South Africa is a beautiful country with a rich heritage and diverse communities. Just like with every country in the world, some cities in the country are unsafe. In this article, we will discuss some of the safest cities that the country has.
South Africa has become popular for expats looking to relocate over the last few years. In 2019, 4.2 million international migrants moved to the country, which is higher than anywhere else in Africa. When people think of moving to the country, they will usually ask whether the country is safe to live in, but like with every country, some cities are known to be problem areas.
We list some beautiful cities with low crime rates. Find them below.
1. Cape Town
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in crime in some districts. However, some neighbourhoods and cities are still desirable as they are safer than others. Cape Town is part of these cities as it is modern, diverse and exciting, offering some of the best scenery on the planet. The scenery it provides makes it a popular city for young and old expats.
Cape Town’s inner city has been revamped as a lot of money was spent on improving the levels of cleanliness and safety in urban areas. Some areas in the city tend to have a concentration of crime, such as around the Cape Flats district located in the east of the city. However, further areas provide excellent quality of life and safety, such as the Southern Suburbs and Atlantic Seaboard.
2. The Garden Route
The Garden Route, which is considered to be the nation’s jewel, is an area that stretches between the Western and Eastern Cape, and it is amongst the best places you can live in the country. The Garden Route is 200km of coastline, which runs from the Mossel Bay to the Storms River. The district is incredibly popular with tourists and provides much appeal to tourists and permanent residents.
The Garden Route is not only relaxing, but it provides an entertaining lifestyle while also being incredibly safe. The city offers plenty of gated estates that provide superior security measures while having beautiful views. Tsitsikamma offers gorgeous and natural delights, including luscious forests, rocky crags and sandy beaches. There is also the town of Knysna which is one of the country’s premier golfing locations.
3. Port St John’s
Port St John is a small coastal town called the Jewel of the Wild Coast, as it offers genuine South African hospitality. The Wild Coast stretches over 250 kilometres of coast, and it is still untouched by plastic civilisation, where it has a reputation for being inaccessible due to it having ship-crushing waves. Therefore, the city offers rich experiences, plenty of adventures, and rustic authenticity.
Port St John’s is located at the mouth of the Umzimvubu and the Indian Ocean coastline. The town provides a sleepy and sublime lifestyle which is perfect for a growing family as it has plenty of good nearby amenities.
The Eastern Cape district might have a crime and poverty problem, but Port St John’s is one of the safer areas due to its good community programs that have contributed to an improvement in the local life.
4. Cape St. Francis
The seaside village is located between Port Elizabeth and Storms River, at the end of the Garden Route. Cape St. Francis is regarded as one of the best surfing locations due to its geological location. The area is susceptible to swell year-round due to large low-pressure systems that form between Antarctica and the southern tip of Africa. Whenever the large southwest swells wrap around Seal Point, and the offshore winds come up, they provide the best surfing experience. Cape St. Francis is a popular destination for local tourists during the holiday season due to its beaches. It is a pleasingly quiet commercial retreat when it is out of season. It also has access to excellent facilities and amenities close to Port Elizabeth; however, it offers a safer and more peaceful environment than Port Elizabeth.
5. The West Coast
Located around 100km north of Cape Town, South Africa’s west coast is sparsely populated and peaceful, with almost undiscovered beaches, rich geographical diversity and incredible mountain ranges. The area is trendy for treks and drives. Various small towns run up to the west coast, which is delightful and safe. Some towns include St. Helena Bay, Yzerfontein and Churchhaven, which have low crime levels while offering a secure and gentle way of life.
Conclusion
South Africa is still the most visited place in Africa; however, this does not necessarily mean that the entire country is safe. Over the years, there has been a surge in crime rates, but some cities are safer than others. You can plan better for your next holiday by understanding which cities are safer.
