Johannesburg

What you need to know about Johannesburg

By Expat Guru Last Updated:

About Johannesburg

I am a UK born, East Asian female who lived in Joburg (alone) as an expat for a few years... and I really love it. Yes, there are safety concerns so you must take precautions, however, I found the locals to be extremely warm and friendly (the one thing I wasn't expecting when I arrived), the weather is spot on, it's very cheap, good quality new build apartments in places like Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurt, Bryanston etc and AMAZING quality restaurants e.g you can get an excellent fillet steak and a glass of wine for $15 in a high end restaurant. The going out scene was a little quiet but you could definitely find bars clubs open until 2/3 am. Meeting people I found easy as all the locals want to talk to you. A nomad wanting a high quality and cheap lifestyle I think would enjoy it. With that being said, Cape Town would be the better choice for a Nomad in South Africa.

Nomad Guide of Johannesburg

Explore Johannesburg like a local with our comprehensive nomad guide. Find the best places to work, live, and play, all tailored to the digital nomad lifestyle. Stay connected and make the most of your time in Johannesburg with our insider tips and recommendations.

Continent :

Africa

Weather :

22°C + Humidity 58% = 22°C Feel

Internet Speed :

6 Mbps

Insurance :

Safetywing

Air Quality :

68AQI

Best Neighborhood :

Upcoming Neighborhood :

Power :

230V50Hz

Average Trip Length :

12 Days

Best Taxi App :

Uber

100 ZAR to USD :

$5.47 USD

Tap Water Quality :

Yes, safe to drink

Visitor per year :

5537600 Visitors

Tourist now :

106128 tourists

Population :

4434827 people

GDP per capita :

$5105 / year

Population Density :

♀️ not busy: 17x17m (289m²) per person

Gender Ratio (Expats) :

H 51% / F 49%

Religious Gouvernment :

Non-religious

Appartement Listing :

GumTree

Online electronics shop :

Takealot


Weather in Johannesburg

Stay updated on the weather in Johannesburg with our reliable data source. Plan ahead for changing conditions and make the most of your time in the city. Check the forecast and stay prepared for any weather events.


Cost of Living in Johannesburg

Discover the cost of living in Johannesburg with our data source. Compare expenses for housing, food, transportation, and more to make informed decisions about your budget. Stay informed and make the most of your money in Johannesburg.

Cost of Living for Expats :

$2,293/mo

Cost of Living for Nomads :

$2,628/mo

Cost of Living for Families :

$6,707/mo

Cost of Living for Local :

$1,916/mo

Cost of coffee :

$1.46

Rent for 1 bedroom :

$1,895/mo

Dinner:

$8.26

Beer :

$4.27

Coca Cola :

$1.38

Tax for 50k income :

$

Tax for 100k income :

$

Tax for 250k income :

$


Pros and Cons Living in Johannesburg

Like many other cities Johannesburg have a lot of advantages to offer its residents and visitors, but it also has its fair share of drawbacks. We have made this pros and cons table to help you better vizualize them.

Pros

  • ✅ Warm in the spring
  • ✅ Good air quality on average
  • ✅ Nomad List members liked going here a lot
  • ✅ Many Nomad List members here all year round
  • ✅ Spacious and not crowded
  • ✅ Easy to make friends
  • ✅ High quality of education
  • ✅ Great freedom of speech
  • ✅ Democratic
  • ✅ Everyone speaks English
  • ✅ Family friendly
  • ✅ Very friendly to LGBTQ+
  • ✅ Not many people smoke tobacco

Cons

  • ❌ Expensive
  • ❌ Not safe at all
  • ❌ Pretty slow internet
  • ❌ Not much to do
  • ❌ Gets cold in the summer
  • ❌ Difficult to do business
  • ❌ Roads can be dangerous
  • ❌ Not safe for women

Quality of Life in Johannesburg

No Data for now.


Visa Requirements in Johannesburg

No Data for now.


Security and Crime in Johannesburg

Stay informed on security and crime in Johannesburg with updated information on crime rates, types of crimes and measures being taken. Ensure personal safety by staying informed and taking steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Help keep Johannesburg safe.

020406080100

Medium Crime rate

020406080100

Low Security Index


Polution and Air Quality in Johannesburg

Stay informed about the air quality and pollution levels in Johannesburg. Our data source provides up-to-date information on various pollutants and their effects on health and the environment. By monitoring the air quality in Johannesburg, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of pollution.

Similar cities to Johannesburg

Discover cities that are similar to Johannesburg in terms of attractions and amenities. Our hand-picked list includes locations with similar cultural settings, recreational activities, and high-quality lodgings. These cities are worth visiting if you're looking for a place with a similar atmosphere or just a change of scenery. Plan your next urban journey by visiting these similar cities.

