South Africa certainly has a number of suitable neighborhoods for remote workers in Cape Town. This city’s natural beauties along the coast and up its mountains are numerous and attractive to the large international community living and working here. Certainly, the city does not have a reputation for being the safest, but it has a number of neighborhoods which are perfect for remote workers and provide all the comforts we can expect from a global and developed city.
As one of the country’s primary financial and political centers, Cape Town is a busy and diverse city, but some of its neighborhoods also reflect the country’s rich cultural history and provide attractive insights into local life for visitors of all types.
Below, we highlight some of the great neighborhoods for remote workers in Cape Town.
As with most places, Cape Town’s CBD is the city’s main central area. Here you can expect to find the city’s main businesses and one of the country’s most important financial and political hubs. This concrete jungle is vibrant, dynamic and multicultural, providing you with a snapshot of everything Cape Town has to offer. For remote workers, this is an excellent neighborhood due to its relative affordability and fantastic transport connections. Additionally, some of the city’s best cafes, restaurants and coworking spaces can be found here. By day, you’ll enjoy the CBD’s endless options in terms of museums, galleries and boutiques; and by night, you can watch a lively nightlife scene pop up. Prices here will be slightly more affordable than in surrounding neighborhoods, but the area may be more dangerous than others during the evenings.
Beyond the main City Bowl area, Sea Point is one of the best neighborhoods for remote workers in Cape Town looking to get away from the loud and busy streets of the city center. Sea Point completely faces the ocean, meaning you are likely to find sublime accommodation options here with ocean views. By far, the area’s most popular attraction is the Sea Point Promenade which stretches all the way from Mouille Point and is excellent for joggers and those looking for a relaxing evening stroll along the ocean. Walk a little inland in Sea Point and you’ll find delicious restaurants and swanky bars, as well as nice cafes to grab some lunch in or get some work done. In general, Sea Point is considered one of the city’s more affluent neighborhoods and certainly provides a safer alternative to those looking to live away from the city center.
Those looking for a midpoint between the relaxing shores of Sea Point and the bustling streets of Cape Town’s CBD will find Green Point to be one of the best neighborhoods for remote workers in Cape Town. This area is green, fresh and safe, providing a welcome refuge from the main central and touristic areas of the city. Inland you’ll find lots of great cafés and upscale restaurants offering local seafood dishes, as well as cool bars and quiet breweries. In Green Point you’ll find the iconic Cape Town stadium and will also be close to the city’s main shopping district at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Costs here will be higher than in other neighborhoods, but you can expect safety and great amenities in this calmer part of the city.
Located close to the ocean, De Waterkant provides an excellent alternative to the leafy neighborhoods of Sea Point and Green Point as a hip and vibrant area close to the city center. Located right between the CBD and Green Point, De Waterkant is a busy neighborhood but its chic boutiques and trendy bars provide an enclave for the city’s young professionals and lots of LGBT families. It is generally considered safe, central, and provides excellent access to some of the city’s best cafes and coworking spaces, making it one of the best neighborhoods for remote workers in Cape Town.
For more information about living in Cape Town as a remote worker, check out our complete Cape Town guide.