Johannesburg

As a local, born and bred Joburger, I can tell you that there is a lot to love about this city if you know where to look. For the most part, it's orientated around suburbian living. The main city (Johannesburg CBD) is for the most part a no-go because of crime, but if you know some locals you should definitely check it out there are amazing restaurants, theatres and museums to experience there.

Having lived here for 30+ years, I'd recommend checking out Sandton CBD, restaurants in Linden, Wanderers and Bryanston, and rent a car to drive out to The Cradle of Humankind, and visit the Maropeng museum there. There is a lot to do here, you just need to think and act like a local.

If you are travelling to Johannesburg, I also feel like you'd be doing yourself a diss service by not planning a trip to The Kruger National Park.

I am a UK born, East Asian female who lived in Joburg (alone) as an expat for a few years... and I really love it.
Yes, there are safety concerns so you must take precautions, however, I found the locals to be extremely warm and friendly (the one thing I wasn't expecting when I arrived), the weather is spot on, it's very cheap, good quality new build apartments in places like Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurt, Bryanston etc and AMAZING quality restaurants e.g you can get an excellent fillet steak and a glass of wine for $15 in a high end restaurant. The going out scene was a little quiet but you could definitely find bars clubs open until 2/3 am. Meeting people I found easy as all the locals want to talk to you. A nomad wanting a high quality and cheap lifestyle I think would enjoy it. With that being said, Cape Town would be the better choice for a Nomad in South Africa.

joburg has been a great place to Nomad. Nice coffee shops in the Sandton, Parkhurst and Rosebank area. Very friendly people and fast internet. Rent is pretty cheap. Not much of a nomad scene but there were a decent amount of online entreprenuers around.

I have been to Jo berg twice. The last time being 3-years ago. Each visit was not pleasant as being in the city reminded me of being in Northern Ireland in the early 1980’s. I was in the British military and engaged in various bits and bobs in the most dangerous village in the country (based upon the number of security forces who lost there lives there). The reason I mention this is the ‘vibe’ in Jo Berg is exactly the same as it was in Northern Ireland’s ‘murder central’. The only exception is i was walking around without the comfort of a weapon in my hands and three other desperados backing me up (we operated in 4 man teams). I have had a look at the ‘scores’ section on Jo Berg and it is in no way representative of the situation on the ground. Whether you are an expat, nomad or a whatever please understand that Jo Berg is not a place to go ‘sight seeing’ in unless you have a couple SUV’s rammed with black water personnel following you. Joking aside there are better places to live in Southern Africa.

Johannesburg is a city in and the capital of South Africa. It is also the largest city in Africa. At an elevation of 2,389 metres (7,895 feet) above sea level, it is located at the centre of the Highveld area of the Transvaal Basin, on the east bank of the upper reaches of the Vaal River. It is one of the most developed cities in Africa, and is the major centre of South Africa's economy.

The city is ranked as the 22nd-largest city in the world, and the largest city in Africa, with a population of approximately four million, encompassing a metropolitan area of over ten million. Johannesburg is the largest of South Africa's four national, co-constitutional capital cities, which are also the largest cities in the country.

Johannesburg is usually called Joburg, its nickname, and has been known as the City of Gold, due to the large gold mining industry, the major source of its prosperity, in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is one of the largest stock exchanges on the African continent. The city is a major centre for commerce, industry, entertainment, and culture. Gold is mined in Johannesburg, and many of the city's buildings have a mining theme.