Durban, South Africa 🇿🇦
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Durban is a vibrant coastal city in South Africa, known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural diversity. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 3.7 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 30 Mbps and upload speed of 10 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 19.50 ZAR; ATMs widely available, debit/credit cards accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban areas. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz,🔌 Type M sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C; prepaid SIMs readily available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Standard Bank, ABSA, and FNB are popular options for banking services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments are available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, most places accept card payments and mobile wallets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local vacation rentals are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like backpackers in Durban or budget hotels like 'Bunk Backpackers'. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | COWORK, located in the city center; offers flexible desk and meeting spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Whippet offers great coffee and a comfortable working atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and networking events are held at venues like the Durban Startup Meetup group. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Durban Expats Facebook group organizes regular meetups and social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are widely used for ride services in Durban. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Riders can use bike-sharing services like Gocycle. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Umhlanga Rocks Beach, a 20-minute drive from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Airlink operates regional flights across South Africa. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | South African Airways and British Airways provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | N3 and N2 highways provide major connections to the region. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Durban's main train station is located in the city center. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Durban offers a transport card for easy access to public transit. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services like Greyhound and Intercape connect Durban to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Netcare uMhlanga Hospital is one of the top private facilities in the region. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Soul Yoga offers classes and wellness programs across Durban. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Virgin Active and Planet Fitness are popular gyms in the area. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as 'Mr. Laundry' are available for local laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Mr D Food are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Bunny Chow - a local favorite made of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Vegan Café and The Goodness Café cater to plant-based diets. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Candy Bar is famous for its sweet treats and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Victoria Street Market offers budget-friendly local foods and crafts. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Takealot and Loot are South Africa's major online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Checkers and Pick n Pay offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Florida Road is a vibrant area known for its nightlife and dining options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Mad Giant Brewery offers tours and tastings of their craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Winehouse in Durban is known for its extensive selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Check out the stalls along the beachfront promenade for diverse street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Little Gujarat serves delicious Indian cuisine, a must-try for visitors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The uShaka Marine World and the Durban Botanic Gardens are top attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Durban Art Gallery showcases local art and historical exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Old Fort and the KwaMuhle Museum highlight Durban's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Juma Masjid Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the southern hemisphere. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Durban International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and audiences globally. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Morningside neighborhood hosts a mix of cultures and restaurants. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Playhouse Company is a prominent theater with diverse performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Artisan Market at the I Heart Market is known for local crafts and foods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Musical performances can be found at venues like The Rainbow Restaurant. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Check out the murals in the Glenwood district for vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | African Flavors offers cooking classes featuring local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The KZNSA Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | City Hall, with its beautiful architecture, is a notable historic building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Battle of Isandlwana memorial represents the cultural heritage of the Zulu people. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Krantzkloof Nature Reserve offers stunning views and hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is a 2-hour drive, ideal for safari experiences. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The beachfront promenade is great for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Signal Hill offers panoramic views of the city and coastline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Umgeni River Bird Park is perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas on the beaches allow for bonfires during authorized hours. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and The Courier Guy provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iTech and MTN stores offer device repairs across Durban. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis setups available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Durban Language School offers courses in various languages. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Durban Central Library provides quiet study areas and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Durban Community Centre hosts various local events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamers can enjoy sessions at Arena Gaming Lounge. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Suncoast Casino offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 600,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 480,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 17,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 1,020,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 13,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 780,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 18,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 1,440,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 14,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 1,120,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28% for companies in South Africa. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on annual income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for high-income brackets. |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% standard Value Added Tax rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, South Africa has stringent CFC laws. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on municipal valuation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 7% rate on property transactions above ZAR 1,000,000. |