There’s something unmistakable about the way South Africans experience a city, writes Zoë Erasmus.
Bruno Scramgnon / Pexels
We’re drawn to places with good coffee, a sense of humour, a complicated history, and the kind of lifestyle that makes space for both ambition and slowing down. Whether it’s a familiar climate, shared cultural quirks, or that indefinable vibe, some cities around the world just feel… comfortable.
These are the cities that South Africans tend to settle into easily — places that feel a little like home, even when you’re thousands of kilometres away.
London, United Kingdom
For the accent-switchers and Sunday roast nostalgics
London has long been a second (or third) home for South Africans, and it’s not hard to see why. The multicultural energy, dry humour, and obsession with complaining about the weather feel oddly familiar. There’s also the comfort of community, from South African grocery stores to expat WhatsApp groups and rugby watch parties in pubs.
While the pace is faster and the winters gloomier, London offers a cultural depth that resonates with South Africans who enjoy theatre, history, and political conversation. It’s a city where you can blend in quickly, especially if you’re used to navigating layered identities.
Perth, Australia
For the braai-to-barbecue pipeline
If Cape Town and Durban had a sun-soaked cousin abroad, it would probably be Perth. The climate, beach culture, and emphasis on outdoor living feel instantly recognisable. Swap the braai for a barbecue (or barbie), the bakkie for a ute, and you’re basically there.
South Africans often find Perth’s lifestyle balance appealing: strong work opportunities paired with an outdoorsy, family-friendly culture. There’s less hustle than Sydney or Melbourne, and more space, something many South Africans deeply value.
Toronto, Canada
For the adaptable, big-hearted strivers
Toronto feels like home to South Africans who are used to diversity being the norm. With its mix of cultures, languages, and neighbourhood identities, the city mirrors South Africa’s complexity in a gentler, more orderly way.
There’s also a shared politeness that feels familiar, the kind that coexists with grit. South Africans often appreciate Toronto’s sense of opportunity without the relentless pressure of some global cities. Plus, if you can survive load shedding, you can survive winter (with the right coat).
Amsterdam, Netherlands
For the cyclists and lovers of culture and history
Amsterdam appeals to South Africans who crave freedom, walkability, and a strong social safety net, without losing personality. The city’s directness, progressive politics, and emphasis on work-life balance resonate deeply with those tired of burnout culture.
There’s also something comforting about how history sits visibly alongside modern life. For South Africans who are constantly thinking about memory, legacy, and repair, Amsterdam’s honest engagement with its past can feel grounding rather than alienating.
Auckland, New Zealand
For the nature lovers who still want a city
Auckland often feels familiar to South Africans in ways that are hard to explain but easy to feel. The emphasis on nature, sport, and community echoes home, as does the relaxed but resilient national character.
South Africans tend to appreciate New Zealand’s slower pace and its respect for indigenous culture, something that invites reflection rather than erasure. It’s a city that feels safe without feeling sterile, adventurous without being overwhelming.
Vancouver, Canada
For the outdoorsy introverts
If you love Cape Town for its mountains-meet-ocean magic, Vancouver will feel instantly legible. It’s a city where hiking before work is normal, coffee is taken seriously, and nature is never far away.
South Africans often connect with Vancouver’s emphasis on quality of life and environmental consciousness. While it can feel reserved at first, the shared love of the outdoors becomes a social language of its own.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For the beach-first, resilient-at-heart crowd
Rio feels familiar to South Africans in a way that’s more emotional than practical. The dramatic landscape mountains plunging into the sea, urban life wrapped around nature instantly echoes Cape Town. There’s the same tension between beauty and inequality, joy and frustration, safety and spontaneity.
South Africans often recognise the social codes quickly: warmth, humour, adaptability, and an ability to find celebration even in difficulty. Like home, Rio is a city of extremes, and if you’re used to holding contradiction gently, it doesn’t feel overwhelming, just honest.
Why these cities feel like home
What connects these cities isn’t just climate or language, it’s liveability, diversity, and emotional resonance. South Africans are used to navigating complexity, finding joy amid contradiction, and building community wherever they land.
Home, after all, isn’t always about geography. Sometimes it’s about feeling understood, even when you’re far away.
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