How safe is Johannesburg, what's the safety situation in South Africa?
08 April 2011
Thinking of moving to South Africa, but worried about the safety situation in Johannesburg as I will be moving with my partner. I hear the safety in Johannesburg is not too good, what is the situation in reality? Are hijackings and muggings a risk. How about burglary? Are there safe places to live in Johannesburg? Can one walk around the city safely? It would be great to get a balanced opinion from someone who has lived there. Many thanks in advance for your advice.
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Stephanie's Website
Most expats live in gated communities where a 24-hour security gaurd controls who comes in and who goes out of the complex. These are generally very safe and secure - albeit very insular and kind of fake feeling (especially the ones that mimic Tuscan villas). If you opt to live in a normal flat complex or in a stand alone house, you should definitely contract a private security company to call in case of emergencies, and you should equip your home with an alarm system, burglar bars and appropriate fencing. The northern suburbs are generally thought to be the nicest area of Johannesburg.
You'll find that very few people walk in Johannesburg, traffic is horrendous and there's not much to look at while trapped in your car.
Expats that choose to live in Johannesburg do so largely at the lure of a job too good to turn down. If you don't have a killer offer or you aren't an ambitious person do yourself and your family a favour and have a look at opportunities in Cape Town!
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Sine's Website
I've lived in Johannesburg as an expat for about a year. I was very worried about moving here with our family, as I heard many horrible stories about crime. So far, we have had no personal experience with crime, so to answer your question, in reality you can live here very safely. As in any big city, you will have to stay away from certain areas, so walking around in downtown Johannesburg, like Hillbrow, is not something you should do. But there are many places you can go, even at night, where you will have no problems. For instance, Melrose Arch is a wonderful area with many restaurants and little piazzas where you can walk around at night no problem. As for living here, most expats end up in the Northern Suburbs in one of the security estates. I wouldn't say they feel fake. If you can afford them, they are wonderful places to live, and the upside is that you can move around freely within. Our kids walk to school every day and we have no safety concerns with that.
As for smash and grabs, yes, they do occur, but again, I think it is a matter of what areas you keep to. I drive up and down William Nicol Dr all the time, which has myriads of street vendors, and again, I've never had any problems, and am not shy about buying their wares. It is recommended that you get smash and grab protection for your car (a kind of film on the windows, and your insurance company may even require it). Most people don't seem to be bothered by it as you see plenty of big cars in Joburg, and even a good number of convertibles.
Burglaries do happen, we even had an incident in our estate recently, but the coombined response from our security office and the police was swift, as you would expect in any other country, so I honestly think this is not so different from other places. Yes, there is more armed robbery and that is worrisome, but you have to balance that with all the other factors of living in South Africa, which has so much to offer. I personally would be much more reluctant to live in Mexico or Venezuela, which don't get nearly as much bad press as South Africa.
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Dave's Website
I'm a 59 year old born and bred Johannesburger, and have never been hijacked, have never been mugged, and have not been burgled since 1982!
The stand alone house is fitted with an alarm and does have burglar bars, but it has a low wall with no razor wire or electric fencing.
I live in Parktown North and do have a private security company patrol the streets.
I walk a lot, including taking the dogs for a walk after dark, and never feel uneasy.
We walk to and from local restaurants after dark as well.
I wouldn't think not to walk - regardless of the time of day or night.
We've just had a family of four stay with us from the UK (we have accommodation we rent out) and they loved Jo'burg.
He was linked to Wits university, and she and the children explored the city for the 6 weeks they were here - and couldn't do all they had planned before having to head back home.
They far preffered it to the few days they spent in Cape Town.
People who are critical of Jo'burg, usually don't know it well.
Those that know it well, tend to give honest opinions.
Hello,
Thank you for an interesting thread!
My own situation is that I've been offered a position in a long term project in Johannesburg. We would be living in Bryanston area in an apartment hotel called Waybury house. Does anyone know this particular neighbourhood well?
