Why I love Jozi?

Dec 23, 2010 by Justin McCall    2 Comments    Posted under: General

Photo: JHBLive.co.za

After having lived in Durban for the most part of my life, some 28 years, I made the plunge and moved my tanned Durban ass up to Jozi in April this year after being offered a fantastic job.

After being here for an almost baby-making-9-months, what do I think? How has the move impacted me? Am I having more fun up here? And would I ever move back to Durban?

Well, let’s say that under no circumstances would I ever be able to live in Durban again. I love the fast-pace life that Jozi offers a young career-maker. Durban is far too laid back, things never happen, let alone business actually going anywhere. Unless you actually own your own business, Durban offers little in career-improving facilities.

Bring in Jozi. Things move here. Albeit too quickly, but at the end of the day, things get done. Simple as that. Jozi never sleeps. Really, it never does. Restaurants and entertainment goes on till late. In Durban, most restaurants are closed by the obligatory-Durban-closing-time of 11pm. The only entertainment generally available from then on would be the good old clubbing scene, of which I have far outgrown.

Although, having said that, a quick drive along the buzzing street of 4th Ave, Parkhurst, I am amazed to note how many restaurants actually close over the Christmas season. I pondered this for about 3 seconds and came to the conclusion that most Jozi people around this time of year pack up the family and head to the sea. This pretty much leaves Jozi as a ghost-town! But is this a problem? Hell to the no! It’s like heaven now. Hardly any traffic, the mad rush that is Joburg on an average day now feels like a Sunday morning cruise, there just isn’t anybody around. It’s bliss! I am almost dreading our Christmas day trip to Durbs to meet up with the rest of the Jozi summer migration.

The reality is that Jozi has it all, well most of it anyway. The lifestyle is great, lots to do, lots to eat and loads of gyms everywhere to compensate for the eating. It just makes me feel that Durban still has lots to learn and loads of space to grow. But I think once Durban has realised that there is more to life than simply offering the beach, perhaps it will be become a better tourist and business destination?

I know many would argue this with me, but you all have your reasons and I really appreciate your opinion, but I LOVE JOZI. There, I said it. I love it! And I am so grateful that my awesome girlfriend also has made the move up here, and she agrees with my sentiments.

So before you slate the Jozi scene, try it out without all your pre/misconceptions of Jozi. It really is The New York of South Africa.

Got anything to say? Go ahead and leave a comment!