Looking for Canadian Expats in South Africa?

Canadian Expats Moving to South Africa: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in South Africa, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in South Africa. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in South Africa? As an expat in South Africa, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in South Africa currently are:

• British
• Zimbabweans
• Germans
• Germans

Which cities are most popular among expats in South Africa? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in South Africa:

• Cape Town
• Durban
• Johannesburg

How much rent do expats pay in South Africa? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 750 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.245 USD . And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within South Africa.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in South Africa.

Average rent in Cape Town

• Single expats: 755 USD
• Expat families: 1.565 USD

Average rent in Durban

• Single expats: 475 USD
• Expat families: 815 USD

Average rent in Johannesburg

• Single expats: 475 USD
• Expat families: 945 USD

How safe is South Africa? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in South Africa as very unsafe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very high. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very high. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very low.

How safe is South Africa for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in South Africa as rather unsafe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in South Africa (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Why Canadian expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Receive Information and Tips about South Africa from Canadian Expats

Obviously, embarking on expat life in South Africa is not only about packing boxes and getting some paperwork done. The regular exchange with your Canadian compatriots is also an important aspect of the expat experience and can help you get accustomed to the South African culture and people. InterNations helps you meet and interact with other Canadians in South Africa, living in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and many other places across the country. Just take a look at our group ofCanadians in Johannesburg orCanadians in Cape Town.

So, if you should ever feel like speaking your mother tongue, finding out where to shop for Canadian food, or chatting about your favorite team’s latest match, join the Canadian InterNations Community:

• Browse our high-quality expat network to find like-minded expatriates from Canada in South Africa.
• Receive and share advice in our South Africa Expat Forums – e.g. how to find a nanny speaking your kids’ native tongue or where to shop for maple pancakes in Cape Town...
• Browse the InterNations Places database for South Africa to find institutions like the nearest Canadian embassy and many others.

From the Highveld's Gauteng City Region to the Garden Route, a scenic stretch along the south-east coast, we’ll get you in touch with helpful and friendly Canadian expats in South Africa.

Take Part in Various Expat Activities to Meet Fellow Canadians in South Africa

Additionally, you are cordially invited to participate in our regular expat events and activities taking place in South Africa. Our events cover various interests and range from a small expat dinner to enjoy the traditional South African bobotie, to big expat get-togethers with hundreds of guests in Cape Town's top locations. You may also join one of our expat excursions for a weekend trip together with a group of fellow Canadians in Pretoria to visit the Cape of Good Hope, the wilderness trails of Kruger National park, and other impressive landmarks across South Africa.

This way, our events and activities are a very nice occasion to meet fellow expats from Canada and around the world in a casual atmosphere. Interested? Sign up for membership and you’ll soon be welcomed with a warm Hello from our Canadians living in South Africa!