💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Johannesburg
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Very affordable cost of living
- ✓Fast fiber and 5G internet
- ✓Excellent food scene with diverse cuisines
- ✓Gateway to Kruger National Park safaris
- ✓Rich cultural and historical attractions
- ✓Friendly and welcoming locals
- ✓Modern coworking spaces in safe suburbs
- ✓Largest city in Africa with endless activities
- ✓Pleasant year-round climate on the highveld
- ✓Strong expat and entrepreneurial community
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Safety concerns require vigilance
- ✗CBD and some areas are unsafe
- ✗Load shedding affects power reliability
- ✗Car-dependent city with limited walkability
- ✗Traffic congestion during rush hours
- ✗Public transport limited outside Gautrain
- ✗Economic inequality highly visible
- ✗Must stay in specific safe neighborhoods
- ✗Far from beaches and coastal activities
- ✗Smaller digital nomad community than Cape Town
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Johannesburg
Workshop17 Rosebank
📍 16 Baker Street, Rosebank, Johannesburg • 100 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
WeWork The Link
📍 173 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg • 150 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
MESH Club
📍 1 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
JoziHub
📍 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg • 80 Mbps • Meeting rooms
The Workspace Blackheath
📍 299 Pendoring Road, Blackheath, Johannesburg • 100 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Father Coffee Rosebank
📍 Rosebank
Motherland Coffee Rosebank
📍 Rosebank
Bean There Coffee
📍 Milpark
The Grind Coffee Company
📍 Braamfontein
Croft & Co
📍 Parkview
Starbucks Rosebank
📍 Rosebank
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Johannesburg
Sandton
Sandton is Johannesburg's premier business district and one of the safest, most developed areas in the city. Known as the richest square mile in Africa, it features world-class shopping at Sandton City Mall, Nelson Mandela Square, and luxury hotels. The area offers excellent security, modern high-rise apartments, fine dining, and easy Gautrain access. Perfect for professionals who want corporate convenience with premium amenities.
Rosebank
Rosebank is undeniably the coolest neighborhood in Johannesburg for digital nomads. This trendy area offers the perfect mix of culture, shopping, and entertainment with quality cafés, art galleries, and the famous Rosebank Art Market. The walkable streets around Rosebank Mall have excellent security, and the Gautrain station provides easy city access. Numerous coworking spaces and modern apartments make it ideal for remote workers.
Parkhurst
Parkhurst has a distinctly European feel with its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and trendy 4th Avenue strip. This charming suburb offers excellent cafés, stylish restaurants, and walkable outdoor dining. Property sizes are smaller but the community vibe is strong. Popular with young professionals and families, it's just a short drive from Sandton and the CBD while maintaining a village atmosphere.
Maboneng
Maboneng is Johannesburg's revitalized creative hub, transformed from a once no-go zone into one of the city's trendiest districts. Packed with art galleries, boutique shops, rooftop bars, and hip cafés, it's a must-visit for culture lovers. The weekly Sunday market and live music events create a vibrant atmosphere. Digital nomads are drawn to its creative energy, street art, and growing coworking scene.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is one of the most powerful museums in the world, chronicling South Africa's tumultuous past through immersive exhibits, historical photos, film footage, and personal stories. The thoughtfully curated displays take visitors through the rise and fall of apartheid, offering profound insights into the nation's struggle for freedom and equality. Allow at least 3 hours for this emotional and educational experience.
Cradle of Humankind
A UNESCO World Heritage Site located 50km northwest of Johannesburg, the Cradle of Humankind is where our ancestors first walked the earth. Visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre for interactive exhibits on human evolution and explore the Sterkfontein Caves where fossils dating back 3.5 million years were discovered. The stunning landscapes also offer hiking trails and hot air balloon tours.
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill is a former prison that held political activists including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, now transformed into a museum and symbol of South Africa's democracy. The site houses the Constitutional Court, built on the remains of the Old Fort. Explore the Women's Prison, Number Four, and learn about the country's journey from oppression to freedom through powerful personal testimonies.
Soweto & Mandela House
Soweto, the historic township where the struggle for democracy was born, offers an authentic glimpse into South African culture and history. Visit the Mandela House Museum on Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners. Take a guided bicycle or walking tour to experience the vibrant community, local restaurants, and the powerful Hector Pieterson Memorial.
Gold Reef City
Built on an old gold mine that once produced over 40% of the world's gold, Gold Reef City combines a theme park with historical mining tours. Descend 75 meters underground to see real gold being poured, then enjoy thrilling rides including the Tower of Terror and Anaconda roller coaster. The Victorian-era architecture and daily shows make it perfect for families and history enthusiasts alike.
Johannesburg Botanical Garden
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden in Emmarentia offers a peaceful escape from the urban bustle with over 125 hectares of beautiful gardens and indigenous flora. The rose garden is spectacular in summer, while the dam provides a serene backdrop for picnics and walks. Free entry makes it perfect for remote workers seeking a nature break or anyone wanting to enjoy Joburg's famous greenery.
Neighbourgoods Market
The Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein transforms every Saturday into a vibrant celebration of Johannesburg's diverse food scene and creative culture. Browse artisanal goods, sample cuisines from around Africa and the world, and enjoy live music while mingling with locals and visitors. The rooftop setting offers great city views and a perfect introduction to Joburg's hipster food culture.
Nelson Mandela Square
Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton features a 6-meter bronze statue of the beloved leader and serves as the heart of Johannesburg's upscale shopping and dining district. The piazza-style square is surrounded by restaurants, boutiques, and connects to Sandton City Mall. It's perfect for an evening stroll, al fresco dining, or simply paying respects to South Africa's most iconic figure.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Johannesburg completely exceeded my expectations! I spent three months working from Rosebank and absolutely loved it. The fiber internet in my apartment was consistently 80+ Mbps, and Workshop17 became my second home. Yes, you need to be safety-conscious, but staying in the right neighborhoods (Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurst) I never felt unsafe. The food scene is incredible - world-class steaks for $15, amazing African cuisine, and coffee culture to rival any European city. The Apartheid Museum was life-changing, and weekend trips to Kruger were unforgettable. Cost of living is unbeatable - my monthly expenses including a nice apartment with backup power were under $1,200. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming. Don't let the negative press scare you away from this amazing city."
"Joburg is a city of contrasts that grows on you. The digital nomad scene isn't as established as Cape Town, but that's part of the charm - you feel more integrated into local life. Internet is reliable with fiber widely available, though load shedding means you need apartments with backup power (budget extra for this). I loved working from Father Coffee and the cafes in Parkhurst. The cultural experiences are unmatched - Constitution Hill and Soweto tours were highlights. Downsides: the city is very car-dependent (Uber is essential), and you can't just wander everywhere freely. But for the price, the quality of life, and the access to incredible experiences both in and around the city, Joburg is worth considering if you're comfortable with being a bit more vigilant."
"Johannesburg is not for every digital nomad, and I want to be honest about that. The safety situation requires constant awareness - I couldn't walk around with my phone out, and navigating after dark meant planning Ubers in advance. Load shedding disrupted my work schedule more than expected, even with my apartment's inverter. The city is sprawling and not walkable, which got frustrating. That said, the positives: incredibly affordable (my budget went 3x further than in Europe), genuinely friendly locals who invited me into their lives, amazing food at ridiculous prices, and the Cradle of Humankind was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're adaptable and safety-conscious, Joburg offers tremendous value. If you want the easy nomad life, Cape Town might be a better fit."
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