º£½ÇÂÒÂ×

Hello Emilio,

Where are you from?

Sandton is not the "city center". Johannesburg CBD is the city center but it's not as safe as Sandton. You can walk along Sandton area during day, it not dangerous, but walking in Johannesburg is not common for southafricans.

Craft markets are all over, specially on weekends. Rosebank roof top on Sundays, Bruma, Hilfox... I highly recommend Rosebank Roof market, easy to locate and plenty of ethnic and handmade stuff. If you want something even cheaper you can go to Hartebeersport Dam, where there's a market called Chamaelon.

hi Emilio

Sandton is fine, but do take care when you walk outside of the mall.  do not venture into the city of joburg at night - it is not safe to do so.  during the day, sandton should be fine to walk outside of the mall.  where are you from?

regards

Hi. I lived 5 years in Sandton. Thank God, nothing bad was happened. It is, a very nice place to live and shop. ThereÂ’s nothing else to say about the crime in South Africa that itÂ’s all depends on you: how you behave and you wear. Your life style attracts them (criminals). DonÂ’t show off. ItÂ’s not a problem to walk around outside the mall. During the night, itÂ’s a bit precautious but donÂ’t worry too much as many securities are there. Sandton is now much safer than 5 years ago. ThereÂ’s even big station of Gautrain to go directly to the airport. Down town is not a safe place, especially if youÂ’re not familiar with the roads there. Get GPS, rather than to stop for asking directions. Never 100% believe to house keeper, gardener, etc. I always kept all doorÂ’s keys when my helper was working. She also didn't work on the same day with the gardener. If possible, the gardener/s shouldnÂ’t know each other with the house keeper. ThatÂ’s what I did.... I was very happy and have been dreaming to go back there. Same with my children, they keep saying about the paradise, South Africa. Take care.

You are most perceptive and absolutely correct - always be cautious when living in SA, but the beauty of this country is worth the effort!

Sandton is not situated in  downtown, you can also go to Monte casino or Sandton convention centre.

Halo... I am an expat living in Sandton since last 2 months and i had same confusion about security concerns but i feel Sandton is lot safer than other places and i even blogged in my space about living in Sandton... I did this post to help out new comers to Sandton

aravindhindia.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-time-for-africa-living-in-sandton.html - Blog Post on Living in Sandton