Trending

Concrete Structure

Berlin

Germany

#6

Air Quality
Good
wifi

36

Mbps

FEELS 21°

21°

$3,637/mo

Trending

Colorful Painted Buildings

Mexico City

Mexico

#5

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

11

Mbps

FEELS 22°

22°

$1,793/mo

Trending

Gray Concrete Building Near Palm Trees

Bangkok

Thailand

#4

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

17

Mbps

FEELS 33°

29°

$1,895/mo

Trending

White and Brown Concrete Building

Istanbul

Turkey

#16

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 19°

19°

$2,142/mo

Trending

Scenic View Of City During Evening

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

#34

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

11

Mbps

FEELS 39°

29°

$1,601/mo

Trending

Gold Statue

Munich

Germany

#110

Air Quality
Good
wifi

36

Mbps

FEELS 17°

17°

$4,312/mo

Trending

Green and Brown Building Near Body of Water

Amsterdam

Netherlands

#141

Air Quality
Good
wifi

14

Mbps

FEELS 15°

15°

$6,366/mo

Trending

Grayscale Photo of a Concrete Building

Barcelona

Spain

#75

Air Quality
Good
wifi

39

Mbps

FEELS 23°

23°

$4,295/mo

Cities near Johannesburg to visit

There are several cities and places close to Johannesburg worth your visit. In addition to sightseeing in Johannesburg, spare some time to discover the surroundings of the city.
You can discover Harare, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Windhoek, who are a few kilometres away either by car or public transport.

Trending

Rescuing a Baby Elephant

Harare

Zimbabwe

#164

Air Quality
Good
wifi

2

Mbps

FEELS 27°

27°

$2,338/mo

Trending

Bird's Eye View Photography of City

Port Elizabeth

South Africa

#163

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 22°

22°

$2,070/mo

Trending

Aerial Photography of Boat Terminal

Cape Town

South Africa

#53

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 21°

21°

$2,883/mo

Trending

From above of sunlit aged paper world map with continents countries and oceans

Pretoria

South Africa

#206

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 27°

26°

$2,256/mo

Trending

Scenic View of Desert Against Sky

Windhoek

Namibia

#388

Air Quality
Unknown
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 23°

23°

$1,933/mo

Trending

Water Falls With Green Moss

Durban

South Africa

#544

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 24°

24°

$2,407/mo

Trending

Woman in Purple Hijab Taking Selfie

Gaborone

Botswana

#818

Air Quality
Good
wifi

1

Mbps

FEELS 27°

26°

$2,519/mo

Trending

From above of sunlit aged paper world map with continents countries and oceans

Soweto

South Africa

#876

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 22°

22°

$1,902/mo

Reviews of Johannesburg - Feedback from travelers

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Discussion (4)

0

I am a UK born, East Asian female who lived in Joburg (alone) as an expat for a few years... and I really love it. Yes, there are safety concerns so you must take precautions, however, I found the locals to be extremely warm and friendly (the one thing I wasn't expecting when I arrived), the weather is spot on, it's very cheap, good quality new build apartments in places like Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurt, Bryanston etc and AMAZING quality restaurants e.g you can get an excellent fillet steak and a glass of wine for $15 in a high end restaurant. The going out scene was a little quiet but you could definitely find bars clubs open until 2/3 am. Meeting people I found easy as all the locals want to talk to you. A nomad wanting a high quality and cheap lifestyle I think would enjoy it. With that being said, Cape Town would be the better choice for a Nomad in South Africa.

0

joburg has been a great place to Nomad. Nice coffee shops in the Sandton, Parkhurst and Rosebank area. Very friendly people and fast internet. Rent is pretty cheap. Not much of a nomad scene but there were a decent amount of online entreprenuers around.

0

I have been to Jo berg twice. The last time being 3-years ago. Each visit was not pleasant as being in the city reminded me of being in Northern Ireland in the early 1980’s. I was in the British military and engaged in various bits and bobs in the most dangerous village in the country (based upon the number of security forces who lost there lives there). The reason I mention this is the ‘vibe’ in Jo Berg is exactly the same as it was in Northern Ireland’s ‘murder central’. The only exception is i was walking around without the comfort of a weapon in my hands and three other desperados backing me up (we operated in 4 man teams). I have had a look at the ‘scores’ section on Jo Berg and it is in no way representative of the situation on the ground. Whether you are an expat, nomad or a whatever please understand that Jo Berg is not a place to go ‘sight seeing’ in unless you have a couple SUV’s rammed with black water personnel following you. Joking aside there are better places to live in Southern Africa.

0

Johannesburg is a city in and the capital of South Africa. It is also the largest city in Africa. At an elevation of 2,389 metres (7,895 feet) above sea level, it is located at the centre of the Highveld area of the Transvaal Basin, on the east bank of the upper reaches of the Vaal River. It is one of the most developed cities in Africa, and is the major centre of South Africa's economy.The city is ranked as the 22nd-largest city in the world, and the largest city in Africa, with a population of approximately four million, encompassing a metropolitan area of over ten million. Johannesburg is the largest of South Africa's four national, co-constitutional capital cities, which are also the largest cities in the country.Johannesburg is usually called Joburg, its nickname, and has been known as the City of Gold, due to the large gold mining industry, the major source of its prosperity, in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is one of the largest stock exchanges on the African continent. The city is a major centre for commerce, industry, entertainment, and culture. Gold is mined in Johannesburg, and many of the city's buildings have a mining theme.