Remote Office in Cape Town
Working remotely enables a more flexible schedule, which in turn initiates focused work. New spaces, destinations and people inspire fresh ideas and spark creativity.
It is also a sustainable way (yes, we carbon offset our flights, and made a point to fly direct even though it was more expensive) to travel and explore a new city – spending as much time as possible there and immersing ourselves in the culture.
So, we spent the entire month of February 2020 working remotely from Cape Town, South Africa.
It was a decision we made nearly a year ago to escape the slightly depressing winter in Munich, where our main office is based. The one-hour time difference between Munich and Cape Town was another selling point.
We knew we’d love our time there, but we didn’t realize just how much we would fall in love with the city’s vibe. Here are a few of our tips for working abroad in general, with specific examples listed for Cape Town.
Rent an office space.
Not only is this a great way to meet new people, it also helps you separate your private life from your work. Working remotely can be difficult with many distractions and the constant desire to explore the city you’re in. By allocating set working hours at a dedicated desk space, you are making it easier for yourself to focus.
Our tip: Tiny Empire in CBD – it comes with a Jason’s Bakery!
Inform yourself about modes of transport.
If there is one thing we heard over and over again before arriving it Cape Town it was, “Don’t walk”! If we could give advice, it would be “Don’t walk at night.” And be aware of your surroundings – just like in any big city. Cape Town’s public transport system is not worth recommending, so be sure to use local transport apps to get around.
Our tip: Download Uber and Bolt.
Consider credit card fees and currency exchange rates.
A lot of credit card companies offer you not-so-great currency exchange rates, and charge extra for spending in a different currency abroad. German banks especially, are quite behind on digitalization, and you often only see your credit card statement at the end of the month, rather than in the moment of the transaction.
Avoid high fees, bad exchange rates, and losing oversight of your spending by getting a more digitally friendly credit card that does not punish you for spending abroad.
Our tip: Get a Revolut credit card, if you don’t have one already.
Schedule workouts.
Another great way to meet people. And to ensure you stick to a routine – even when abroad. There’s no doubt about it, you simply feel better after working out. Releasing stress and tension will also help you focus on work more efficiently.
Our tip: Train with Blessing in Sea Point (and grab a red cappuccino and the world’s best croissant at Coco Safar afterwards ;)).
Use your lunch break to explore.
Give yourself an hour lunch break a day, and use the time to explore the surrounding area. Book a lunch date at a fancy restaurant or check out a museum nearby.
Our tip: Lunch menu at Belly of the Beast or Fyn.
Start your days early.
Start your days early, so you can finish your working days earlier. This way you’ll have time to explore the city you’re in late in the afternoon and all evening.
Some of our favorite things to do in Cape Town included:
- Hiking up Lion’s Head for sunrise
- Grabbing breakfast at Oranjezicht Market on the weekends
- Shopping at AKJP Studio on Long Street
- Supporting local NGO Uthando and visiting KASI RC Khayelitsha
- Discovering new locations on First Thursdays
- Sundowners at Clifton, Llandudno and Glen Beach
- Snacking on something sweet at Moro Gelato
- Dancing to Blaqkongo’s DJ sets across the city
If you have any specific questions – either about doing remote office, or traveling to Cape Town, just send us an email. We always love to chat!