Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Knysna is a beautiful coastal town located in the Western Cape province of South Africa, known for its stunning lagoons, extensive forests, and the Knysna Heads.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximately 76,000 residents.
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 20-30 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD β‰ˆ 18 ZAR; local currencies accepted include South African Rand (ZAR). Major banks include Standard Bank and Absa.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable, but it's advisable to drink bottled water.
πŸ”Œ Power 230V, 50Hz, πŸ”Œ Type M sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Major providers include MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C, with good coverage and data options.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats In addition to local banks, services like TransferWise and Revolut are popular among expats.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Various options available, including Airbnb, vacation rentals, and local guesthouses.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in major establishments.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available via Airbnb and local real estate services, prices range from R500 to R2,000 per night.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostel options include The Backpack and Knysna Youth Hostel, prices around R300 per night.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space The Shed, located in the Knysna Waterfront, offers flexible workspaces and high-speed internet.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work The Turbine Hotel & Spa offers a work-friendly atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Various meetups organized by local expat groups through platforms like Meetup.com.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Regular gatherings are held at Knysna's community centers to connect expats and locals.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in Knysna, providing reliable and affordable transportation.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Cycle Knysna offers bike rentals for exploring the area.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Brenton-on-Sea, approximately 15 minutes from Knysna.
✈️ Top Regional Airline SA Airlink provides regional flights to major cities.
✈️ Top International Airline Several international flights connect through George Airport, about 70 km from Knysna.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Connected to the N2 highway, facilitating travel to major cities.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub There is no major train station; however, bus services are available through local operators.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Local public transportation primarily relies on minibus taxis, with fares around R10-30.
✈️ Regional Travel Regular bus services connect Knysna to nearby towns like Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Knysna Provincial Hospital provides emergency and general healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Space Yoga offers various classes and wellness programs.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Knysna Fitness Centre offers well-equipped facilities for various fitness needs.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats available, including The Laundry Room with competitive pricing.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Uber Eats and Mr D Food are popular for food delivery in Knysna.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try the fresh Knysna oysters, a local delicacy.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Leafy Greens serves a variety of fresh vegetarian and vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots The Knysna Pie Shop offers delicious sweet and savory pies.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Knysna's Saturday market offers local produce and artisanal goods.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Local e-commerce sites include Takealot and Loot.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Checkers and Pick n Pay offer grocery delivery options.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Knysna Waterfront area features a vibrant nightlife with bars and live music.
🍻 Local Brewery Knysna Brewing Company offers local craft beers and brewery tours.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Bar at The Turbine offers an extensive selection of local wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Stalls at the Knysna Waterfront offer a variety of street food options.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Restaurants like Thai Eatery and Sirocco offer international dining experiences.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Knysna Heads and the Knysna Lagoon are essential attractions.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues The Knysna Fine Art Gallery features local and international art.
🏰 Historical Sites Oldest timber building, Knysna's Millwood House.
πŸ• Religious Sites St. George's Anglican Church is an important local landmark.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events Knysna Oyster Festival occurs annually in July.
🎨 Cultural Districts Thesen Island showcases local shops, eateries, and galleries.
🎭 Theater Venues The Playhouse provides a platform for local performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Knysna Saturday Market offers local produce and crafts.
🎼 Music Scene Regular live music events are held at various venues, including The Turbine Hotel.
🎨 Street Art Various murals can be found around the town, reflecting local culture.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes The Olive Shed offers local cooking classes focusing on South African cuisine.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries The Knysna Art Gallery showcases works of local artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The old train station is a well-preserved historic site.
🏴 Local Heritage Knysna has a rich heritage related to the timber industry and indigenous cultures.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes The Knysna National Park offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Garden Route National Park is accessible within an hour.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The Knysna Lagoon Cycle Route is popular among cyclists.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The viewpoint at the Knysna Heads is breathtaking.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Birdwatching is excellent at the Knysna Lagoon and surrounding areas.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated bonfire areas are available at certain beaches like Buffalo Bay.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service Courier services like PostNet and The Courier Guy operate in Knysna.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local tech services like Cellphone Repairs and iFix provide device repair.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots The Knysna Sports Club has table tennis facilities available.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes Language classes available at The Language School Knysna.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots The Knysna Library provides study spaces and resources.
🏘️ Community Centers The Knysna Community Centre offers various programs and activities.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges No specific gaming lounges, but local cafes often have gaming events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The Garden Route Casino is located in nearby Mossel Bay.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. R15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R600,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. R12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R480,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. R14,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R840,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. R11,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R690,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. R13,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R1,040,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. R10,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R840,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 28% for corporations.
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 20% on dividend distributions.
🏦 Tax System South African tax system is residency-based.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket 45% for high earners.
🧾 VAT 15% standard Value Added Tax rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, there are CFC regulations that may affect expatriates.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax based on municipal valuations.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 7% transfer duty applies on property purchases.