation process will be less stressful.

ESTIMATE ENQUIRY FORM

For what moves you