Situated in northern Gauteng, Pretoria is the third largest city in South Africa and one of the country’s three de facto capitals. It is a very dynamic and bustling city that attracts expats every year due to its warm climate and relatively low cost of living. Pretoria is an important hub in South Africa, offering expats planning on living there many opportunities. Its modern and ancient atmosphere, along with its cultural diversity, makes Pretoria a vibrant and lively city. Whether you come for history, culture or food, here is why you should move to the capital of South Africa.
Long regarded as Johannesburg’s quieter, older sister, Pretoria has come into its own in recent years. Located in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, it’s a thriving city, filled with exciting opportunities and diverse cultures.
By moving to Pretoria, you will be entitled to several advantages, especially exposure to a multicultural environment and a vibrant economy providing various career prospects. Thanks to the presence of its international airport, Pretoria is also very popular with tourists visiting the country all year round.
Pretoria is an excellent opportunity to live relatively close to Johannesburg at a slightly lower cost. The most noticeable differences are in property prices and rent; however you would also find some savings on other expenses such as entertainment and dining out. Of course, if you are commuting into Johannesburg, you’ll need to factor in additional transport costs when making your decision.
As South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria is home to many civil servants, but a number of businesses are choosing to set up offices in the city centre as well. Pretoria has all the necessary infrastructure, as well as beautiful, leafy residential suburbs. It also has a lower crime rate than Johannesburg.
Pretoria’s economy is mainly driven by industry, tourism and education which, in fact, are the main job providers. Automotive construction is also quite developed thanks to the presence of Nissan and Ford factories, among others, followed by steel and metal production.
Pretoria is a large city and has a need for regular products and services which will always feature job openings. A constant flow of visiting businesspeople and foreign dignitaries has also created a large market for travel and leisure businesses.
Visitors and expats in Pretoria will find an abundance of things to see and do. There are many green spaces to explore including the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa and the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, while history lovers will be drawn to the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and the Van Wouw Museum. The main sport in Pretoria is rugby union, with the Blue Bulls plying their trade at the 52,000-capacity Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Pretoria doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but it’s a wonderful place to live and while it’s a little quieter than Johannesburg, it offers many of the same opportunities. Its crime rate is lower – always a bonus – and its lifestyle more leisurely. Pretoria also boasts lower pollution levels than its more industrialised neighbour. The leafy, green suburbs are famous for bursting into purple and orange Jacaranda splendour each year, and there’s a wealth of nature within easy reach.
If you’re looking for an exciting job opportunity in Pretoria, make sure you click through to our job section.
