Choosing a place to live is a personal decision. First, are you going to rent or buy? (Foreigners are able to buy a home in South Africa, however, you have to put down 50% cash deposit.) Then, what type of area would you like to live in? Close to the office? A neighborhood with coffee shops? Walking distance from a park? In an estate or free-standing property?

Here is a short introduction to the various neighborhoods in Johannesburg that the majority of expats choose to live. (Note- know where your routine will be taking you. Often fifteen minutes turns into an hour on the roads here during peak hours!) Once you choose your living space, do get out and explore Joburg’s different areas- there is so much to see! Need a hand to talk it all through - no problem let us know what you are looking for and we can jump on a call to see if we can help you here.

MIDRAND (WATERFALL, KYALAMI, BEAULIEU)

Between Joburg and Pretoria, Midrand is home to many of the larger companies, so living here may make the commute a lot simpler. There are several new estates, affordable housing, and much more space. (Brilliant for horse riding!)

Visit: Mall of Africa/ Lory Park Zoo & Sanctuary/ Nizamiye Mosque/ Riversands Farm

FOURWAYS/DAINFERN

Here are many properties, and lots of high security estates. Dainfern, Fourways Gardens, and Cedar Lakes are some of the bigger ones which are built around golf courses, and have very international, transient communities.

Visit: Cedar Square/ The Design Quarter/ Nicolway/ Fourways Farmers Market/ Montecasino (Complex with restaurants, a Bird Park, casino, entertainment etc.)

BRYANSTON

Close to Fourways, you’ll find central living, large properties, lots of cluster homes to choose from. Quality South African schools, and close to buses for the international schools.

Visit - Bryanston Organic Market

SANDTON

Close to business district, near the main shopping mall, and the Gautrain to commute to Pretoria or the airport. Good selection of apartments, or cluster homes and estates.

For family sized homes close to a park with a village feel look at Parkmore, where houses are free standing. River Club is the closest estate. Be aware that the traffic is very busy particularly when any of the traffic lights go down.

Visit: Sandton Mall (Sundowners at the Southern Sun balcony), Nelson Mandela statue

HYDE PARK/ SANDHURST

Mix of exclusive cluster homes, large apartments and grand properties. Most houses have beautiful landscaped gardens, their own security guard and large properties.

Visit: Saxon and Inanda Polo Club, Hyde Park Shopping Centre, Food Wine and Design Fair.

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ILLOVO

Walking distance to the Gautrain, nicely placed near Melrose Arch, Rosebank and Sandton. Great mix of old and new apartments along with some great cluster homes. Wanders Cricket ground is here, alongside the Wanders Sports Club which has a really active Rugby / Squash / Tennis amongst other sport communities.

Visit: Oxford corner / The Griffin / Thrupps / Fishmonger restaurant / Perron / Yamato / The Patisserie and the Post Office Centre.

MELROSE ARCH

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A newer build neighborhood complex of exclusive stores, great restaurants, and entertainment, with a Premium Virgin Gym. There are a number of penthouses and apartment blocks, making it an ideal and safe place to live if for single people or young couples. Popular with tourists who want to shop and drink outside enjoying the sunshine!

Visit - The Orient / Melrose Arch

THE PARKS / ROSEBANK / WESTCLIFF

Parkview, Parkhurst, Parktown North, Greenside, Craighall Park, Dunked West, Saxonwold, these area’s are mainly free standing properties, lots of large parks, restaurants, and smaller village-like communities. A large number of the streets are lined with beautiful Jacaranda tree’s so well worth visiting around October time.

PARKHURST

Parkhurst has a more European feel to it, with a great strip of restaurants, and locally owned shops and antique dealers along 4th Avenue. You often see people walking their dogs, parents (or nannies) with their pushchairs, kids on their bikes, joggers all out and about - particularly at weekends. The property sizes are smaller and quite close together, great residence association.

Visit: Bistro Vine and Nice (order one of their bread baskets and great for celebrations!)

LINDEN

Lies at the foot of Northcliff Hill, a traditionally Africans area hosting the Africans government school), larger properties some with fantastic city views. Great mix of old family run restaurants alongside new trendy coffee shops and entrepreneurs.

Visit: Cheese Gourmet/ The Whippet/ Arthur Bales haberdashery shop/ Linden Food Market

MELVILLE

Student area close to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and WITS (University of the Witswatersrand). Great night life, smaller properties, great diverse vibe, lots of journalists, students, and young families, fantastic local restaurants and new shops opening up all the time.

Visit: Pablo Egg Bar/ The Leopard/ Service Station/ The Great Eastern Food Bar

PARKVIEW

Parkview is built around a lovely park, and similarly to Parkhurst has a wonderful strip of shops and coffee shops (go try the egg brunch at Croft and Co). Parkview is more of a family suburb, built around George Hay park, which plays host to many community events hosted by the superb primary and secondary schools in partnerships with the Parkview Residence Association.

Visit: Croft and Co/ The Perfect Cup/ Fruit and Veg Shop

WESTCLIFF

Westcliff is home to all the old "Randlords" used to live, its one of the oldest parts of the city. With its large properties with incredible views. It is also home to two outstanding (and over subscribed) schools; The Ridge (boys) and St Catherine’s (girls). Early mornings the famous “Westcliff Steps” are full of fitness fanatics and those wanting a challenge, but the view from the top is certainly worth the effort.

Visit - 44 Stanley Milpark (great hairdresser at the Wyatt)/ Beautiful sundowners at Four Seasons Hotel.

ROSEBANK

Rosebank has been recently renovated with Standard Bank, Coke Cola, and PepsiCo all opening new offices bringing in hundreds of young professionals to the area. As a result lots of cool new bars, shops and restaurants are now springing up all over the place. (Like the Keys Art Mile on First Thursdays!) Lots of apartments and young professionals moving in to the area. Great links to town, Pretoria, and Sandton via the Gautrain.

Visit: The Nike Run Club each Tuesday evening/ Keys Mile/ First Thursday/ Johannesburg Zoo/ Zoo Lake (Monthly art market)/ Delta Park/ Emmarentia Park

HOUGHTON

The neighbourhood Nelson Mandela spent his last few years. Large properties situated the other side of the N1 motorway, very near outstanding private schools, and wonderful old sports club - Old Eds now hosts Premium Virgin Active gym.

BEDFORDVIEW

If you plan to be travelling a lot then Bedfordview is right next to OR Tambo. Has a lovely farm - Gillooly’s, where you can go for picnic by the lake, and check out the beautiful views. Eastgate shopping centre and lots of restaurants.

JOBURG CITY CENTRE

Braamfontein

Once this was the heart of the business district in Joburg, before all the major companies moved out to safer Sandton. However now its home to many creative and entrepreneurs, the past 5 years this area has once again sprung to life. With a great food market each Saturday: Neighbourgoods Market

Maboneng

Once a no-go area in the East End, now thanks to the vision of Jonathan Liebmann, has become the coolest place to go. There are art galleries, co-office work spaces, a retro cinema, and wonderful market each Sunday based at Arts on Main. You can find a incredible mix of african food, fashion and design in what has become the heart of Jozi city life.

Visit: Arts of Main (market on main each Sunday) Kruger Street, Che restaurant, 1 on Fox, Urbanology, Newtown Walking Tour with Past Experiences , Maboneng

Have questions or want to learn more about Joburg life, come say hi 👋🏾 over on Instagram here. OR if you would like Hannah to give you a hand in finding your home or apartment in Joburg, let us know what you are looking for here.

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