Is Ruimsig a Good Area for Students? Pros and Cons

Choosing the right area to live in as a student can have a significant impact on your university experience. Ruimsig is in the West Rand of Johannesburg and is a place worth considering. This is particularly the case if you are a student at IIE MSA (Emeris Ruimsig).   

The decision of where you live during your university years is completely yours. We can’t choose for you, but we can help you make an informed decision. This is a short pros and cons list of what Ruimsig has to offer. 

Pros of Living in Ruimsig for students: 

•  Proximity to campus – Ruimsig is home to IIE MSA (Emeris Ruimsig) and is 10 minutes away from the UNISA Florida Campus. This means that less time and money is spent commuting. Leaving more time for studying and socialising.
• Quiet suburban area – Ruimsig is a peaceful place. With leafy streets and relatively low noise levels.  This makes it the ideal place for focused study and relaxation.
• Access to amenities – Ruimsig boasts several shopping centres, restaurants and cafes providing students with many options for grocery shopping, dining out, café study sessions and relaxation.
• Green spaces – In Ruimsig you will find the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden and there are several parks that are open to the public. These provide great spots for hiking, picnics, jogging or just unwinding after a stressful week.
• Public transport access – There are several links to public transport within Ruimsig. Now while the options are not as extensive as those found in Johannesburg CBD, it is still relatively easy to gain access to transport.

Safety and Security  

Ruimsig is considered as one of the safer areas in comparison to many inner-city suburbs. When looking around you’ll find that many of the estates and complexes in the area have controlled access at the gates and electric fencing. This severs to offer both students and parents some peace of mind knowing that you are in a safe place.  

Quality of Life 

Ruimsig is not as conjected as the inner-city and so that allows to have a little more space with more options of bachelor and one-bedroom units to rent. Additionally, it is quiet and close to many amenities and emergency services, meaning that you can live a very comfortable life knowing that all your immediate needs are catered for.  

Affordable (kind-of) relative to Johannesburg  

Ruimsig isn’t exactly the cheapest suburb to live in, but it is often more affordable than high-demand places like central Johannesburg.  There are variety of options ranging from townhouses to apartments that can fit a student budget. Those who are attending IIE MSA (Emeris), can find some reasonable accommodation on campus. 

Cons of living in Ruimsig for students: 

Distance from some universities 

While some institutions like IIE MSA (Emeris Ruimsig), UNISA Florida and the International Hotel School (Roodepoort) are close to Ruimsig, many of the major institutions are quite some distance away.   

For students who are willing to wake up early and drive, commuting to the likes of UJ or Wits takes about half an hour. Depending on where you are located however, the cost of travel can get expensive, especially if you are relying on public transport or cab hailing services.   

Limited night life  

Ruimsig is a suburban area, so while it does have some places to hang out it doesn’t have the variety of a booming nightlife like one will find in the inner city.  If you are looking for the typical ‘student town’ vibe with lots of bars, parties, clubs you’ll find that Ruimsig doesn’t really offer that. It is much quieter with an active but more subdued night life scene.  

Cost of living 

Ruimsig is relatively safe with estates and complexes having good security systems. This however can come at a cost. Yes, as stated previously student accommodation options are comparatively cheaper than what you’ll find in Johannesburg central but that does not mean it is ‘cheap’ by any means. The cost of space and security is something that one must consider before signing their lease.   

Social opportunities  

Ruimsig offers a range of accommodation options. However, if you are far from a major institution, then making friends and attending events will require quite some effort. The student communities are typically centralised around the campuses; it is not as much of a ‘student city’ vibe like you’ll find in Braamfontein.   

Property Market Trends  

According to Property24, property prices have not risen by more than 1 or 2 percent in recent years. That means for parents or students who are thinking to invest it might be a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is a low cost to entry, however on the other hand, you might not see much capital appreciation.  

That being said, if you invest in a place near the likes of IIE MSA (Emeris) you are highly likely to see a consistent stream of tenants given that students will always be looking for accommodation. 

Conclusion 

Ruimsig can be a great place for students. This is especially true if you prefer a quieter and greener environment. If you are willing to brave a longer commute for the sake of cheaper more secure accommodation, Ruimsig might be the perfect place for you.   

At the end of the day, it is all about preference. If you want the night life and late-night hangouts then Ruimsig might be a little too far away from where all the action is. Like everything else in life, it is to a one-size-fits-all. It might not be the thing you are looking for, but it is definitely worth taking a look because it is a place full of its own charms. 

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