Living as an expat in South Africa.
Having moved here and not had a clue where to start, below I have pulled together the resources I wish I had.
If you have any specific questions thats what our Discovery Session is for, where we take the knowledge and information below and personalised it to you and your family situation.
The three decisions that will overwhelm you when you start first researching your move to South Africa are:
Where is the best place for expat to live.
What are the best schools in Johannesburg? (International & Local)
Will I feel safe living in Joburg?
Where should expat families live in Johannesburg?
One of the best parts of moving to a new city is discovering the neighbourhood where you feel at home.
But with so many different areas to choose from, knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming.
Whether you’re looking for a secure estate with space for the children, a leafy suburb with coffee shops around the corner, a stylish lock-up-and-go apartment or a more urban lifestyle, Johannesburg has something for everyone.
Most expats end up living in one of the following five areas:
The Northern Estates – Golf estate - close to the American School, Steyn City, Dainfern and Fourways.
Bryanston, Morningside & Sandton – Convenient for business hubs, schools and everyday life.
Rosebank – Lock-up-and-go apartment living close to shops and restaurants.
The Parks – Leafy streets, independent cafés and a village-like feel.
The Inner City – Urban living, creative spaces and a vibrant cultural scene.
Each area has its own character, benefits and trade-offs. The right choice depends on your family, your children’s schools, your commute and the lifestyle you want to enjoy.
Let’s find your place in Joburg. Explore our neighbourhood guides to discover what each area has to offer and find the right fit for your move.
Journal: Where Do Expat Families Actually Live in Johannesburg?
Listen: New in Town: Where to Live in Johannesburg
The best neighbourhood isn't necessarily the one with the nicest house. It's the one that makes your family's everyday life work.
How do schools work in Johannesburg for expat families?
Johannesburg offers a mix of international schools, including American, French and German options, alongside excellent local independent schools.
International or local schools?
International schools can be expensive, particularly if your employer isn't covering the fees. The American International School of Johannesburg is a popular choice for expat families. Local independent schools can also provide an excellent education and a more immersive South African experience.
Consider how long you'll be staying, where you'll live, your budget and which curriculum will best suit your children.
Plan around the summer holidays
South Africa's long summer holiday falls over December and January. Schools close, many businesses operate on reduced hours, and getting things organised can be more difficult.
If you're relocating, start school applications and house hunting early! And if your employer is paying school fees, check exactly what's covered before creating your shortlist — the difference can significantly affect your budget.
Journal: Expat Schools Guide & full list of schools.
Listen: New In Town - Where are the best Schools?
Is Johannesburg safe for expat families?
Yes, and thousands of expat families live very happily here. Security is something you need to take seriously in Johannesburg, but it does not need to dominate your life or stop you enjoying the city.
Johannesburg has real crime, and you quickly learn that there are certain things you simply do differently here. The good news is that most families find that these precautions become habits very quickly. You lock the doors, arm the alarm, pay attention when you're driving and choose your home and neighbourhood carefully. Then you get on with normal family life.
Your children can have friends over, play sport, go to school, ride their bikes and spend weekends at restaurants, markets, parks and friends' houses. You don't need to spend your entire time looking over your shoulder. The key is understanding the environment, choosing your security setup carefully and developing a few sensible routines.
And you don't automatically need to live in a secure estate to feel safe. A well secured freestanding home can have excellent protection, particularly when you combine physical security with alarms, cameras and a reputable armed response company. The right setup matters more than simply whether a property is inside an estate.
Security professionals often break home security down into three areas:
Physical: gates, lighting, electric fencing, alarms and cameras.
Procedures: actually using and maintaining the systems you have. An alarm that isn't armed doesn't help you very much.
People: knowing who has access to your home and properly vetting staff, contractors and anyone else who regularly comes onto your property.
In other words, security isn't just about building higher walls. Your routines and the people who have access to your home matter too.
Then there are the everyday habits that quickly become second nature.
Arm the alarm when you leave.
Don't leave anything visible in your car, and put your phone away while driving.
When you arrive home, pause before opening the gate and check that nobody has followed you.
These things might sound strange when you first arrive, but after a few weeks they become as automatic as locking your front door.
The most important thing for an expat family is not to let security prevent you from experiencing Johannesburg. You are moving here to live, not to hide. Once you have your home, school, commute and security arrangements sorted, you can get on with the fun stuff: weekends away, sport, restaurants, friends, exploring the city and making the most of everything South Africa has to offer.
The Parkhurst residents I spoke to for New in Town had, I thought, a particularly healthy attitude: set your rules, then live.
And yes, the street WhatsApp groups get mocked, fairly. But there is something rather lovely about the way a Johannesburg neighbourhood can rally around a neighbour within minutes when someone needs help.
Security is part of life here. It doesn't have to become the whole of your life.
Listen: New in Town: How to Stay Safe in Johannesburg
Talk it through with me
I moved to Johannesburg with my husband's job, for an adventure. That was 2010, and I have been answering these questions for families ever since.
A Discovery Session is a 90-minute video call where we work through suburbs, schools and security against your actual family and timeline.
You choose the focus, and within 24 hours you get one written document, such as a Schools Guide & Application or a Neighbourhood & Housing Guide.
It costs $297 and if you later choose Global Executive Concierge, the fee is credited in full.
Want to take this with you?
You can keep scrolling here. We know relocation research happens in the oddest places. While you’re waiting for the kids, between meetings, or lying awake wondering what on earth you’ve signed everyone up for. Download your Relocation Guide below
Moving to Johannesburg FAQ
Should you choose a Johannesburg school or a home first?
For most relocating families, the school should come before the home.
Johannesburg traffic means that a house which appears close to a school on a map can still create a difficult daily journey. Once a suitable school place has been confirmed, I generally recommend looking for a home within approximately five kilometres of the school.
International families should also confirm the child’s grade placement in writing because the South African academic year runs from January to December and age cut-offs may differ from those in the family’s home country.
Should expats rent or buy when they first move to Johannesburg?
Most international families should rent for at least six months and preferably for their first full year.
Renting gives a family time to test the school, commute, suburb and style of daily life before making a long-term property decision. It is difficult to know from overseas whether your family will prefer a walkable neighbourhood, a secure complex or a large gated estate.
What should you organise before moving to Johannesburg?
Start with the matters that shape every later decision:
- Confirm the office address and accompanying partner’s visa position
- Apply to several suitable schools as early as possible
- Confirm each child’s likely grade placement
- Book four to six weeks of short-term accommodation
- Allow enough time for shipping, customs and pet arrangements
- Arrange suitable medical cover
- Bring certified copies of important family and school documents
- Plan a look-and-see visit before signing a long-term lease
