Making the move from Cape Town to Gauteng
Saying goodbye to the Mother City and hello to the City of Gold is a big move and there are a lot of things to prepare for and look forward to.
At the end of the day, there will be pros and cons to any city with any move.
Just make sure you’re aware of whatever it is you need to know about where you’re going to be staying and, always, make the most of it.
Say goodbye to the views you know
You’ll be leaving behind the “city of a million views” (unofficial title of the unofficially best city in South Africa). No more wine farms amongst the mountains or strolls on the beach. There is also little diversity between towns, unlike Cape Town where each town promotes the beauty of at least one natural landmark.
You can look forward to views of city smog as Gauteng’s air pollution levels are 87% higher than Cape Town’s. Your weekends will consist of city scape views, which are impressive in their own right, but other than that you will be longing for the half an hour drive from sea to wine valley to beach.
Time for new things
Introduce yourself to one of the few beautiful natural phenomenon in Joburg, the purple blooming Jacaranda trees in Spring. You can also visit some of the zoos like the well-known National Zoological Garden in Pretoria.
You’ll also be surrounded by innovation, drive and ambition wherever you are. Gauteng is starting to truly embrace their local culture and establish their urban areas. For a little hipster-something to do to slowly break yourself into the new city, head down to hipster-town Parkhurst’s 4th Avenue. You’ll be reminded of the crafty and busy streets back in Cape Town, like Kloof and Long Street.
But eventually you’ll get to know your way around and there are rewards to exploring as well. You’ll discover all the things to do and very quickly find your local and new favourite coffee shop.
Work
This is likely the reason you’re moving out of Cape Town. Why else would you leave mountains, hills and seas behind? Last year, Johannesburg alone had 31 585 more job listings than Cape Town at a 13% higher salary average offering.
There’s no doubt that the business hub of South Africa is in Gauteng. And your commute will be equal in traffic density. Public transport is a lot more expensive in Johannesburg but finding used cars in Gauteng and even buying cars new, are a lot more affordable.
And parking in Joburg is a breeze compared to Cape Town’s seemingly never-ending yellow lined streets and densely populated working centres. Because, what is worse than sitting in traffic all morning only to find out that, despite leaving early, there is still nowhere for you to park your car?
What are the costs
Costs of living include grocery and safety expenses. Let’s compare the general living costs between Joburg and Cape Town.
You will be paying more for groceries and general consumer products and eating out is almost 10% more expensive in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. But, and this is a big but, as mentioned before you will likely be earning a lot more here than you were back in CT. So, it kind of balances out.
Also, you may be paying almost 16% more on utilities in Jozi, but when it comes to renting an apartment, you’re saving big bucks.
Apartment rent per month |
Cape Town |
Johannesburg |
Difference |
1 Bedroom (City Centre) |
R10 500 |
R6 800 |
42% |
1 Bedroom (Outside Centre) |
R6 600 |
R5 500 |
18% |
3 Bedroom (City Centre) |
R21 000 |
R14 500 |
36% |
3 Bedroom (Outside Centre) |
R13 200 |
R11 500 |
13% |
But when it comes to crime and your safety, it’s a similar story. Jozi and the Mother City both suffer from high crime rates. Where it might be more a fear of crime in Johannesburg, Cape Town is earning a reputation as the “murder capital”. But wherever you end up staying, make sure there are security measures and that you don’t wander alone. Especially since you’re new to the city.
Moving is what you make of it and there will be plenty opportunities in the City of Gold. It makes business and money sense to make the move and, before you know it, you’ll consider yourself a local.
And if you ever feel homesick, Cape Town is an hour and 55 minute flight, 13 hour and 36 minute drive, or instant social media check-in away.