Living in Cape Town as a Digital Nomad Family: Our Story & Tips

Last Updated on December 2, 2025

We’ve recently moved to South Africa from Mexico, and I’m here to share our experience and personal tips on moving to Cape Town.

Since I met my husband in 2005, we’ve built a life on the move. Both of us work remotely – him as a software engineer and me as a travel writer – and we’ve lived in many parts of the world, including Singapore, US, UK, Netherlands, Bali, Spain, and Mexico.  As a digital nomad family, we set up temporary home bases in each country and travel from there. We want to show our daughter the world and teach her lessons that she can’t learn from textbooks, while having a community and work-life balance.

Just four months ago, we felt it was time for another change, and moved our home base to Cape Town, South Africa. I’d traveled here several times before having kids, and this is one of my favorite cities in the world. As a family, we wanted our next home base to be in a city surrounded by nature, family-friendly amenities and a solid community of worldschoolers. And Cape Town ticked all those boxes!

Here in the tip of South Africa, you’ve got dramatic mountains crashing into two oceans, incredible landscapes sprinkled with wildlife, vibrant and diverse cultures, and a creative energy that’s impossible to ignore. Of course, there are real challenges here too, from the visible inequality to a reputation for crime that you have to take seriously. But for us, the magic far outweighs the difficulties. Here’s a closer look at why we chose the Mother City (and my tips on how you can make the move too).

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Why We Chose Cape Town

An Outdoorsy Lifestyle

While living in Mexico, we missed having mountains and hiking trails nearby. We wanted our daughter to grow up climbing mountains, not just in indoor climbing halls. In Cape Town, you don’t have to drive to the mountains – it’s literally in our backyard. The city is built around the dramatic Table Mountain and Twelve Apostles, and there are trails within walking distance from us. 

Since we live right by the beach in Sea Point, we lead an active lifestyle, walking everyday on the promenade and exercising in the park. We often catch sunset on the beach or explore rock pools or playgrounds in the afternoons. For fitness, I do spinning classes on some mornings and yoga on the beach once a week. On weekends, we love hiking Lion’s Head or Kloof Corner, going on road trips to nearby towns, and meeting friends on the beach. The water in the Atlantic Ocean is freezing regardless of the time of the year – but that doesn’t stop my kid from taking a dip! 

Even the world-famous wine farms in Constantia, Stellenbosch and Paarl are surprisingly kid-friendly, with sprawling lawns and playgrounds where our daughter can run free while we enjoy a glass of Chenin Blanc. Wine tasting is also really affordable here – we usually pay R100 or R200 (US$5-10) to taste 4-5 types of wine.

No Shortage of Worldschooling Activities

Cape Town is a big city but it doesn’t feel like one – with tons of fun-filled museums, playgrounds, jungle gyms, green parks and wineries with play areas. There are so many places to discover and so much to learn from each of them: from having ex-prisoners as guides on Robben Island to hearing stories about the apartheid at the District Six Museum to wandering the Cape Malay district of Bo Kaap, visiting seeing local marine life at the aquarium and the quirky Museum of Dogs.

Since we currently homeschool Kaleya, we spend our mornings doing online classes and afternoons exploring and doing all kinds of activities. On some days, we go rock climbing at City Rock, others we go swimming at the Sea Point pool. Kaleya often does forest school at Deer Park, marine biology classes at Mouille Point and woodworking workshops at Silvermist Academy.

Proximity to Wildlife Reserves

Where else in the world can you see wild rhinos, ostriches and zebras in the morning, then go whale watching in the afternoon and then have a gourmet meal at night? Cape Town is blessed with plenty of private game reserves and national parks within a 2-hour drive. Our weekend trips now involve staying at safari lodges, going on game drives, having braai (South African barbecue) in the evenings and sleeping under the starry skies – it’s just amazing! 

Yes, most reserves and national parks in the Cape don’t have big predators, they mostly have antelopes and zebras  – you’ve got to go to the northern part of South Africa for the best wildlife reserves. But we’re still grateful to have wildlife reserves so easily within reach, plus Kruger and other national parks are just a short flight away. Search for flights here.

Perfect for Digital Nomads 

As a digital nomad family, we love our work setup here. The fiber internet is fast and reliable, and we usually work from home (we made sure to get an apartment with work space!). But the city is packed with laptop-friendly cafes and co-working spaces, so we sometimes work from cafes in Sea Point and Green Point. 

