Pros and Cons of Moving to Johannesburg
The opportunity for expats to earn a high salary while subscribing to a low cost of living outweighs even the most unsettling Joburg city cons. Expats may not find the centre as beautiful as it's much discussed Western Cape counterpart, but there's certainly a good deal going for those that relocate here.
Pros
- The powerhouse of Africa’s economy: plenty of jobs and business opportunities
- Best salary versus of cost of living ratio of any South African city
- Welcoming and generally down-to-earth locals
- Sizeable expat communities
- First-world shopping, healthcare, schools and services
- High quality entertainment: theatre, concerts, sports matches and casinos
- Good value property if bought with foreign currency
- Perfect weather: warm winter days and glorious summers
- Fast and safe connection from the city to the international airport via the Gautrain
- Plenty of weekend break opportunities within two hours’ drive of the city
Cons
- Rush-hour traffic gridlock to rival any big international city
- Crime necessitates constant vigilance and private security
- Fast-paced and stressful working conditions
- Few outdoor recreational opportunities and no safe public parks
- No public transport
- High interest rates makes for onerous property and car repayments
- Very little historical character to the city and little urban beauty
