Crime Stats in Pietermaritzburg: Is It Actually Safer or Just Quieter?

okay so i moved to pietermaritzburg last year thinking i'd get a chill vibe and maybe some good curry... but the first thing everyone asked was "is it getting safer?" like i was some crime analyst. spoiler: i'm a yoga instructor, not a cop.

but here's the messy truth: the stats say contact crimes dropped 8% in 2023 according to the sa police service, but property crime? still a headache. my neighbor got her gate motor stolen twice. twice. and i've heard more "lock your car or lose it" advice here than i ever did in durban.

weather's been weird though-hot af in the day, freezing at night. like the city can't decide if it's summer or winter. and the jacaranda trees? gorgeous but they drop sticky flowers everywhere, so don't wear your favorite shoes.

i asked a local barista (who looked like she'd seen some shit) what she thought. she said, "it's safer than it was in 2018, but don't walk around with your phone out after 7pm unless you want to be part of the stats." solid advice.

here's what i've noticed living here:

- *crime feels localized: some suburbs are chill, others... not so much. montclair and lincoln meade have more incidents than say, world's view.
- nightlife is lowkey: not much going on after 9pm unless you're into taverns or late-night takeaways.
- rent is cheaper than durban*: you can get a decent 2-bed for around r6k/month, which is wild compared to the coast.

i checked out a few local forums and saw people saying things like "pmaberg is safer now but still has that edge" and "don't jog alone in town-just don't." so yeah, take that as you will.

if you're thinking of moving here, maybe start with a short-term rental. i'd link you to some options on airbnb pietermaritzburg or property24 pmaberg to get a feel for the areas.

and if you're into nature, the botanical gardens are still a vibe. just don't leave your bag unattended.

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