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East London, South Africa 🇿🇦
#1440 ,

Nomad Score: 57%

Essentials

🏙️ City East London is a coastal city located in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.
👥 Population Approximately 400,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average download speed is 35 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 South African Rand (ZAR) ≈ 0.055 USD.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable.
🔌 Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type M sockets.
📶 SIM Card Main providers include Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C.
💳 Banking for Expats Most major banks like Standard Bank, First National Bank, and Capitec are widely accepted.
🛌 Accommodation Various options including local guesthouses, Airbnb, and rentals through local agencies.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are accepted widely, especially in urban areas.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local property management companies like Rawson are common.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel options include The Backpackers and The Haven.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The beachfront area near the East London Coast Nature Reserve.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Areas such as Gonubie and Beacon Bay with good internet connectivity.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space The Works East London.
Best Cafe for Work Jolly Roger Cafe, known for its Wi-Fi and cozy atmosphere.
💼 Networking Events Local meetups are organized through Facebook groups and platforms like Meetup.com.
🥂 Social Events for Expats The East London Expat group on Facebook organizes various social gatherings.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Bolt is popular among locals for ride-sharing.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals are offered at various local shops along the beachfront.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Gonubie Beach, suitable for swimming and sunbathing, is just 15 minutes away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Airlink operates flights from East London to major South African cities.
✈️ Top International Airline South African Airways offers international flights from East London.
🛣️ Highway Access N2 highway provides good connectivity to other major cities like Durban and Port Elizabeth.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub East London Railway Station serves local and regional rail services.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No dedicated public transport passes; buses and taxi services operate on a pay-as-you-go basis.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses such as Greyhound and Intercape run from East London to nearby towns.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital East London Private Hospital.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Hub and Noteworthy Health are popular spots.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Planet Fitness East London and Virgin Active offer various fitness options.
🧺 Laundry Services Laundry facilities are available at The Laundry Basket and Wash & Go.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Mr D Food and Uber Eats operate in the city.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try the local seafood platter featuring fresh fish and calamari.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Restaurants like The Green Room and The Veggie Bar cater to plant-based diets.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Kream Cafe is known for its decadent desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots The Stirling Market is a great place for local produce and budget goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Local and international shopping can be done on Takealot.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Groceries can be ordered via Checkers and Pick n Pay apps.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Esplanade is a popular area for nightlife with various bars.
🍻 Local Brewery East London Brewery offers tours and tastings.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Rack is recommended for wine enthusiasts.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Local food stalls are found along Oxford Street on weekends.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Italian cuisine can be enjoyed at Panarottis, located at various shopping centers.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks East London Museum, famous for its unique exhibits including the Coelacanth.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Ann Bryant Art Gallery features local and regional artworks.
🏰 Historical Sites The South African Air Force Museum is a notable historical attraction.
🕍 Religious Sites St. John's Cathedral is an architectural gem in East London.
🎉 Annual Events The East London Arts Festival is held annually showcasing local talent.
🎨 Cultural Districts The Quigney area is known for its vibrant cultural scene.
🎭 Theater Venues The Guild Theatre hosts various performances year-round.
🛍️ Local Markets The East London Terminal Market features a variety of goods.
🎼 Music Scene Live music can be enjoyed at venues like The Venue and The Music Room.
🎨 Street Art Street art is prevalent in areas like the city centre.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Cooking classes are offered at The Kitchen at The Hill.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Gallery on the Square exhibits contemporary art.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Old Railway Station building has historical significance.
🏴 Local Heritage The city has a rich heritage tied to its coastal location and diverse cultures.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Emerald Vale Brewery offers beautiful farm scenery and brewery tours.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby The Addo Elephant National Park is a short drive away.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The Nahoon River Mouth provides scenic walking and cycling paths.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Buffalo Park offers scenic views of the Buffalo River.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The East London Coast Nature Reserve is great for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Gonubie has areas designated for bonfires on the beach.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Courier services such as Dawn Wing and DHL are available.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Techie Town is a reliable choice for electronic repairs.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Table tennis can be enjoyed at local community centers.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Afrikaans and Xhosa classes are offered at local community colleges.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots The East London Library offers quiet areas for studying.
🏘️ Community Centers The East London Community Center hosts various events and activities.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Local gaming cafes offer areas for video gaming and competitions.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The Hemingways Casino offers a variety of gaming options.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ZAR 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 400,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ZAR 7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 300,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ZAR 9,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 540,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ZAR 6,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 408,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ZAR 8,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 656,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ZAR 6,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 488,000)
💼 Corporate Tax 28%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 20%.
🏦 Tax System Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 45%.
🧾 VAT 15%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, CFC rules apply.
🏠 Property Tax Calculated based on the property value and varies by municipality.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Transfer duty is based on property value, ranging from 0% to 13%.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads No specific tax incentives for digital nomads but relatively low taxation compared to other regions.

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