Pros and cons of moving to Johannesburg

For many, the opportunity to earn a high salary while enjoying a good quality of life at a low cost of living outweighs even the most unsettling downsides to living in Johannesburg. The city centre may not be as beautiful as its counterpart in Cape Town and may have a reputation for crime, but there are many compelling reasons to live in the City of Gold.

Here are some pros and cons of moving to Johannesburg.

Accommodation in Johannesburg

+ PRO: Affordable accommodation

The cost of accommodation in Johannesburg might seem expensive at first, but compared to housing in Cape Town, you can get more for your money.

While Capetonians may have beautiful natural scenery, Johannesburg neighbourhoods are wonderfully leafy. Many houses in Joburg’s suburbs have stunning tended gardens, cultivating a sense of natural beauty in even the densest of areas and adding value to real estate in the city for prospective renters and buyers.

- CON: Rotational blackouts

Starting in 2007, a shortage of electricity supply in South Africa has led to the national electricity supplier, Eskom, implementing ‘load shedding’, a system of rotational blackouts. The length and number of blackouts vary with electrical supply and demand and, depending on the stage of load shedding, can range from making daily life inconvenient to making it extremely challenging.

Accommodation in Johannesburg 
Areas and suburbs in Johannesburg

Lifestyle in Johannesburg

+ PRO: Excellent shopping opportunities

The variety and size of Johannesburg’s malls mean that the city offers arguably the best shopping experience on the continent. Shoppers can dine and gamble at Montecasino, browse the designer boutiques of Sandton City, or source organic food and local crafts at one of the city’s many acclaimed markets.

Aside from the quality of the experiences to be had at individual shopping centres across the city, the general quantity of shopping centres is also a plus. There will always be a mall of some kind within a short driving distance.

+ PRO: Large range of activities

There’s much to see and do in Johannesburg, even though the city is better known for work than leisure. Aside from its shopping malls, it has a rich history celebrated through various museums and memorials such as the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela House in Soweto and Museum Africa in Newtown.

Nature lovers don’t have to travel far out of the city to get a safari fix, with the famous Lion Park just 45 minutes away. There are natural attractions in the city as well, including the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia Dam, the Johannesburg Zoo and Zoo Lake.

Lifestyle in Johannesburg

Safety in Johannesburg

- CON: High crime rates

While the media tends to sensationalise, and people often exaggerate about the safety levels in Johannesburg, crime is a fairly common occurrence and is a cause for caution. Most violent crimes in the city happen in impoverished areas that the majority of expats will never venture into. Petty theft, car break-ins, muggings, and home invasions are real threats, however. To a lesser extent – but still a much larger extent than most expats will be used to, carjackings and theft are also known to occur.

+ PRO: Private security is world-class

South Africa has a large private security industry. With fast response times, integrated alarm systems and a range of specialised services available, hiring a private security firm is the most effective way to guard against crime in Johannesburg. There has also been an increase in the number of gated communities around the city, which frequently have full-time security and are, therefore, safer than freestanding houses.

Safety in South Africa

Working and doing business in Johannesburg

+ PRO: Business is always booming

One of the top financial hubs of Africa, Johannesburg is home to the headquarters of many local and international businesses and corporations. People from all over move to the city for professional opportunities, and many people find them. Salaries in Johannesburg are also often higher than in Cape Town.

Working in Johannesburg

Getting around in Johannesburg

- CON: Long drive home

Getting around Johannesburg requires a car. The city’s traffic can feel endless, and during peak periods, motorists can expect to add as much as 45 minutes to their commute.

Getting around in Johannesburg

Healthcare in Johannesburg

- CON: Health insurance can be expensive

Most expats will need private health insurance to access private hospitals in Johannesburg. Private health insurance is known as ‘medical aid’ in South Africa and will typically cost expats quite a bit depending on the size of their families and how comprehensive the coverage is. That said, if they’re earning in a foreign currency, medical aid costs will remain manageable for expats.

+ PRO: Large number of excellent hospitals

Johannesburg is home to a fair few exceptional hospitals, particularly in the northern suburbs, where you can find plenty of Netcare, Mediclinic, and Life hospitals. It’s also easy to access a highly qualified general practitioner in Johannesburg, with many private practices available.

Hospitals in Johannesburg