The city is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and around 3100 hours of sunshine a year. Yet Cape Town is also city that means business and since the international spotlight of the 2010 World Cup has proved herself as a major global city.The city has a thriving population and increasing numbers of companies basing their headquarters here and investing in the area. This colourful, vibrant city has so much to offer it is no surprise more and more expats are moving to Cape Town and discovering its charm for themselves.
Suburb Profiles
Camps Bay
This affluent suburb on the Atlantic Coast boasts pristine sandy beaches and spectacular scenery just a few kilometres from the city. It has excellent schools and a vibrant social scene centred on Victoria Road.
Durbanville
Durbanville is a pretty, tranquil suburb surrounded by picturesque wine country and farmland. Despite this rural feel, there plenty of urban facilities including superb schools, restaurants and shops.
Bloubergstrand
Located opposite the city on Table Bay, the attractive beach and stunning views of Bloubergstrand have long made it a popular commuter town. Property prices in this safe, friendly suburb compare favourably to the City Bowl area and the climate, location and facilities make this the perfect spot for water sports enthusiasts.
Constantia
Tucked away around Table Mountain in green wine country, Constantia is extremely popular with many expats due to its beautiful semi-rural location. It is also one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs with plenty of traditional houses and historic buildings.
Transport / Getting Around in Cape Town
There is a popular and reliable commuter rail service, Metrorail, linking many of the suburbs to the city centre. For drivers, the large network of freeway and dual carriage M-roads make navigating the city reasonably straight forward. There has also been huge investment in an Integrated Rapid Transit system to improve bus services across the area. The first phase was completed in time for the 2010 World Cup and the project continues to improve services to the suburbs.
Leisure Activities and Things to Do in Cape Town
Table Mountain dominates the local landscape and a visit to this iconic landmark, either via the Cableway or on foot, is a must for anyone moving to Cape Town. In the heart of the bustling port, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is another popular destination with a host of restaurants and shops as well some great attractions such as the Two Oceans Aquarium and Springbok Experience Museum. You can also catch a ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island where a museum now commemorates the political prisoners incarcerated on the Island during the struggle against apartheid. Cape Town is one of the most ecologically and geographically diverse areas in the world which makes it a great place for wildlife watching. At Boulders Beach you can up close with a colony of African Penguins and even take a swim on the adjacent beach. There are several companies offering whale watching excursions and trips out to Seal and Duiker Island where you can see Cape Fur Seals in their natural environment. The beautiful coastline boasts an array of pristine beaches, from the surfing hot spots of Long Beach and Llandudno to the sun soaked coves of Clifton and Camps Bay. Cape Town is also famous for its vineyards and the Constantia, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine routes are all well worth a trip.
Interesting facts about Cape Town
– The world’s first heart transplant was performed in Cape Town by Dr Christiaan Barnard in 1967.
– The Port of Cape Town is one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world giving it the nickname the ‘Tavern of the Seas’.
– At around 260 million years old, Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.
– The Cape Floral Kingdom’s biodiversity is world renowned. It has over 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world and Table Mountain National Park alone has more plant species than the British Isles or New Zealand.
South Africa
You can read more about Moving to South Africa on our blog:
Culture Shocks when Moving to South Africa
Other Popular Destinations
FAQ
Before moving to South Africa, it is important to ensure that you have all the proper applications in order and all documentation in hand. You will need to contact the local South African consulate for assistance. The consulate can approve your work permit before arriving which will save you time and stress during your move. You can also contact our experienced Move Managers who can provide expert advice regarding the import of your items into South Africa and guide you through every step of the moving process.
At John Mason, we understand that tracking your shipment during an international move is important. That’s why we provide regular updates on the status of your shipment throughout the move. Our Move Managers will keep you informed of the progress of your shipment and provide you with a tracking number that you can use to monitor the status of your shipment online. You can also contact your Move Manager at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your shipment. At destination, our local agents will contact you to arrange delivery and provide you with an estimated delivery date.