Apparently it's an upmarket area fairly close to Sandton. But what about the details, for instance can my REALLY blond girlfriend take our dog out in the evening after dark? Apologies if this sounds stupid but we really don't know much about this Bryanston neighbourhood.
Thank you in advance!
-Timo (Helsinki, Finland)
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Catherine's Website
The suburb of Bryanston is an upmarket and area being close to Sandton City, means it's very conveniently located. The area is generally safe and as you will be in a hotel, security is likely to be quite tight in and around the facility. I would not recommend that a woman walks on her own at night - muggings and opportunistic street crimes are common in Johannesburg's suburbs and it's better to be more cautious. I grew up in Joburg and even as a local who knows the area, I would not walk in the dark by myself. Walking during the day should be fine, but she should always be aware of her surroundings and walk with confidence. It'ss a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local area, street names and routes to and from home. Keep the local emergency numbers and the number of your hotel in your phone.
If you will be driving to and from work, you should note that the traffic in this area is pretty hectic, especially along the William Nicol road which is the main road running through Bryanston and which links to freeways running around the city. Drive with confidence and be careful of the minibus taxis which generally ignore the rules of the road.
Good luck with your move! Despite the negative things said about Joburg, it really is a great city!
Catherine
Is shopping in malls and shops safe? If I travell by car i guess there shouldn't be any risk. I would also like to know one thing what is the cost of living? Is 25,000R good enough amount to spend a good life in joburg alone.?
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Catherine's Website
R25,000 is a pretty decent salary, although I am not sure what industry you are working in so I can't say for sure whether it is market related, but that salary should let you live a pretty good life in Joburg - but this also depends on your own lifestyle and what you generally spend your money on - accommodation will be your biggest expense and petrol prices are increasing at a rapd rate so you should factor your accommodation and transport into everything. Check out our Cost of Living in South Africa page for a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay for things in the country.
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Shopping malls are definitely very safe, especially the upmarket ones in nice suburbs. R25,000 a month will be enough to live a comfortable life, especially if you're on your own. Of course, as with any salary, it will depend on your lifestyle and in particular, which area you plan to live in (and therefore how much rent you will be paying). Which country are you coming from, just so I have a better idea of what you're used to?
Hi,
We also recently got an offer in Joburg and considering it. At present in Dubai so am sure very different scenario. My main concern really is safety as I have a 5 yr old daughter and also education. Its really a mixed review that u get on the sites about everything so super confused. Pls help
Aastha
Hi,
We are in Dubai as of now and considering move to Joburg but seriously concerned about the safety issues as have a 5 yr old daughter. there are mixed reviews on everything on all sites so super confused> Please help
Johannesburg has some great world class schools both private and public - although you should send your child to a private school as you will get good standard of education. The private schools are as good as any developed country. As for safety, there are some hectic places in Johannesburg and you should stay away from the 'townships' and inner city without a local guide but if you play it safe you will be fine. I have lived in Jhb my whole life and have had no problem.
Hi, I can understand your concern about coming to live in Johannesburg, but, if you look for a residence in one of the Northern Suburbs, in a gated area, such as Atholl, Illovo, Inanda, there are in fact, many lovely suburbs to chose from, you should be fine. My Husband and I have lived in Atholl for close on 30yrs, and have never had a problem. The area is gated, we have an alarm, but no electric fencing. We have a number of very upmarket shopping centers on our doorstep, where we have a lunch or early meal and watch a movie in complete safety, in a beautiful environment. There is also a wonderful park called the Ethel Gray Park on our doorstep, where you can walk the dogs or play with the children in complete safety. The private schools in the Northern Suburbs are amongst some of the best in the country, and the standard of education is extremely high. We often say to our adult children who all have families of their own, that they should spread their wings and see the rest of the world,but it falls on deaf ears. Where in the world would we find such superb schools as we have here in this country is oft repeated by my daughter, a mommy of 6yr old twins. Hope this is of some help .
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