Joburg is a BIG city. There are lots and lots of areas and neighborhoods, and finding the right one for you can be intimidating, to say the least. It's hard to know where to start.
As promised previously in Finding a House in Johannesburg: Part 1, I will now give you a list of suburbs to choose from. But first, have a look at this map. I would have loved to see a simple map like this before moving here, as it will go a long way towards giving you an idea where things are, not just for house-hunting but all sorts of other purposes. Like finding out where in the world your daughter's netball match will be (even if you have no idea WHAT in the world netball is). Just remember that the map isn't everything, because it doesn't show TRAFFIC. What looks close isn't necessarily so.
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| Map courtesy of privateproperty.co.za |
Ok, getting to the actual suburbs: The following is an excerpt from my article for Expat Arrivals about Areas and Suburbs in Johannesburg, listing them all going from North to South. If you'd like to read the entire article, just follow the "Read More" link below.
Midrand
Including Waterfall, Kyalami
Technically Midrand might not count as a Johannesburg suburb as it is so far removed, but especially in the last few years it has become a popular area to live, offering affordable housing set in wide open spaces and still relatively easy access to the main hubs of business. If you like open areas and nice views at affordable prices, Midrand should be on your list. Close to AISJ, Midrand also has the advantage of being relatively close to Pretoria.
Sunninghill/Lonehill/FourwaysIncluding Dainfern, Broadacres, Fernridge, Douglasdale, Northriding, Beverley
These are also relatively recent developments in the eyes of long-term Joburgers, but today this area probably houses the vast majority of expats living in Johannesburg. It has more established (and often more expensive) neighborhoods than Midrand and a host of good private schools to choose from in addition to AISJ. It is here you will find one of the largest concentrations of security estates clustered around the Fourways area with its many options in shopping, entertainment, healthcare and recreation. It is fairly close to Sandton, but don’t be fooled – traffic going that way will be very heavy with daily commuters.
Sandton/BryanstonIncluding Morningside, Wendywood, Sandown, Sandhurst, Hyde Park
In the last twenty years or so, Sandton has replaced the CBD as Johannesburg’s hub of business and commerce, meaning many corporate headquarters, banks, and large hotels are located there. As a general rule, the closer you get to Sandton, the more expensive housing becomes, so expect to pay a premium in this area. Read more...
Including Waterfall, Kyalami
Technically Midrand might not count as a Johannesburg suburb as it is so far removed, but especially in the last few years it has become a popular area to live, offering affordable housing set in wide open spaces and still relatively easy access to the main hubs of business. If you like open areas and nice views at affordable prices, Midrand should be on your list. Close to AISJ, Midrand also has the advantage of being relatively close to Pretoria.
Sunninghill/Lonehill/FourwaysIncluding Dainfern, Broadacres, Fernridge, Douglasdale, Northriding, Beverley
These are also relatively recent developments in the eyes of long-term Joburgers, but today this area probably houses the vast majority of expats living in Johannesburg. It has more established (and often more expensive) neighborhoods than Midrand and a host of good private schools to choose from in addition to AISJ. It is here you will find one of the largest concentrations of security estates clustered around the Fourways area with its many options in shopping, entertainment, healthcare and recreation. It is fairly close to Sandton, but don’t be fooled – traffic going that way will be very heavy with daily commuters.
Sandton/BryanstonIncluding Morningside, Wendywood, Sandown, Sandhurst, Hyde Park
In the last twenty years or so, Sandton has replaced the CBD as Johannesburg’s hub of business and commerce, meaning many corporate headquarters, banks, and large hotels are located there. As a general rule, the closer you get to Sandton, the more expensive housing becomes, so expect to pay a premium in this area. Read more...
A big thank you to Heather at 2Summers and Jo at Past Experiences for their valuable advice regarding areas of Joburg I knew nothing about!
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