Digital Nomad Guide to Cape Town, South Africa
Do you have a passion for multiculturalism, the great outdoors, pleasant weather, and beaches with white sand? If this is the case, then you will most likely fall in love with Cape Town. The huge metropolis of Cape Town, which may be found near the southernmost point of Africa, is home to 4.6 million people. Cape Town is often referred to as the “mother city,” yet its central business area is really rather modest. This bustling urban center is home to a diverse collection of co-working spaces, each of which is populated by thriving communities of digital nomads. What follows is an analysis of the pros and cons of working as a digital nomad in Cape Town, including an estimate of the costs of living there.
Accommodation Expenses
Even though Cape Town has some of the highest real estate costs in the nation, it is still possible to find reasonably priced rentals there, particularly if you choose to live in a house share or a co-living place. In most cities, the amount of rent you pay is directly proportional to the neighborhood in which you choose to reside. For a room in a shared home or apartment, the rent that is often expected to be paid is between $270 and $530 on a monthly basis. You may expect to spend anything from $400 to $1,000 per month in rent if you live by yourself in an apartment or home.
Cape Town is a well-known tourist destination that also has a diverse selection of lodging options, including budget and luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guest homes. You may spend as low as $15 per night in a shared dorm room at a hostel; an Airbnb can run you upwards of $400 each month; and a quality B&B or hotel will cost you around $100 per day or more.
You should keep in mind that the main season for tourism runs roughly from November to March, and if you want to arrive during that period, you will need to book your accommodations in advance in order to find anything suitable. When renting an apartment or room, it is possible that you may be asked to pay an initial deposit that ranges from one to three months’ rent. Because it is typical for utilities such as electricity and property charges (and even water, in some cases) to be extra expenditures on top of rent, you will need to make room in your budget to cover these additional expenses.
Food And Beverage Expenses
Cape Town boasts a plethora of great restaurants, wine farms, cafés, taverns, nightclubs, and coffee shops. Eating out is relatively reasonable, and you can expect to spend roughly $6.60 – $13.20 for a great lunch at a reputable restaurant. There are also loads of cheap solutions available. South Africa has a low per capita cost of alcoholic beverages, and the city of Cape Town is widely recognized for its abundance of wineries, artisan breweries, and an increasing number of gin distilleries.
A decent bottle of wine may be purchased for between $4 and $6.60 on average. The typical price for a glass of wine at a restaurant is roughly $2 – $3.3. In regards to purchasing food, there are various outlets to pick from, some of which are more budgeted than others. If you don’t dine out very often, you may anticipate spending between $46 and $80 on groceries for one person every single month.
Visa Requirements
The majority of visitors to South Africa are granted a visa valid for three months. You will need to get in touch with the South African Embassy in order to get up-to-date information on the visa requirements that are associated with the passport you possess. Keep an eye out for any developments on the introduction of a Remote Working Visa.
Co-working Spaces
Inner City Ideas Cartel
A high-end shared office space known as the Inner City Ideas Cartel can be found in the heart of the city. It has amenities such as hot desks, fixed desks, private offices, conference spaces, and day-to-day plans. In addition, it has a rooftop pool, common kitchen, and café, as well as an on-site bar.
Workshop17 Watershed
The co-working space Workshop17 Watershed is located near the Cape Town Waterfront, which is a lively and bustling area of the city. It had been a warehouse in the past, but it is now open to start-up companies, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads who want to utilize its amenities, which include over one hundred hot workstations in addition to permanent desks. They also host regular networking events.
The Bureaux
The Bureaux on Bree Street is situated in the center of the city and provides private apartments, co-working places, meeting rooms, and relaxation zones.
No 80 Hout Street
The open-concept co-working loft space at No. 80 Hout Street caters to creative freelancers and benefits from a prime location in the heart of the city. It is popular among freelancers such as designers, authors, start-up founders, developers, photographers, and entrepreneurs in the arts.
Cape Town Nightlife
A vibrant nightlife can be found in Cape Town, which is known across the globe as a popular destination for tourists. Again, there are some locations that should be avoided if you are club-hopping by yourself. Long Street in the Central Business District is the ideal location to kick off a fun night out on the town. The street is a center of activity at night and provides you with every form of indulgence you could want, from quick food to cuisine worthy of a five-star restaurant, from laid-back pubs to top-notch nightclubs that feature the finest DJs on the circuit.
Final Thoughts
One of the best destinations to do remote work in 2023 was selected to be Cape Town, which ranks in the top 15. Becoming a digital nomad in South Africa comes with a lot of advantages, in spite of a few disadvantages such as the risk of being a victim of crime. Thus, the advantages are the picturesque landscapes and beaches, excellent surfing conditions, a cosmopolitan and networked expat and digital nomad community, kind and welcoming locals, and delectable cuisine.
