A R10,000 per month balcony in Sandton (1) vs Joburg (2)
  • We went apartment hunting with a R10,000-per-month budget.
  • Highly urbanised central districts appealed to us more as a young professional couple.
  • The stark contrast in what we could afford between the Sandton and Johannesburg CBDs was surprising.

Sandton still reigns as Africa's richest square mile featuring luxurious real estate with price tags over R150 million – and that's just for residential properties.

The Metropolis on park is one Sandton's new luxurious high-rise developments with rentals starting from R27,000. (Photos: Metropolis on park)

Before the great commercial migration to Sandton though, the Johannesburg central business district was the continent's leading financial centre, featuring prime real estate from the 19th to 21st centuries.

The Stuttafords high-end department store in the early 1900s on Rissik Street, once dubbed the "Harrods of South Africa". (Photos: Pinterest)/(Johannesburg Heritage Foundation)
The old Stuttafords building has now been converted into what its developers call "New York style" apartments:
As a young professional couple new to the City, a vibrant, socially conscious, diverse, creative, and urban environment was more appealing than living behind high complex walls in suburbia.

See also: Two SA neighbourhoods have just been named among the coolest in the world – beating New York and London

The search for an apartment using the Property24 app (downloaded for free in the App or Play stores) in the R10,000 monthly rent region, preferably in a highly urbanised area like the Sandton or the Joburg CBDs produced surprising current listings and discoveries.

For R10,000 per month, this is what you get in Sandton

A search for a R10,000 P/M apartment in Sandton central on the app. (Property24)

Apartment 1 – R10,000 p/m

(Property24)
The biggest perk is that it comes fully furnished, but is not exactly situated in the heart of the Sandton CBD. It's heavily burglar-barred, and in a high-walled complex.
(Property24)
(Property24)
(Property24)

Apartment 2 – R10,000 p/m

(Property24)

A very spacious two-bedroom apartment that comes with a spare room that can be used as a study. One bedroom offers lush views of trees. The kitchen could do with new appliances. Although its in a complex, its a short walking distance from the Sandton CBD.

(Property24)
(Property24)
(Property24)

Apartment 3 – R10,000 p/m

(Property24)

A spacious two-bedroom that's also conveniently fully-furnished. Also situated in a complex with carport parking and burglar bars all around. The balcony offers a view of the flats adjacent to it.

(Property24)
(Property24)
(Property24)

This is what R10,000 gets you ten kilometres across town, or 8 minutes by Gautrain, in the Johannesburg CBD.

A search for a R10,000 P/M apartment in Johannesburg central on the app. (Property24)

Apartment 1 – R9,900 p/m

(Property24)

The one-bedroom apartment has large windows with vast views of the City and further afield. The kitchen is modern with brand-new appliances like a microwave oven, dishwasher and fridge. The parking is securely underground.

(Property24)
(Property24)
(Property24)

Apartment 2 – R9,900 p/m

(Property24)

The two-bedroom en-suite trendy apartment has a strong industrial finish. It also features latest appliances like the modern gas stove and large windows with views of the City. The bathrooms are spacious and also has six levels of parking, fibre internet connection, and a gym.

(Property24)
(Property24)
(Property24)

Apartment 3 – R8,500 p/m

(Property24)

The one-bedroom apartment is in a heritage building that used be one of Absa's banks. It comes with modern appliances and fixtures. The space is ample, with parquet flooring and views of the City.

Property
(City Central)
(City Central)
(Property24)

The building still retains the grand old bank lobby, which now houses a restaurant, bar, coffee and book shop.

(City Central)
(City Central)
(City Central)