Sat in the lap of Table Mountain and on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the “mother City” or Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. African, French, Dutch, British and German settlers have all left their mark on the city, and all continue to share it to this day.
With a population of around three million, Cape Town the parliamentary capital of the republic also enjoys the status as South Africa’s most laid-back city, thanks partly to a low crime rate, lively cultural scene, rugged landscapes and glorious beaches.
Finding an apartment, flat or house to rent in Cape Town is generally speaking not a problem; there is always suitable accommodation available to you for your budget and lifestyle needs. If you are planning to relocate, invest, immigrate and live in Cape Town there are many suburbs in Cape Town available to you to choose from and many websites to help you get started. Some of the most popular are:
As you can imagine different parts of the city have different characters. To help you get started you can consider:
Atlantic Seaboard
Ten minutes by car from the city centre, stretched along the white beaches at the base of the western slopes of the Table Mountain range: a highly coveted area to live. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor desirable and many a clubs & pub to choose from.
Sea Point & Green Point - affordable Atlantic seaboard suburb
Nestling to the west of Cape Town on the seaboard slopes of Lions Head are the residential suburbs of Green Point and Sea Point. Both areas are served by good access routes. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor medium and few clubs & pub to choose from.
City Bowl - Suburb in the shadow of the big square mountain
Hemmed in by the sheer face of Table Mountain and the city centre are the sought-after residential districts of Tamboerskloof, Gardens, Vredehoek, Oranjezicht and Higgovale. These areas are some of the most established and oldest in Cape Town. Rental rates are high, the trend factor medium and a decent amount of clubs & pub to choose from.
Bo Kaap/Waterkant - Suburb for trendy Hipsters and the pink crowd
Tucked just south of the Waterfront, clinging to the northern foot of Signal Hill, lies the Cape Malay quarters of Bo Kaap and Waterkant. Great for easy access to the city bowl. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor desirable and many a clubs & pub to choose from.
Waterfront - Pricy suburb with lots of shopping on its door step
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront sits at the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour and has become South Africa’s most visited tourist destination since its regeneration in the early 1990s. Rental rates are expensive, the trend factor desirable and many a clubs & pub to choose from.
Observatory - Student suburb with an alternative twist
The district of Observatory is not perched on the summit of Table Mountain but at its eastern foot, tucked around the corner from the city bowl and below the University of Cape Town. Rental rates are very affordable, the trend factor average and many a clubs & pub to choose from.
Hout Bay - Family suburb with international flair
Situated 20km south-west of Cape Town is the picturesque seaside town of Hout Bay which boasts safe beaches, walking trails, horse-riding, beautiful homes and wonderful heritage sights. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor average and not much happening in way of clubs & pubs.
Llandudno - suburb in a private bay
Nestling 18km south-west of the city centre in the seaboard folds of the Table Mountain range is the super-exclusive coastal village of Llandudno, which boasts one of the most beautiful views of the atlantic. Rental rates are very expensive, the trend factor very desirable and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs.
Constantia, Tokai & Bishopscourt - leafy suburb with grant homesteads
Set above and just south of the Southern Suburbs lie the salubrious settlements of Constantia, Tokai and Bishopscourt, where enormous houses sit in leafy grounds behind tall walls. Rental rates are expensive, the trend factor desirable and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs.
Blouberg Strand /Table View - suburb of the international wind and kite surfing community
North from Cape Town around the rim of Table Bay are the towns of Blouberg, Milnerton and Tableview, all of which have experienced exponential growth over the last decade and are the new and upcoming spots. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor desirable and lost happening in line of clubs & pubs.
False Bay - suburb for those alternative surfing lifestyle
Dotted along the western coast of False Bay are the towns of Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simons Town. The area lies about 25km from the centre of Cape and offer some amazing views of the bay. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor average and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs.
Northern Suburbs - suburb beyond the Boerewors curtain
The so-called Northern Suburbs lie around 15km to the north-east of the city centre, straddling the N1 motorway which connects the Mother City to South Africa’s vast interior. It includes areas such as Parrow, Goodwood, Durbanville and more. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor average and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs.
Somerset West - vineyards and sea
The town of Somerset West – named after Lord Charles Somerset, a former governor of the Cape Colony, is located 45km south-east of the city centre on the N2. Rental rates are affordable, the trend factor low and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs.
Southern Suburbs - leafy suburbs with good schools
The leafy Southern Suburbs lie on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, approximately 10km from the city centre, and comprise the prestigious districts of Rondebosch, Mowbray, Newlands, Claremont and Wynberg which is very popular amongst students. Rental rates are expensive, the trend factor desirable and not much happening in line of clubs & pubs. Rental rates are expensive, the trend factor desirable and lots happening in line of clubs & pubs.
This guide is by no means an exhaustive list of where to live in South Africa’s Cape Town, but is designed to give you a short and insightful glimpse of where to live when you immigrate to South Africa.
