Here’s the complete guide with everything you need to know about living in Bloemfontein!
Nestled in the heart of South Africa, Bloemfontein is a charming city that almost 600,000 South Africans call home. Bloemfontein also holds the title of the judicial capital of South Africa and one of the three capital cities in the country, along with Cape Town and Pretoria.
Bloemfontein has quite a few names attached to it. With the direct translation of ‘flower fountain’ from Afrikaans, Bloemfontein is nicknamed the City of Roses. This is also due to the city’s abundance of flowers and the annual Rose Festival in October. Bloemfontein is also called Mangaung — the Sesotho name for the land of the cheetahs.
While cheetahs once used to roam the plains that we now know as Bloemfontein, today, other cheetahs own the land — the local rugby team, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs! And as one of the most popular sports in Bloemfontein, the local sports lovers really know how to bring the gees!
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The main languages spoken in Bloemfontein are:
Sesotho (65%)
Afrikaans (13%)
isiXhosa (7,5%)
Setswana (5,2%)
Covering over 235 km2, Bloemfontein offers a range of beautiful suburbs — from the busy CBD and lively student centres to peaceful and family-filled homes outside of the hustle and bustle.
Universitas is a very popular area conveniently located near the centre of Bloemfontein but far enough away from the busy CBD to be a peaceful residential area.
Universitas is a favourite for many students and families as the home to Grey College, Eunice High School and the University of the Free State. As a beloved residential area, you can also find many guesthouses, shopping centres and healthcare facilities.
Located in rolling ‘koppies’ west of Bloemfontein Central, Langenhovenpark is a top choice for locals. With a range of affordable flats and houses to larger and more expensive properties, Langenhovenpark has something for everyone.
Langenhovenpark offers quick access to the major highways, such as the N1, N8 and Nelson Mandela Drive. You can also find many restaurants, cafes, shops and even nurseries for avid gardeners. And don’t miss out on the Langenhovenpark Boeremark, or farmer’s market, that takes place every Saturday.
Regarded as one of the more luxurious and safe neighbourhoods in Bloemfontein, Dan Pienaar is an excellent choice for families.
Located just north of Bloemfontein Central, residents have easy access to great schools, shopping malls and fun activities. A great family activity found in Dan Pienaar is the Elude Escape Room.
Waverley is another more exclusive Bloemfontein suburb with beautiful properties on the more expensive side.
Found at the base of Naval Hill, Waverley is a much sought-after neighbourhood for its stunning landscapes and quiet streets. Proximity to Naval Hill also offers Waverley residents easy access to its famous monuments, Franklin Game Reserve and incredible Planetarium! It’s also a great location for art lovers as the home of the beloved Oliewenhuis Art Museum.
A 6-minute drive west of Bloemfontein Central, Willows is a bustling area with lots to do. The Loch Logan Waterfront makes Willows a hotspot for shopping, restaurants and entertainment. It’s also the perfect spot for sports lovers with the Toyota Stadium and Mangaung Oval.
Willows has also become a big area for student accommodation, especially for students at the Central University of Technology.
And to give it some extra character, Willows has some interesting history as the home to the first post office built in Bloemfontein.
Bayswater is on the rise as an affordable area in the north of Bloemfontein and a new favourite for young couples and first-time homeowners.
This northern neighbourhood is perfect for families as home to a range of schools, such as Bloemfontein High School and Primary School and Brebner High School and Primary.
It’s also a hotspot for retirees due to the popular Bayswater Retirement Village.
Heuwelsig is a gorgeous neighbourhood in the north of Bloemfontein. Being a bit out of town, it’s one of the more tranquil and spacious areas with nature sanctuaries, such as the Heuwelsig Nature Reserve and Heuwelsig North Playground.
You can also find a nice array of restaurants and local shops, plus some of the best healthcare facilities in the city. Retirees should also look at Heuwelsig to check out Aliquando Retirement Villages in the area.
With its central location, Westdene is the tourist hotspot of Bloemfontein. Not only is it close to the town’s tourist hotspots but it’s also the centre of nightlife in the city with its wide range of restaurants, bars, live music venues, theatres and clubs. It has become the hub of energy and diversity in Bloemfontein.
There’s also a great mix of residential and student accommodation, offering both homes and apartments at affordable prices.
As one of the three capital cities in South Africa, Bloemfontein does have ample job opportunities for professionals. But as one of the smaller cities in South Africa, the job opportunities are quite small in comparison to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The average salary in Bloemfontein is R186 000 per year or around R15 500 per month. Popular jobs in Bloemfontein include:
Office Administrator
Accountant
High School Teacher
Operations Manager
Administrative Assistant
Pharmacist
Registered Nurse
But while you may earn less than in one of the big cities, the cost of living is also substantially less — ranked 8th lowest cost of living out of 36 South African towns.
The average total cost of living in Bloemfontein is R12 000 for individuals or R26 000 for a family of 4.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the living costs in Bloemfontein:
| Expense | Average Price |
| Rental for 1-bedroom apartment | R2 575 |
| Rental for 3-bedroom house | R6 500 |
| Property | R1 000 000 |
| 1 litre of milk | R15 |
| 12 large eggs | R34 |
| Loaf of bread | R15 |
| Cappuccino | R30 |
| Bottle of wine | R96 |
| Gym membership | R474 |
Despite being a relatively small city, Bloemfontein is bursting with many fun and interesting things to do! Here are the top activities in Bloemfontein:
Ascend Naval Hill to capture stunning photographs of the iconic Nelson Mandela statue while enjoying the finest panoramic views of Bloemfontein.
Immerse yourself in a shopping and dining paradise at Loch Logan Waterfront, where you can browse diverse shops and savour delicious cuisine by the waterfront. It's truly a unique spot in this typically dry area.
Enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Free State National Botanical Gardens, perfect for picnics amidst the lush greenery and vibrant flora.
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Experience the freshest produce and local flavours at Langenhoven Park Farmers Market, your go-to destination for farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dive into South Africa's natural history at the Bloemfontein National Museum, where fascinating exhibits and artefacts await your discovery.
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Journey through South African history at the Anglo-Boer War Museum, gaining insight into a pivotal period through captivating exhibits and displays.
Marvel at the captivating fusion of African art and Dutch architecture at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, a cultural gem that showcases creativity at its finest.
Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Franklin Game Reserve on Naval Hill, a unique opportunity to spot animals amidst the cityscape.
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Catch the excitement of sports by attending events at the Free State Stadium or Mangaung Oval, where thrilling matches and games unfold.
A festival not to be missed, the city is transformed into a display of colour and activity. With it's arid landscapes, seeing the stunning roses of Bloemfontein makes one appreciate it just that much more.
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Bloemfontein is home to some of the top schools in South Africa, from primary schools all the way to the top universities, making it an excellent town for both families and students.
Here are the top schools in Bloemfontein:
Primary schools: Eunice Primary School, Mangaung Primary School, Olympia Primary School
High schools: Grey College, Eunice High School, Curro High School Bloemfontein
Universities: University of the Free State, Central University of Technology
While most people get around Bloemfontein with their own car, Bloemfontein does also offer some public transport in the form of taxis and the Interstate Bus Lines. However, the public transport systems often aren’t very safe or accessible. Another option is the typical e-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt and Lyft.
If Bloemfontein sounds like the perfect new home for you, then there’s no better time than right now! What are you waiting for? Start planning your move to Bloemfontein!
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