My daughter loves doing online school from cafes – with a good matcha and yummy brunch to keep her going for hours. And the best part? Nobody gives us the side-eye for camping out with a laptop; it feels like a part of the culture here.

A Welcoming Expat Community

We love living in a multicultural environment, and Cape Town is a true melting pot. Since moving here, we’ve connected with so many like-minded worldschoolers — nomadic families who are also here for an extended period of time either working remotely or traveling full-time. There’s a shared mindset of wanting to live a more balanced, adventurous life, which makes for instant connections. We’ve found connections mainly through Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

Easy Transition with English

While we always make an effort to learn local languages, the fact that English is the first language for many in Cape Town made the transition seamless. From navigating school admissions and just chatting with people at the grocery store, it’s been really easy to adjust to life here. We’ve been living in Spanish-speaking countries for so long that it feels almost strange to be back in the English-speaking world again!

International Schools

There’s a huge range of private schools here in Cape Town – from properly accredited IB schools to French schools and alternative options like the Green School and Walford schools. However, most  international schools require a study visa, so make sure you apply for it in your home country before moving here.

For our first three months here, we sent our daughter to the International School of Cape Town, a proper accredited school that follows the British curriculum. The school is highly competitive and moves at a fast pace – quite a contrast from the laidback schools Kaleya used to go to in Mexico. She had no problems keeping up, but she would come home exhausted and not really interested in doing anything.

We felt that it was going against our idea of worldschooling and so decided to start homeschooling since we got back from Madagascar. We’re currently using Maevious, an online UK school system with live video classes and interactive lessons. It’s been going great and she loves having the freedom and flexibility to learn at her own pace. We enjoy slow mornings, being active in the afternoon and doing all kinds of sports and activities after class.

Affordability

Compared to Europe (where we lived the longest), Cape Town offers a lower cost of living and an amazing value for money. The standard of living is relatively high here and yet prices are very reasonable. Living here allows us to afford a lifestyle — living by the beach, doing lots of activities, eating out often — that would have been a serious stretch back home.

To give you a concrete idea, here’s a rough breakdown of what things cost.

(Note: Prices are approximate and these are just what WE spend – which can be different to what other people’s expenses. US$1 is about 18 South African Rand).

• Apartment Rental –  We’re renting a 2-bedroom apartment in Sea Point for R30,000 (US$1,500/month) steps from the beach, restaurants and shops. Many expats I know live in Constantia, Steenberg or Camps Bay and pay R60,000 (US$3,000/month) for big houses.

• Transport – Public transport isn’t the best in Cape Town. We hired a car from Hertz for US$350/month (cheaper than renting from a local car agency) and it’s a convenient to get around the city and take day trips. Driving in Cape Town is relatively straightforward, roads are in good condition and drivers are actually really laidback and polite (just watch out for the minivan taxis!). Search for car rentals in Cape Town here!

• Restaurants –  Dining out in Cape Town offers amazing value. You can have a nice brunch (avo toast type) for R100-200 (US$5-10) per person and a casual dinner of Japanese ramen or pizza for R200-500 ($10-25) per person. A world-class fine dining experience can still be half the price of what you’d pay in Europe or the US.

• Coffee – A flat white or cappuccino at a trendy café costs around R40-60 ($2-3). It’s easy to get good coffee everywhere in Cape Town, there are even coffee trucks on the beach.

• Groceries – Our weekly grocery bill for a family of three is roughly R1400-2000 (US$70-100). This includes lots of fresh produce, quality meat, fruit, snacks and wine. Our favorite supermarket is Checkers; Pick ‘n Pay is cheaper while Woolworths is higher end. They’re all literally in every corner. 

• Internet: A high-speed fiber optic connection costs about R1000 (US$50)/month.

• Private School: This is a major expense. International school fees are approximately US$600/month and that’s not including the registration cost, cost of school uniform and materials.

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The Realities & Concerns of Living in Cape Town

The Safety Conversation

Before we moved, everyone asked us if we weren’t worried about safety issues. The truth is, you can’t be naive about safety in South Africa. It is a real source of concern, as the country has some of the highest homicide rates in the world. However, it is very location specific. 

We live in the Atlantic Seaboard, centrally located and walking distance from parks and promenade, and feel very safe. You definitely learn to be more vigilant, however. You have to be aware that there is a lot of petty crime on the streets, related to the high levels of poverty and unemployment. This means not leaving anything visible in your car, not walking alone at night and avoiding certain areas.

