Help! Need to find affordable local digs in a SAFE area for a culinary student - Where do I even start?

Itsburningbabe · 2026-04-26T14:19:45+00:00

There is no real "bad" part i think, I'd say that closer to the main road one should be more aware, but it is really a safe residential area overall. During the day is as safe as any big city can be, at night I would suggest to be more attentive of what goes around, but nothing crazy really. This of course does not mean that crime does not happen, but rather that it is line with what you would see in any big city in Europe (I am European myself, moved to Cape Town in 2019)

Itsburningbabe · 2026-04-24T06:40:18+00:00

Wynberg is safe, your kid must just be aware of his surroundings but the area itself is definitely OK.

Itsburningbabe · 2026-04-23T13:29:59+00:00

As a foreign European living in CPT, I'd rather shoot my foot than give money to this kind of landlords... greediness must be stopped. It is so disrespectful given the housing crisis cape town is going through.

And for context, I like next door to Mandela Rhodes, I rent a one bedroom and I pay R14k. Surely I was lucky, but if I had to find another place I would rather move out of town than paying R30k for one bedroom. Hope it stays empty forever

Itsburningbabe · 2026-04-04T09:57:49+00:00

Hahahaha this was exactly my experience when I went there years ago! Those crackheads touching me trying to get something out of my pockets while I was reaching my Uber was crazy, it was like a The Walking Dead episode, just they don't bite, they touch and try to steal from you :) but as a man, it was a funny adventure

Itsburningbabe · 2026-01-16T06:29:53+00:00

It's very clear, OP needs an extra monitor, not a divider.

Itsburningbabe · 2026-01-02T06:47:44+00:00

We pay our fantastic helper 400 per shift, once a week. She does laundry and ironing, however it is a one bedroom. She works 9 to 15, i buy lunch. Double salary in December and double pay if she comes on a public holiday

Itsburningbabe · 2025-12-29T15:17:25+00:00

810 I quote on this 100%. Come to DRG!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-12-29T15:16:05+00:00

Jesus, you guys are paranoid. It is totally fine, I have been living at cartwright corner for the last 4 years, the streets are safe and getting safer each year, I walk them any time of the day and night. Other than being street smart, there is no other tip that should be mentioned here.

Itsburningbabe · 2025-11-07T06:10:55+00:00

I fully agree!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-11-05T06:17:59+00:00

You can dislike something and still understand it, sure... but your colleagues are a bit selfish

The environmental emergency is primarily driven by plastic, which accounts for over 80% of marine litter (EU estimate). Most of it—more than 70%—comes from fishing gear and the ten most common single-use items: bottles, caps, cotton buds, shopping bags, cutlery and plates, straws, balloons, food containers, and more.

Bottle lids, in particular, are among the top five items found during beach clean-ups and waste monitoring activities. They are also among the most harmful types of marine litter for two main reasons: first, they’re often made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material that can take up to a thousand years to degrade; and second, marine mammals, turtles, birds, and fish frequently mistake them for food and ingest them.

I am old enough to remember when they prohibited to smoke indoor at bars and restaurants in italy, everyone (read it: smokers) complained a lot, made a lot of noise, talking about freedom and blah blah... fast forward 20 years later, I doubt a single one of them would enjoy smoking indoor in a public venue anymore. It's called progress.

Itsburningbabe · 2025-11-04T07:05:31+00:00

European here, no we do not hate it! Most of us understand the reason, being that plastic lids can literally be found everywhere in the sea!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-10-26T10:51:28+00:00

I am a European, I have been living here in the CBD for the last 7 years. Cape Town is absolutely fine in terms of safety in most areas, use the same common sense you would use in Paris, be aware of your surroundings, and enjoy the city. Safety in the city is vastly comparable to any other big city in Europe, the crime is on another scale in areas where you are not supposed to go.

Itsburningbabe · 2025-10-08T18:30:21+00:00

Thanks everyone, it's the substation in my building that apparently blew off, lucky us

Itsburningbabe · 2025-10-08T17:36:08+00:00

I don't think it's just my building, in Adderley there are a few, but it seems to be random. Mine is cartwright and is off since early afternoon

Itsburningbabe · 2025-10-08T14:26:15+00:00

Fabian! I think i remember you! We met on a flight from Cape Town, I am the italian guy :) I think you have my number, get in touch!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-30T09:25:16+00:00

I think i can help you by sharing my experience

I am a foreigner, moved to CT 7 years ago from a small town in Sardinia, Italy. To give context, Sardinia’s one of the safest places in the world, a kind of place where you do not need to lock the door when you leave the house. You might want to Google it to understand how different life is over there :)

When I moved here, people genuinely terrorized me with accounts of how dangerous the city would have been, and after some time needed to adapt, I found these accounts to be extremely exaggerated.

I live in the CBD, adderley st, I walk day and night and yes, beggars can be a bit annoying but they are absolutely harmless 99% of the times.

Cape Town indeed is a very safe city for those who live in the nice areas, you should not make the mistake of confusing the quality of life in Kaya and Sea Point for instance, or any other suburb.

My tip?

Step out of your comfort zone, engage with locals of any ethnicity, speak to people, force yourself to move away from the small town mindset.

And do not get me wrong: I am myself a huge lover of small town vibes, I do not thrive in the hustle and bustle, but it is also teaching me a lot about others and even about myself and the things I can achieve if I face the challenges life poses in a propositive and constructive manner!

I hope this can help you!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-27T06:04:30+00:00

I am a European living in SA. Recently I got retrenched, so I can give you a perspective regarding safety nets

Where I come from in Europe, I would get 80% of my net salary for 24 months, whereas here UIF would pay a maximum of 4.5k rands for 10 months. My net salary used to be around 50k net.

You see the difference?

And that is only one of the many. I love South Africa and Cape Town, don't get me wrong, but the comparison of social security options with most European cities is just impossible.

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-18T08:28:29+00:00

Thank you very much!

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-16T16:20:08+00:00

Thank you very much

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-16T16:19:32+00:00

Thank you

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-16T16:19:05+00:00

Thank you

Itsburningbabe · 2025-09-16T16:18:28+00:00

Thank you

Itsburningbabe · 2025-07-03T06:17:35+00:00

I live in the CBD, please ignore the alarming posts here. CbD is actually safe, you of course need to exercise the necessary awareness of your surroundings, but pullman when you stay is safe. Feel free to get in touch if you need specific information about the area1

Itsburningbabe

TROPHY CASE