Pretoria, South Africa Report of what it's like to live there - 11/20/25
Personal Experiences from Pretoria, South Africa
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, have lived in a variety of international contexts in Asia and Africa.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
United States - Washington D.C. The trip is long - either a 16+ hour flight through Newark, or with stopovers in London or Frankfurt.
3. What years did you live here?
2024 - 2026
4. How long have you lived here?
1.5 years
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic assignment
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing here is great. Houses are generally 3 - 4 bedrooms with an office, comfortable living space. Some have yards and pools and are separate. Others are in small USG compounds. We have been very happy with our housing. Everything in Pretoria is about 15 minutes away from any location; the overall commuting area is pretty small.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are reasonable and high quality. We spend about $1200 per month for a family of four, shopping at Woolworths. You can get anything here. Meat is very high quality.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None. Sometimes we order kids' snacks that are from the US: peanut butter crackers, granola bars, Kraft Mac & Cheese, etc.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Uber Eats delivers anything here. The South African palate is pretty bland and there isn't much spice or a lot of flavor in most dishes. Even sushi comes with mayonnaise! We have still a few good Asian and Italian restaurants. Steak is usually great.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Diplomatic Pouch through the Embassy. You can ship and order within South Africa - there are local private shipping companies. I think UPS and FedEx can also ship internationally.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
There are a lot of people seeking jobs as household help - full time, live-in, part time. You can find whatever you need. We paid about $500 - $600 for a full time housekeeper. You can also hire gardeners - either individuals or through a company.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Yes, we walk our dog every day in our neighborhood, and there are lots of runners, cyclists, etc. I do not carry my phone when I walk as some people have been robbed.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Virgin Active gyms are all over the country, with several locations in Pretoria. They are $85-$100 per month. There is also Planet Fitness and CrossFit. You can find Yoga studios as well. Virgin Active has classes, and a pool.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, this is almost a card-only society. People do not want to carry cash due to the risk of robbery. There are ATMs widely available.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Everything is in English.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There are a lot of sidewalks here. Malls have escalators and elevators.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. You can take Uber or a car service, but not local buses. You can take the Gautrain between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Many people have a small commuter car and a larger 'safari' car for road trips. There are lot of old Land Rovers that people buy and fix up to take back to the US.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, there are options, although the internet is less reliable than you would think. It takes about two weeks to install and costs about $100 per month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
It is very easy to set up a local Vodacom plan. We bought our teenager a used iPhone at the Apple resale store.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, many South Africans have dogs and cats and there are great vets and boarding kennels here. It is very complicated to import dogs, but not impossible. We brought our dog from Nepal and it was very difficult to sort out the required blood tests. There is a mandatory quarantine period on arrival. Coordinate closely with your importing Vet and with the GSO and it will work out. There are also animal rescues here for those seeking to adopt in-country.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
There are some jobs at the Embassy. The development community collapsed with the closure of USAID.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There seem to be some, but most are affiliated with religious organizations.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual, unless you have government meetings, in which case dress should be formal. South Africans are relatively casual, but do dress up to go out to lunch/brunch/dinner.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes, you need to be mindful of personal safety at all times. Your house will be walled with an electric fence, and the guards stop by our gate every 1-2 hours. Be mindful in the car of potential carjacking or smash and grabs. Bring something like "the Club" to secure your car in public lots. However, we have not had any issues personally during our time here and we feel safe in our neighborhood.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No, this is a regional Medevac destination. All medical care is available locally and we generally use the local medical system rather than the Embassy Health Unit. Dentists, eye doctors, primary care, women's health, are all available here at very reasonable prices.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Generally good, sometimes smoggy in the SA winter months (June-July-August). It is beautiful from November to May. This is a really fantastic climate to live in.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
You may have seasonal allergies, especially in the SA springtime - October/November.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
No.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Beautiful! Lovely from Oct/Nov through May. Cold and a little smoggy from June - August. The jacaranda trees bloom in October and the whole city is purple.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are several school options available. Many kids go to the American International School of Johannesburg. The Pretoria campus covers pre-K to 8th grade, and all those in Pretoria in those grades are supposed to go to the Pretoria campus. There are some exceptions for special needs kids who can be better accommodated at the larger Johannesburg campus.
The Johannesburg campus is much larger, has boarding facilities, and a highschool. All kids in grades 9 - 12 go to Johannesburg. The commute from Pretoria to Johannesburg is about 40 - 50 minutes, and the buses leave early. The Joburg campus has more to offer, but our kids have been happy with the smaller Pretoria school. Other options include Crawford International School, St. Mary's (girls only Catholic school) and I think there is a French school as well.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
AISJ has intentionally become more accommodating, and seems to be doing a very good job opening both campuses to kids with special needs. They have occupational and other therapy on-site through a private provider at the Pretoria Campus.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, there are a lot of preschools available in Pretoria.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, there are sports opportunities, both through the school and in local leagues. There is a very competitive swimming league, Rugby, soccer, track and field, martial arts. I think you can find almost anything here (except baseball or American football).
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Most Americans seem to be with the Embassy. There were more, but many left with the closure of USAID and folding of partner organizations and projects.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Lots to do on the weekends, especially if you want to travel. There are a lot of hiking destinations within an hour or so of Pretoria. Kruger Park is 4-5 hours away and there are other closer game parks. Weekend trips to Clarens, Dullstroom, the Drakensburg mountains. Long weekend flights to Cape Town and the beaches or to Durban. Wine tasting in Pretoria or Cape Town. Weekend markets in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Hunting on game reserves. There are lots of things to do here!
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think Johannesburg has more nightlife and is better for single people. Pretoria is a huge suburb, with very little city area. It is like the sprawl of Northern Virginia. There are a lot of malls and shopping centers, many with the exact same stores. It is suburbia, but with safari and hiking options on the weekends.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Our Afrikaaner neighbors are very kind and have been very welcoming. I am often spoken to in Afrikaans and have not experienced prejudice. I'm not sure how others in the community find it. The Embassy staff is diverse, but there are tensions between different groups of staff members, based on the history of apartheid and discrimination in South Africa.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I think it would be fine and there have been many LGBT diplomats assigned to Pretoria. There is a PRIDE festival in Johannesburg, which the Embassy used to support.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
It is shocking to see the blatant inequality here: people driving Porches and Maseratis living very close to township communities where people live in shacks with tin roofs and no running water. No one in Pretoria seems to think that is strange. There is a lot of conspicuous consumption in Pretoria, and a huge divide between the haves and the have-nots.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Trips to Kruger Park, to the Drakensburg, and to the beaches outside of Cape Town have been wonderful. Definitely visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to learn about South Africa's history and understand how people relate to one another, and take your kids.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Clarens is a great short trip from Pretoria and the Drakensburg mountains are amazing. Check out the Africamps for fun weekend glamping spots all around the country. Our kids loved dressing up for ComiCon Africa in late September in Johannesburg.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are weekend markets in Pretoria and Johannesburg, with arts and crafts, paintings, beadwork.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Very easy to get around, you can buy anything you need, great grocery stores.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How suburban Pretoria is, and that you can really get anything here. I wish I had known more about the history of Afrikaaners in South Africa. Pretoria is much less of a multicultural city than Johannesburg and it is dominated by the Afrikaaner sub-culture.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, but I wouldn't come back for a second tour.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
snow gear.
4. But don't forget your:
hiking boots and binoculars for birding and safaris.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Trevor Noah's book, Born a Crime, is great. The Promise by Damon Galgut. The Covenant by Michener (although parts of it have not aged well).