We mostly avoid the Cape Flats, which include townships like Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and Mitchells Plain, which grapple with very high levels of poverty and crime. While they are culturally significant parts of the city, they are not considered safe to visit. I listen to the radio news often and hear about shootings and murders in the Cape Flats happening almost everyday.

Confronting the Inequality

You cannot live in Cape Town and ignore the massive divide between the rich and poor. Many people live in poverty and there are high levels of crime in certain areas. Pockets of racial tension still exist too, after the country’s apartheid past.

Driving from leafy suburbs with multi-million dollar homes past sprawling informal settlements (townships) just minutes later is a jarring experience. It’s confronting and, honestly, heartbreaking at times. But it’s also opened up some incredibly important conversations with our daughter about privilege, history, and the complex realities of the world we live in.

Leaving Our Furry Family Member Behind

One of the hardest parts of this move was having to leave our dog behind with family. When we were in the process of moving here, we learned that South Africa has some of the strictest animal import regulations in the world. We would have had to get an export agent in Mexico, an import agent in South Africa, and our dog would have had to be quarantined for weeks.

I’ve heard of people who successfully brought their dog here from Mexico, but it was a logistical nightmare of blood tests, quarantine, and specialized transport that ended up costing them almost US$10,000! For us, it just wasn’t feasible, and we had to leave Brownie with my in-laws in Spain. It was a tough decision and something potential pet-owning nomads need to research thoroughly from the start.

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How to Move to Cape Town

If you’re thinking of making the leap, here’s everything I’ve learned from our own process.

1. Get Your Visa Sorted

Most nationalities including EU, US and Singapore citizens do not need a visa to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa extension at the VFS office less than 30 days after you arrive in South Africa. They only give an extension of max. 90 days, which means you can stay for 6 months in total.

The good news is that South Africa recently launched a Digital Nomad Visa, which is a total game-changer. It allows you to live in the country for three years as long as you can prove a minimum income from foreign sources. Once that’s approved, then you can apply for a spouse visa and study visa for your child too (which is necessary if your kid is going to school here).

You have to apply for this before you arrive, at a South African embassy in your home country or country of residence. Be prepared for a bit of bureaucracy and start the process at least a few months before you plan to move.

Eligibility and requirements

• Remote employment: You must be employed by a company or have clients based outside of South Africa. You cannot work for South African companies. 
• Minimum income: You must have a minimum gross annual income of ZAR 650,976 (approximately $36,200 USD) from your foreign employer or clients. 
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank pages. 
• Health insurance: You must have valid private health insurance for your stay. 
• Criminal record: A clean criminal record is mandatory. 
• Application: You need to make an appointment at a South Africa embassy or consulate in your home country and submit all the papers in person. Processing times are typically 6–8 weeks

2. Find a Place to Live

For our first three months here, we got extremely lucky and found a worldschooling family who were going traveling and rented their home to us. We paid R30,000 (US$1,500)/month for a 4-bedroom house with its own pool, playground and trampoline in the leafy neighborhood of Pinelands just a 15-minute drive from town – an amazing deal! We really enjoyed living in the area, with friendly neighbors and calm and peaceful surroundings.

Currently, we’re in a 2-bedroom apartment at Sea Point, just steps from the beach and promenade, restaurants, shops and cafes. We love it even more than living in Pinelands – we can walk everywhere, it’s super lively and we go to parks/restaurants often. We found the apartment on Property24, had to provide proof of income and references, pay a deposit (2 months’ rent), sign a 6-month lease, and we were in!

Here are some of the best family-friendly neighborhoods:

• Atlantic Seaboard (Sea Point, Camps Bay, Green Point): If you want to live by the ocean and have a buzzy, active lifestyle, this is for you. It’s more expensive but the views and proximity to the promenade and beaches are unbeatable.
• Southern Suburbs (Constantia, Newlands, Claremont): Think leafy streets, big gardens, and a suburban feel. It’s known for having some of the city’s best schools and is generally safe and family-oriented.
• Northern Suburbs (Milnerton, Blouberg, Tableview ): Think excellent value for money, with larger modern homes, spacious gardens, and many secure lifestyle estates. This area is very family-focused with great schools and its own wine route (Durbanville Hills), though you’ll have a longcommute into the city center.
• Hout Bay: This feels like a separate seaside village with a very strong community vibe. It’s nestled in a beautiful valley and has a more laid-back, bohemian feel.

