Sandton... ???

2POSTS

15 years ago

Hello,
I've been only in Mandela Sq. so far, but I don't understand how it's working here...
I mean, I've been told so many times that the city center in Jo'burg is really dangerous, but as I understood Sandton is a nice area and it's downtown... right?
I'm quiet confuse.
For example, can I go outside and walk around without being stuck in a mall?
Any particular place? Any nice, safe and ethnic market?

Thanks for any advice

See also

Become a digital nomad in South Africa - Guide
Meetups in Sandton - 6 Replies
Expats in Sandton - 17 Replies
Cost of living in Sandton - 12 Replies
Making friends in Johannesburg - 3 Replies
Fellow Filipinos in Johannesburg - 21 Replies
Hello! - 9 Replies

pgrhockey Member

2POSTS

15 years ago

Hello Emilio,

Where are you from?

Sandton is not the "city center". Johannesburg CBD is the city center but it's not as safe as Sandton. You can walk along Sandton area during day, it not dangerous, but walking in Johannesburg is not common for southafricans.

Craft markets are all over, specially on weekends. Rosebank roof top on Sundays, Bruma, Hilfox... I highly recommend Rosebank Roof market, easy to locate and plenty of ethnic and handmade stuff. If you want something even cheaper you can go to Hartebeersport Dam, where there's a market called Chamaelon.

safrican abroad New member

7POSTS

15 years ago

hi Emilio

Sandton is fine, but do take care when you walk outside of the mall.聽 do not venture into the city of joburg at night - it is not safe to do so.聽 during the day, sandton should be fine to walk outside of the mall.聽 where are you from?

regards

indobe Active member

88POSTS

15 years ago

Hi. I lived 5 years in Sandton. Thank God, nothing bad was happened. It is, a very nice place to live and shop. There聮s nothing else to say about the crime in South Africa that it聮s all depends on you: how you behave and you wear. Your life style attracts them (criminals). Don聮t show off. It聮s not a problem to walk around outside the mall. During the night, it聮s a bit precautious but don聮t worry too much as many securities are there. Sandton is now much safer than 5 years ago. There聮s even big station of Gautrain to go directly to the airport. Down town is not a safe place, especially if you聮re not familiar with the roads there. Get GPS, rather than to stop for asking directions. Never 100% believe to house keeper, gardener, etc. I always kept all door聮s keys when my helper was working. She also didn't work on the same day with the gardener. If possible, the gardener/s shouldn聮t know each other with the house keeper. That聮s what I did.... I was very happy and have been dreaming to go back there. Same with my children, they keep saying about the paradise, South Africa. Take care.

safrican abroad New member

7POSTS

15 years ago

You are most perceptive and absolutely correct - always be cautious when living in SA, but the beauty of this country is worth the effort!

property guru Member

13POSTS

15 years ago

Sandton is not situated in聽 downtown, you can also go to Monte casino or Sandton convention centre.

aravindh New member

5POSTS

15 years ago

Halo... I am an expat living in Sandton since last 2 months and i had same confusion about security concerns but i feel Sandton is lot safer than other places and i even blogged in my space about living in Sandton... I did this post to help out new comers to Sandton

aravindhindia.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-time-for-africa-living-in-sandton.html - Blog Post on Living in Sandton