Johannesburg. Jozi. Joburg. The “City of Gold”. Whatever you call it, South Africa’s sprawling capital city is a thriving economic centre whose inhabitants come from right across the country, the continent and the world. If you're thinking of making Johannesburg your new home, it's best to first weigh up the pros and cons to figure out if it's the best city for you.
With over 6 million people (and growing) who call Johannesburg home, what do you need to know about this diverse megapolis?
Let’s go take a look.
Moving to a big city brings with it a lot of benefits. It also requires a great deal of adjustments. Living in a capital city will result in a significant change of pace for you and your family. Here, we’re talking about obvious things like increased traffic, higher costs of living and of course, increased opportunity.
But there's also the hidden, less talked about side of life in a big city: stress, feelings of claustrophobia, not to mention the health impacts. Certainly, when you are tossing up whether life in a megacity is for you, there are multiple considerations that need to be made.
So, before you start packing boxes and searching for the best removal companies in Johannesburg, it might just be time to consider the following pros and cons of city life in Johannesburg first.
Joburg has a lot to offer in terms of lifestyle and opportunities. Let's take a look at some of the main points in favour of moving to Johannesburg.
You may be moving to Johannesburg for a new job. Or to start a business. Whilst the global economy is still rebounding from the pandemic, Joburg remains a hive of economic activity.
Indeed, as a city, Johannesburg remains the single largest contributor to the national economy. And, according to statistics, Joburg’s average economic growth rate is approximately 3.6%, which is significantly higher than the national economy’s at 2.7%.
As happened when gold was first discovered there in 1884, Johannesburg continues to be a drawcard for people all over Africa and the world who want to pursue their dreams of economic fortune.
The many different cultural groups that call Johannesburg home are what give the city its vibrancy. Take a wander through the city and you will likely find a diverse and rich cultural blend.
On just one city street alone you might find Tsonga, Zulu and Ndebele artisans working side-by-side selling their wares. And this rich cultural diversity isn’t always that easy to find in smaller towns.
Living in a big city, surrounded by a lot of different people from all walks of life, teaches people to be open-minded. And it also provides many wonderful opportunities for cultural exchange and learning.
According to research, the brains of city dwellers vary from their country counterparts in terms of the way they handle stress. What the data suggests is that urbanites deal with stress far worse than country folk. This is because living in a big city can mean facing more environmental stressors on a daily basis.
Noise pollution, traffic congestion, crowding. All of these can add up over time and if not dealt with correctly, they can become overwhelming. It’s a good thing Joburg is well known for its gorgeous parks that act as a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Going for a run, riding a bike, taking a yoga class or just simply going for a stroll can help clear your stress and calm your mind, ready for another exciting day of living in a big city.
Let’s face it. Living in a bigger city means that you are more likely to see crimes occurring or be a victim of crime yourself than if you were to live in the countryside. This is simply a matter of the sheer number of people who live together in a big city. There are criminal elements wherever you go and Joburg is no different.
The media tends to sensationalize the amount of crime in this city. However, most residents feel perfectly safe in their day-to-day lives and know which parts of the city to avoid.
On the flip side, the security industry in South Africa is world-class. Quick response times, high-tech alarm systems and a range of more specialised services available mean securing the services of a private security company is an easy and effective way of guarding against becoming a victim of crime. What’s more, there are plenty of secure, gated communities in top neighbourhoods to move into to help you feel even safer in this vibrant, sprawling city.
Now that you’ve weighed up the pros and cons of life in South Africa’s biggest city it may be time to plan your move. With this in mind, let’s discuss the critical factors you need to be on the lookout for when choosing a moving company in Johannesburg to move with.
Is the moving company an accredited member of the South African Professional Movers’ Association (PMA)? If they are, you can rest assured that you have chosen a reliable removal company that provides exceptional service and attention to detail.
It’s always important to do your homework before you decide on one set of movers over another. Go onto Google Reviews and read what other customers are saying about the moving company.
Make sure the removalist is consistently scoring favourable reviews and ratings. Ideally, you should see words like ‘reliable’, ‘experts’, ‘professional’, and ‘efficient’ keep popping up. This is evidence that you have found a dependable company to entrust your worldly possessions.
Maybe you need a specialist removalist. Some moving companies that operate in Johannesburg do specialise in moving things like boats, cars, and pianos. Whereas others are more generalists. Reach out to the removalist you are considering and ask if they can offer more specialised moving services, should you need them.
Weighing up the pros and cons of city life in Joburg and putting these tips about finding the right moving company for your needs will ensure your move to the big city is a successful one. Now, all that’s left for you to do is stake your claim in the City of Gold.
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