The Windhoek Guide - Your Guide to Namibia's Capital

Rent or Buy? - This is in Windhoek not predominantly a matter of money rather than a matter of availability. Apartment houses are very rare and thus prices for rental apartments are high. Most people in Windhoek live in own houses. Renting houses is also pretty much not happening. In the last years with the upcoming of complexes, more and more people prefer to live in these security complexes with town houses or on nature estates.

One can buy a house from as little as €30,000, however a good standard house in a decent suburb should cost from €80,000 and might rise to €500,000 for a “palace” in the best suburb. Generally Ludwigsdorf, Luxushügel, Klein Windhoek and Eros Park are the most expensive suburbs, followed by Olympia, Eros, Auasblick and Suiderhof. Kleine Kuppe, Pionierspark and Hochlandpark are popular, fast growing suburbs of the middle income class. Academia, Dorado Park and Windhoek-Central are low income suburbs, while Katutura, Khomasdal, Windhoek West, Wanaheda and the remaining suburbs are very cheap and not always save.

Buying a house or an apartment in Windhoek is strictly regulated, while everyone, including foreigners, are allowed to do so. The buying process runs through estate agents, lawyers and public administration and the ownership will be registered. The system is pretty much the same as in Germany and ownership problems are not as big as in most other African countries.