What do people love about Gauteng?

Gauteng is well known as the economic heartland of South Africa - but there's so much more to love about it than just that. For starters, it's home to an array of museums, galleries, cultural icons, theatres, historical sites, shopping malls, live music venues and more. The CSi Property Group looks at the long list of things to love about Gauteng.

What is so special about Gauteng

Historically speaking, the reason that Gauteng became the economic powerhouse of South Africa relates to mining. Huge concentrations of gold were found in the Witwatersrand, together with reserves of platinum, iron ore and uranium.

Things to love about Gauteng

Wherever you live in Gauteng, you're never far from things to do. For example, if you enjoy lifestyle markets, you may spend a portion of your weekend at Rosebank Sunday Market, Fourways Farmers' Market, Bryanston Market or Irene Village Market. If you've got small children, you could treat them to a day out at the iconic Gold Reef City, the Sci-Bono Discovery Museum or one of Gauteng's many parks or nature reserves. If you're into culture and history, you could visit the Cradle of Humankind or the Pretoria Monument. Whether you're a shopaholic, an animal lover or an adventure enthusiast, there is always something to do in Gauteng.

As the economic hub of South Africa, Gauteng is a bustling metropolis where opportunities abound and anything is possible. Many businesses and entrepreneurs choose to make Gauteng their home to capitalise on these opportunities.

The property market in Gauteng

When compared to other provinces like KwaZulu-Natal or the Western Cape, properties in Gauteng can be remarkably affordable. For example, in parts of Akasia, it is possible to rent a two-bedroom home for around R5 000 per month. In Krugersdorp, a two-bedroom apartment can cost as little as R6 800 per month, while in various parts of Centurion, you can get a one or two-bedroom apartment for less than R6 000 per month.

Savings are not exclusively for renters, and those looking to buy property in parts of Gauteng like Montana Pretoria, Douglasdale and Kempton Park can find one or two-bedroom units at prices lower than R700 000.

5 reasons to love Gauteng

1.  It's a melting pot of cuisines and restaurants

No matter what type of restaurant you're looking for, you'll find it in Gauteng. If you're in the mood for traditional African cuisine, you can find it at Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant. If it's Greek food you're looking for, you can head to As Greek as it Gets in Menlo Park. If you're looking for some Eastern food to tantalise your taste buds, you can find it at one of the branches of Momo Baohaus - and that's just a few examples of the smorgasbord of cuisine that Gauteng has to offer.

2.  It's a province where you can shop 'til you drop

Johannesburg is home to Sandton City, which is arguably the most sophisticated and upmarket mall in Africa. A wide array of malls dotted across Johannesburg and its neighbour Pretoria mean that convenience and shopping sprees are close to home for all residents of Gauteng.

3.  The climate is second to none

According to many Gauteng residents, the province's climate is among the best in the world. With warm, wind-free summer days, moderate year-round temperatures and clear, rain-free winter days, there's never a bad time to be outdoors.

4.  The abundance of green spaces

Johannesburg and Pretoria may be cosmopolitan cities, but they cannot be called concrete jungles. The province is home to a range of parks, botanical gardens, nature reserves and hiking trails.

5.  Sophisticated transportation

Not only does Gauteng have a sophisticated network of freeways that link every part of the province, but it also has the Gautrain. This state-of-the-art rail network links O. R. Tambo International Airport to Pretoria and Sandton, as well as other parts of the province.

In summary, there are a lot of reasons to love Gauteng and to make it your home. If you're looking for property to buy or rent in South Africa's heartland, get in touch with the CSi Properties team today.