3. Find a School

Cape Town has a huge selection of private and international schools. We were blown away by the options, from schools following the British curriculum to the American International School and German and French schools. Most of the accredited international schools require a study visa, but the alternative schools are usually ok with your kid joining for a term or two without one.

Our daughter enjoyed going to the International School of Cape Town, and I liked how organized the school is and particularly appreciated their effort to build community and get to know parents. It’s an academically competitive school, which I thought suited Kaleya, but I didn’t quite like the excessive strict rules and traditional way of education (more focus on math than creativity). We got to know a few parents, but Kaleya’s friends hardly had any time to socialize outside of school because of their packed schedule.

Most good schools are located in the Constantia/Claremont area, but I personally wouldn’t live there as it’s just too isolated and far from the city center. We really enjoy living in the Atlantic Seaboard area – there are many good schools here, which I’ll list below.

Here are some schools worth checking out:

• International School of Cape Town (Claremont)
• American International School of Cape Town (Constantia)
• French International School (Sea Point)
• German International School (Tamboerskloof)
• Reddam Atlantic Seaboard (Green Point)
• Maara House (Gardens)

4. Get Travel Insurance for the Family

We’ve learned from years on the road that we should never, ever travel without health insurance, especially with a child. I’ve been using Safety Wing for years now, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made as a frequent traveler. Their Nomad Insurance plan is affordable and provides solid coverage for medical emergencies regardless of where I’m traveling. It’s been super reliable for me, and I think you’ll find it just as helpful on your adventures!

The absolute best part for families, though, is their policy on kids: one child under 10 per adult (up to two children per family) can be included on your insurance for free. It’s a huge saving and gives us incredible peace of mind knowing we’re all covered.

5. Rent a Car

Cape Town is a driving city. Public transport isn’t extensive or reliable enough for a family, so a car is a necessity. Even though we can walk around Sea Point, we wanted the freedom to explore the national parks and wine regions on weekends.

Foreigners can buy a car in South Africa, but they must first obtain a traffic register number (TRN) by registering on the eNaTIS system. To get a TRN, you will need proof of your legal status in South Africa, such as a passport, driver’s license, or temporary residence permit, along with other documents like proof of address and photographs. 

Since we don’t know how long we’ll be in Cape Town for, we simply rented one for the next six months. Hertz offered the cheapest option (cheaper than local car rental agencies!). We paid only US$350/month to rent our Suzuki Swift (with automatic transmission). 

Search for car rentals in Cape Town here!

5. Make Friends

Having lived in many different places, we know how important having a community is – for both Kaleya and us. Having great friends around us in Mexico definitely made our time there super special. When we first moved to Cape Town in winter, it wasn’t quite as easy to make friends. But now that summer is here, more  worldschoolers are pouring in and we’re connecting with more and more families.

Here are some of the best ways we’ve connected with people:

• Facebook groups: Expat Mums Cape Town and Worldschoolers are invaluable for advice, tips and social events.
• WhatsApp groups: Once you join the Expat Mums FB group, you’ll find links to the various WhatsApp groups in different parts of Cape Town, as well as groups like breakfast clubs and wine nights.
• School: This is the easiest way to meet other families in the same boat as you.
• Local Clubs: Whether it’s a rock climbing club, gymnastics, or sunset yoga, there are so many activities here you can do to connect with like-minded people.

6. Go Explore!

Once you’re settled in, the real adventure begins. Cape Town is an incredible playground for families, and we’re always finding new spots to discover. These are our current go-to places with our daughter (I’ll keep updating this list as we explore more!):

Green Point Urban Park – Green Point

This is our favorite urban park in Cape Town. Green Point is beautifully designed with waterways, native plants, and separate play areas for toddlers and older kids. It’s a fantastic free activity, and there’s a nice cafe right next to the big playground. We love grabbing a coffee and letting our daughter explore the biodiversity garden.

Camps Bay Tidal Pool

Tucked away at the southern end of the main beach, it’s a gorgeous pool enclosed by giant granite boulders, creating a safe, wave-free area to swim. Don’t get me wrong, the water is still bracingly cold, but on a hot day, it’s refreshing and perfect for kids to splash around safely. Our daughter loves scrambling over the rocks that surround it and playing in the playground next to it!

Sea Point Pavilion Swimming Pool

We live right by the pool and often come here on hot summers. Sea Point Pavilion is a huge public swimming pool complex right on the promenade, overlooking the ocean. There’s an Olympic-sized pool for serious swimmers, but also two shallow splash pools perfect for kids. It’s filled with filtered seawater, so you get that lovely salty feel, but it’s noticeably warmer than the actual ocean and there are no waves to worry about.

