A Student’s Guide to Living in Roodepoort
Roodepoort is a bustling suburb that caters to students seeking a balance of excitement, convenience and quiet. It has a blend of lively-cafés, state of the art gyms and peaceful study spots. It is the kind of place where academic pursuits, leisure and wellness find equilibrium. Whether you are new to the area or just looking to make the best of your student experience, this guide will help you find the best of what Roodepoort has to offer.
Cafés
Coffee is a student’s best friend. It’s a great way to start the day or to help you push through that late night study session. Roodepoort has variety of cafés and coffee shops that are great for meeting up with friends or for group projects/study sessions. Starbucks, Vida e Caffè and Bootlegger are all coffee shops that are nearby and have a great menu selection as well as free Wi-Fi that you can use to get some work done.
Night-out
The Rooftop Bar and Grill is a great spot to hang out and grab some drinks with your friends. They regularly screen live sports including football, rugby, F1 and MotoGP. It has a fun lively atmosphere during the weekends and can get quite busy if you arrive late.
With stunning views of Hendrick Potgieter Road all the way to the hills in the horizon, it offers a beautiful backdrop for sundowners. Food and drink are reasonably priced and is great spot to go to watch a big match or race.
Gyms
Maintaining your physical health is essential. Exercise can provide you with mental clarity, is a good coping mechanism for stress and a great way to meet new people. The benefits cannot be understated. Luckily Roodepoort has several options to offer.
The most popular options would be Virgin Active or Planet Fitness. Both offer student discounts making the membership more affordable. At Featherbrooke Shopping Centre there is also a Missfit Boxing for the ladies who are interested in the sport. For those who are attending IIE MSA (Emeris) there is also a gym on campus where you can get a membership and use the facilities.
Study Spots
Finding a productive place to study is crucial for academic success. This is especially the case during test weeks and exam season. Sometimes, the desk in your room just isn’t cutting it and you need a new place where you can focus. Roodepoort offers several solutions to this problem. There are several cafés where you can set up a workstation as mentioned above. Additionally, there is the Roodepoort public library or the campus library of your institution.
Quiet space
If you are just looking for a quiet space to clear your head, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden and the Kloofendal Nature Reserve are all within reach. They both offer breathtaking views, hiking trails and green spaces where you can get away from the hustle and bustle to give yourself space to think.
How to make Roodepoort work for you
Mix and match your spaces.
If a place becomes too routine, then it can become boring. So, explore what is out there. Use the public library or a quiet café when you need to focus, hit the gym or go for a hike when you need to exercise and visit the weekend markets and botanical gardens when you need to unwind. Variety is the spice of life. It’s great to have a favourite or go-to place but there is no harm in exploring what else is out there.
Think about transport
Roodepoort is widely spread. Not everything will be in walking distance. Depending on where you live, some places like the Botanical Garden or public library might require you to drive or get on some form of transportation. This is not to discourage you form exploring but rather to ensure that you are well prepared when you want to go do something.
Balance your budget and lifestyle
As a once off, none of the aforementioned activities cost much. That being said, the cost of gym memberships and transportation can add up over time. Choose what is important to include in your wellness routine and make sure to include the cost in your monthly budget.
Use your downtime wisely
University shouldn’t be all work no play. It’s good to have fun when you have time to kill. When you don’t have classes over the weekends, in the early mornings and in the evenings, use this time to go to the gym, hit up a quiet café or walk in the park. It’s important to find balance between that which you must do and that which you want to do.
Conclusion
Roodepoort is filled with hidden gems with great food and drink at decent prices. And there are just as many quiet places that you can go to for some tranquillity or to focus on your studies. Living in Roodepoort can work very well for a student especially if you value a quieter more balanced environment rather than the hustle and bustle found in the city centre.
Mentioned here are just a few of the wonderful things that Roodepoort has to offer. Secure yourself a safe and convenient environment with KCI Properties while you navigate your studies. Book a room here.
