Is it best to rent or to buy when moving to South Africa? We give you a run down of the variety of property choices here in Johannesburg…

Many expats choose to live in the northern suburbs of the city (Dainfern, Fourways, Cedar Lakes) due to its close proximity to international schools and its many security estates, which provide a convenient way of living. It’s also more recently developed part of the city, so all properties are newer with a wide variety of styles.

Before you choose to follow the usual expat trail, it’s worth investigating some of the other areas in the massive city of Johannesburg, which might (or might not) fit your family’s lifestyle. (See Where to Live in Joburg)

For expats who will be staying for a limited time, it’s more advisable to rent. Those looking to stay for longer could investigate buying a house, but note that the South African Rand is one of the most volatile currencies in the world, so you may not want to bring in a large sum of money.

Whether you choose to rent or buy, there are a number of different home types to choose from:

Free-standing home in a suburb: Freestanding homes will give you more privacy and space, but will also require maintenance and investment into security, for example an electric fence, alarm and voice/camera intercom for visitors. Generally houses in the Parks area are free standing.
Security village / Estate: A popular option, a security complex will offer residents individual homes within a gated community, often with shared leisure facilities (golf course, tennis courts, etc.) and strict visitor entry/exit criteria at the gate. Big estates are mainly based in the far north of the city in and around Fourways.
Townhouse / Cluster homes in a complex: Townhouses are split level homes that are larger than an apartment and typically have a small garden or play area. Cluster homes are smaller to estates but are clustered with 3 - 6 other homes behind guarded entrance. There may or may not be shared facilities, but the community is much smaller and compact. You’ll find these in Bryanston, Hyde Park and a few dotted around the Parks.
Apartment in a complex: With the growth of the city, apartments are now popular and widely available. Newer complexes are typically oriented for 1-2 bedroom apartments. Newer developments are in Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch. Apartment complexes in older, more established parts of the city such as Killarney, Parkview, or Illovo can be larger around 3 bedrooms.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SEARCHING ONLINE

LOCATION & TRAFFIC

Northern suburbs are notoriously gridlocked during peak hours (approximately 7-9am and 4-6pm). Traffic can also be worse in the mornings if you live near to a school, university, or highway on ramp.

This is because business and residential expansion in the Northern suburbs has been rapid, without planning or expansion of the road network, which originally served a farming community. To get around this, live close to your office or school (See school listings here), or consider living near a Gautrain station.

Main highways (the M1 and N1) can be backed up from accidents or road blocks regularly-at any hour. Always factor in extra travel time when needing to drive on the highway. Apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you to figure out alternate routes.

SIZE

Houses can be a lot bigger than you might be used to and gardens will typically be bigger. The amount of space you are comfortable in can influence where you’ll choose to live, as some suburbs and security complexes have more spacious homes than others.

When looking for a house you’ll also need to factor in whether you’re going to get a permanent domestic worker and if they will stay with you on the property. If so, consider the space available for them with a separate entrance and bathroom.

CLIMATE

Johannesburg has particularly mild and sunny weather, so having a covered patio and outdoor space/garden to take advantage of the weather will make your life very enjoyable. A South African will also make sure to tell you to have adequate outdoor space for your braai (barbeque), which typically is a wood fired or charcoal grill often built into your patio design. Gas barbeques are also becoming more popular.

A swimming pool is very common and can be a wonderful addition in summer, but does require maintenance. Hiring a gardener or pool service can help with maintenance.

NOTE: Check the orientation of your home to make sure it is North-facing to take advantage of the movement of the sun in the southern hemisphere. Houses that face in another direction can be terribly cold in winter.

COST

Rental cost may also depend on whether or not the house is furnished, which might be a more convenient option, but are not as available. Most houses come unfurnished. Below are general prices per month.

Dainfern / Estate Living (3 bed R35,000 - R70,000)

Melrose Arch / Sandton 1/2 Bed Apartment R25,000 - R50,000

Cluster Home (Hyde Park / Sandringham/ Bryanston) R30,000 - R70,000

Free Standing in the Parks 3/5 bed R30,000 - R70,000

For a broad overview of the cost of living in Johannesburg read more here: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/johannesburg

HOW TO GET STARTED

There are a number of different property websites in South Africa, here are the most popular:

Property24: http://www.privateproperty.co.za/to-rent/gauteng/johannesburg/33
Private Property: https://www.property24.com/to-rent/johannesburg/gauteng/100

Once you have an idea of the type of property you are looking for, get in touch and we will keep an eye out for you. We would love to show you around the various neighbourhoods, and help show you a range of options. Click on the photo below to tell us more about you!

Estate Agents

Relocation agents will work with estate agents. Feel free to contact agents directly, you’ll see advertisements all over the city!

Pam Golding
Jawitz
Chas Everitt
Sothebys
Vered
Firzt

Its best to call or set up an appointment in person, and get them to show you around!

Find out more: https://www.property24.com/estate-agencies

NOTE: Even when you’ve made a signed offer or lease application, don’t think that an offer is a guarantee! A landlord or seller can refuse an offer at the last minute so be sure to factor this in when looking for a place and making arrangements for furniture transportation, etc.

TIPS

Visit the estate agent and go through the lease in detail and make sure you understand every single point before signing.
Understand what is your responsibility to maintain and what is the landlord’s responsibility.
Find out what utilities are included in the rent, and if possible, organise a pre-paid electricity meter as this will help you manage your electricity bill a lot more easily, especially in winter when you will be using a lot of electrical appliances to keep warm!
Include in your monthly budget how much help you’ll need to maintain the house and garden, or added estate levies!

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