Llandudno Beach – Llandudno

This is our absolute favorite beach for a proper family beach day. It’s nestled in a stunning cove and surrounded by giant granite boulders that are perfect for climbing. Llandudno beach feels more wild and natural than the other city beaches, and it’s perfect for picnics and sandcastles. Just remember to pack your own snacks and drinks, as there are no shops here!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

This is hands down the most beautiful botanical gardens we’ve seen. We love it because there are endless lawns for our daughter to run free, little streams to explore, and the incredible “Boomslang” Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway that makes you feel like you’re walking through the treetops. We often just pack a big picnic blanket and spend the whole afternoon here. Make sure to get your entry tickets here ahead of time.

Clay Cafe

For a more creative and chilled-out day, check out the Clay Cafe Hout Bay. You pick a piece of unfired pottery—from mugs to little animal figures—and spend a few hours painting it. They have a huge outdoor seating area and a great playground, so the kids stay entertained while you channel your inner artist. It’s a super relaxing and fun way to spend an afternoon.

Vrymansfontein Wine Farm

This place is a bit of a drive out in the Paarl winelands, but it’s an absolutely stunning winery with huge green spaces. The play area is absolutely massive, with so much for kids to climb and explore. We love the relaxed vibe, panoramic views, yummy wine, and it’s the perfect spot to let our daughter just run wild for a few hours.

The Alpaca Loom

Okay, who doesn’t love alpacas? You can buy a bucket of feed and the alpacas will eat right out of your hands—our daughter was completely mesmerized. There’s also a great little jungle gym and a coffee shop, making it a perfect and surprisingly relaxing morning outing. Read reviews here.

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Our Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants

Cape Town’s food scene is world-class, and we love that we don’t always have to sacrifice a great meal for a kid-friendly environment. While playgrounds are a bonus, we’ve found some incredible spots that welcome families with open arms and offer an experience that even our daughter loves.

• Babylonstoren – Near Paarl/Franschhoek
  This is less of a restaurant and more of an entire day’s destination. While Babel is for more formal dining, we love grabbing a spot at the Greenhouse Restaurant nestled deep in the gardens. The entire place is a playground — we spent hours letting our daughter run through the prickly pear maze, chase the ducks, and explore the endless pathways. Read reviews here.

• Old Biscuit Mill Market – Woodstock
  Cape Town has tons of great food markets — Oranjezicht is the most popular but it gets extremely crowded, we like Old Biscuit Mill better as it’s less busy and offers more interesting variety of food: from Tanzanian classics to Korean snacks and South African staples.
  
• Kloof Street House – Gardens
  This is our pick for a special occasion or an early “fancy” dinner. Sadly kids aren’t allowed in the evenings, but you can bring them here for brunch in their leafy garden. I love the atmosphere here, with leather sofas, vintage decor and old-world vibes. Read reviews here.
  
• Cozco – Sea Point
  Our favorite spot for lunch/dinner after a walk on the Sea Point promenade. This Greek joint has a casual-chic vibe that’s very welcoming, and you see plenty of other families here, so you never feel like your kid is making too much noise. The food is consistently great, and it’s an easy, stylish choice when you’re in the area. Read reviews here.
  
• Addis in Cape – City Centre
  For a dinner that’s also a cultural adventure, Addis in Cape serves excellent Ethiopian food on large platters, and you eat with your hands using delicious injera bread. Our daughter thinks it’s such a fun experience — getting to ditch the cutlery is a huge win! It’s a fun, interactive, and memorable experience for the whole family. Read reviews here.
  

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Stay Tuned for More Cape Town Stories!

That’s our story! I hope this guide has been helpful. Moving to Cape Town has been the best decision for our family, and if you’re looking for an adventure, I can’t recommend it enough. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Here are some other articles I’ve written on South Africa:

• 30 Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
• 2-Week South Africa Itinerary
• Best Safari Parks in Africa
• African Safari with Kids
• Morukuru De Hoop Family Lodge in South Africa
• 2-Week Kenya Itinerary
• Swaziland Travel Guide
• What to Pack for Safari
• The Ultimate Kenya Travel Guide
• The Reality of Being a Digital Nomad

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I’ll get a small commission when you book anything through my links, at NO extra cost to you. I only recommend companies I have personally used and enjoyed.

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