Pros and Cons of Moving to South Africa

As with any expat destination, life in South Africa comes with unique perks and challenges. Still, many expats will agree that in this case, the pros outweigh the cons, and they end up staying in the country long term. 

Below are some of the pros and cons of moving to South Africa.

Accommodation in South Africa

+ PRO: Spacious options are available

In cities like Pretoria and Johannesburg, you can easily rent sizeable freestanding houses in the suburbs with large gardens and often private swimming pools. Townhouses are also popular options if you're looking for something smaller, as they also usually have a small garden to relax in. Even apartment blocks frequently have communal spaces, including swimming pools and braai (barbecue) areas.

- CON: Renting in major cities can be expensive

As in many countries, renting accommodation in major cities in South Africa can be expensive. With Cape Town, in particular, being a popular tourist destination, many investors buy up properties, which drives monthly rental fees even higher.

Expats could end up spending over a third of their monthly income on rent. The good news for expats heading to Johannesburg is that, although it doesn't have Cape Town's oceans or mountains, money goes a lot further here in terms of rent.

- CON: Rotational blackouts

Since 2007, South Africa has experienced electricity supply shortages, and the national electricity supplier, Eskom, has implemented a system of rotational blackouts known as 'load shedding'. The load shedding applied can change on a weekly or daily basis and varies from making daily life inconvenient to nearly impossible. Although there was a slight improvement in load shedding in 2024, there is still a danger of the system failing. 

Accommodation in South Africa
Accommodation in Johannesburg
Accommodation in Cape Town

Lifestyle in South Africa

+ PRO: Lovely weather

With plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures throughout most of the year, South Africa's pleasant climate makes the country perfect for expats who enjoy being outdoors.

+ PRO: Easy to make friends

South Africans are known to be some of the friendliest people in the world, so you should have no problem making friends and finding help when they are lost in your city. Many South Africans also enjoy being active, meaning there are tons of opportunities to join local hiking, running or sports clubs.

- CON: Very laid-back approach to time

Sometimes the lifestyle in South Africa can be a little too laid back. The famous South African term 'now-now' is a vague and ambiguous way of measuring time. If someone says they'll do something 'now-now', that could mean immediately, in a few minutes or a few hours. This could frustrate expats as things may not happen as quickly as they are used to.

Climate Charts for South Africa

Safety in South Africa

+ PRO: Safe for the LGBTQ+ community

South Africa has enshrined equal treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in its constitution and recognises same-sex marriage. Cape Town, in particular, has a thriving LGBTQ+ culture and is often referred to as the 'gay capital of Africa'. 

All of this has made South Africa a safe destination for queer travellers. Of course, there will always be exceptions in any country, and some areas are more conservative than others – however, in general, LGBTQ+ expats shouldn’t experience serious homophobia here.

- CON: High crime rates

Expats do need to be aware that South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world. It is important to take sensible safety precautions to reduce the chance of being seen as an 'easy target' for crimes such as robbery, muggings, smash-and-grabs and hijackings.

Safety in South Africa

Working in South Africa

+ PRO: Relaxed work culture

In keeping with the country's generally laid-back attitude, South Africa's work culture tends to be relaxed and informal. South Africans have a 'work to live' mindset rather than 'live to work' – they're hard workers while on the job, but personal time is typically respected once the workday ends.

- CON: Visas can take long

Expats can’t get a job in South Africa without a visa. Unfortunately, paperwork in the country is notorious for moving slowly, and it can be difficult to predict how long a visa approval will take. Many employers prefer to avoid this complex and frustrating process, rather opting to hire someone local if possible. That said, expats with critical skills will have a much easier time with this.

- CON: Low wages and limited perks

Wages are low if you earn in the local currency. Employers are only required to give 15 days of annual leave a year, which may shock expats from countries with more generous leave policies. Many companies don’t offer standard perks like a pension or medical aid assistance, which means workers have added stress to cover these needs independently.

Working in South Africa
Visas for South Africa

Healthcare in South Africa

- CON: Inadequate public healthcare

Public healthcare in South Africa may be inexpensive, but it is generally not up to the standards that most expats are used to. Public hospitals are understaffed, under-resourced, and overcrowded. This makes for a long and arduous process, regardless of whether you are there for something as innocuous as a medication pick-up or for more serious situations such as surgeries and emergencies. Creature comforts are few and privacy is lacking.

+ PRO: Excellent private healthcare

Fortunately, high-quality private healthcare is readily available. This makes up for the lack of public healthcare facilities. Visits to a private general practitioner are reasonably priced. South Africa also has various health insurance schemes for expats to choose from.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in South Africa

Education and schools in South Africa

- CON: Public schools can lack funding 

Public education in South Africa is government-funded, meaning each province is responsible for financing schools. The resources a school receives will largely depend on how wealthy the province is, meaning public schools in the larger cities are often better equipped than those in the rural areas. That said, fee-paying public schools in South Africa typically offer higher standards that may be up to expats' standards. 

+ PRO: Variety of high-quality private and international schools

South Africa is home to many excellent private and international schools in South Africa. Expat parents can decide between private schools offering the local curriculum or the International Baccalaureate system, or international schools offering the British or American curricula. Private schools are high-quality and are usually more affordable than international schools, making them a great choice for expat parents planning to stay in South Africa long-term. 

Education and Schools in South Africa