Are you torn between the convenience of the city centre and the financial stability of the suburbs? If you’re part of Cape Town's Gen Z or Millennial crowd, you’ve probably felt the pinch of rising living costs. As much as we all dream of living in the heart of the CBD, it’s not always in the budget.
The good news? Cape Town is full of suburbs that still keep you close to the action, with thriving young communities, great amenities and a lifestyle that may just fit your vibe. That's why we've rounded up the best burbs for you to look at as a young professional.
Here’s a checklist of what you need to consider when finding your perfect Cape Town suburb that ticks all your boxes:
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Sea Point is the hub for the young, active, creative, and social (who can afford it). As one of Cape Town’s trendiest neighbourhoods, many locals and internationals flock to its shores. It attracts both young professionals, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads.
Sea Point is uniquely located near the buzz of the CBD, but in its seaside bubble that feels like the perfect summer getaway.
| Size | Rent |
| 1-Bedroom apartment | from R13,000 |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | from R20,000 |
Somerset West (also fondly known as Swest by locals) offers a peaceful lifestyle. It's traditionally been popular with families and retirees. That means that you have a lot of retirement villages and older folk to consider. You'll understand when you get stuck behind a 60+ resident at the 4 way stop.
Many companies are now relocating their headquarters out of the city and to Somerset West due to affordability. As a result, many young corporate professionals are moving to this stunning suburb.
| Size | Rent |
| 1-Bedroom apartment | From R8,000 |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | From R10,000 |
| 2-Bedroom house | From R15,000 |
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The Southern Suburbs refer to a group of areas, all centrally located in Cape Town.
Rondebosch, Wynberg, Plumstead, Diep River, Mowbray, Kenilworth, Claremont, Newlands, Tokai, Bergvliet, Bishopscourt, and Constantia all form part of this Southern Suburb group.
There’s more hustle and bustle closer to the city. The neighbourhoods get quieter and properties larger the further you move from the CBD. Each area also varies in price:
Home to many of Cape Town’s top universities and colleges, the Southern Suburbs are swarming with students. As a result, there's plenty of student accommodation in the area. Many graduates who still call the Southern Suburbs home and commute into town for their corporate jobs.
| Size | Rent |
| 1-Bedroom apartment | From R7,000 |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | From R11,000-R15,000 |
| 2-bedroom house | From R17,000-R25,000 (depending on the area) |
If you wanted to move to Table View for the picture-perfect, iconic landscape of Table Mountain, nobody would blame you. Known locally as the ‘Joburg of Cape Town’ or ‘Joburg by the Sea’, Table View is a charming suburb with a chilled, laid-back vibe.
It’s particularly favoured by remote workers and young families who'd rather look at the picturesque views of the Cape Town city bowl than live in it.
Moving from Joburg to Cape Town? Here's what you need to know about moving to Cape Town as a Joburger.
| Size | Rent |
| 1-Bedroom apartment | From R9,000 |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | From R12,000 |
| 2-Bedroom house | From R18,000 |
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Woodstock or Obs has changed a lot over the years. Overflowing with students, Woodstock and Obs are also great spots for the young professional who likes to work hard and play hard.
It offers a unique experience due to its melting pot of cultures and bohemian vibes. You'll find the best thrift stores, trendy bars and restaurants, art galleries, community groups and more.
Highlights: Obs Arts Festival, Sunday markets
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For those looking for a safer, quieter neighbourhood within the city bowl, Gardens is a popular choice. It's largely walkable with many peaceful parks, and close to the city’s buzzing social life.
Highlights: First Thursdays, Labia Theatre screenings
Durbanville is filled with green spaces, wine farms and good schools for those looking to start a family.
It’s particularly popular with young professionals wanting a safe, community-oriented environment. Most importantly, it's also an affordable area outside of the city.
Highlight: Durbanville Wine Valley, home to popular estates like Diemersdal, Meerendal, Durbanville Hills, and Nitida.
To really get a sense of the vibe of a neighbourhood, it’s best to experience it in person, instead of through a screen. So if you can, take a quick trip down to the Mother City to temporarily stay in your preferred areas and see if they’re truly right for you.
Once you’ve decided on your suburb, search for your perfect future home:
Once you know where you want to go, make sure you move in the winter. Landlords are more flexible during colder months, offering you much better deals. Definitely avoid moving at the start of the summer when everyone is high on holiday vibes (and rental prices).
Moving in winter also means lower moving costs, as you'll get off-season rates from moving companies in your area.
Once you’ve found the perfect place to live in Cape Town, the next step is to move.
Use our moving checklist and relocation guide to Cape Town to make the process easier from day 1.
To make the process as smooth as possible, find and book the best Cape Town moving companies near you on Wise Move. Simply enter your delivery request, address, and itinerary on Wise Move’s innovative platform, and you’ll receive affordable quotes from vetted movers in your area—all in one place. Compare customer reviews, check profiles and insurance, and book the moving team that best fits your needs.
Areas such as Sea Point, Hout Bay, Claremont, Newlands, Rondebosch, Gardens, and Oranjezicht are often safer, particularly for single women. While not always, typically, the more expensive areas are considered safer.
If you’re looking for good cafés with reliable internet, the best spots tend to gather in the popular, trendy areas around town. Some goodies include Sea Point (Maggy Lou’s), Gardens (Our Local), De Waterkant (The Loading Bay), Tamboerskloof (The Power and Glory), and District Six (The Electric).
Thankfully, most suburbs in Cape Town have become equipped with fibre in the last few years. So you can trust most areas will have fibre, if not, the infrastructure for a speedy installation.
Cape Town is filled with suburbs with booming nightlife. Unfortunately, safety, especially at night, is always a concern. Some Cape Town areas that find the balance between nightlife and safety include Claremont and Gardens (specifically, Kloof Street). Just remember to never walk alone, stay in big groups, and take extra precautions at night.
The closer you are to the city centre, the more people in their 20s you’ll find. Areas such as Sea Point, Gardens, Tamboerskloof, Woodstock, Observatory, and Rondebosch are jam-packed with young people, socialising hotspots, and opportunities to meet new people.
Many digital nomads choose to live near the city bowl in areas like Sea Point, City Centre, Gardens, and Woodstock. Some of the more affordable options for remote workers that still offer a great quality of life include Table View, Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Somerset West, and Stellenbosch.
We built Wise Move to make a quick and easy connection between customers and moving professionals – our platform is the stepping stone to make removals easier and more streamlined than ever before, and it all starts with one click. We’re dedicated to helping customers book the best, most efficient and most cost-effective movers in South Africa, both at a local and at a national level.
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Movers may ask you a few more details about your delivery before giving you a quote.
Compare prices and get to know movers before accepting their quote by reading previous customer reviews on our platform.
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