'Malifiloane
ModeratePietermaritzburg, Free State
'Malifiloane is held back by higher crime and high prices for local incomes.
Things to weigh up
- Crime is higher than in most areas, so read the safety section before deciding.
- Homes are expensive compared with local incomes.
- There are few schools nearby, so check the school run.
- Public transport is limited, so you will probably need a car.
- Shops and everyday services are thin on the ground.
- It is quiet, with little to do nearby.
- Property prices have been weaker than in most areas.
Who it suits
-
Families with children Less suited
Higher crime, few schools nearby and fewer shops and services.
-
Young professionals and renters Less suited
Limited public transport, fewer shops and services and little to do nearby.
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Retirees and a quieter life Less suited
Higher crime and fewer shops and services.
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Living without a car Less suited
Limited public transport and fewer shops and services.
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Buying on a budget Less suited
High prices for local incomes and weak property prices.
Compared with nearby areas
| In Pietermaritzburg | In South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | About average | Below most |
| Affordability | About average | Below most |
| Schools | Below most | Below most |
| Transport | Among the lowest | Among the lowest |
| Amenities | Below most | Below most |
| Lifestyle | Among the lowest | Among the lowest |
| Property Confidence | Below most | Among the lowest |
Coverage confidence reflects geographic matching, source authority, freshness, record coverage, and demographic alignment. It is not a liveability score.
What these scores mean for 'Malifiloane
Each score is out of 100. Higher is better for you: a high affordability score means cheaper relative to local incomes, and a high safety score means less crime. Comparisons are with other areas in the same country.
- Safety: 73/100 · Good
- Scores 73 out of 100, which is good and lower than 70% of areas in South Africa. In practice, reported crime is low for its size. What it measures: How safe the area is, from reported crime adjusted for population, with burglary and robbery counting most. How it is worked out: No SAPS station data for this suburb yet — safety is estimated from data-backed suburbs nearby. This is an estimate from wider-area data, not measured for this area itself. Source: Estimated from nearby areas (estimated).
- Affordability: 86/100 · Excellent
- Scores 86 out of 100, which is excellent and lower than 99% of areas in South Africa. In practice, rent takes a reasonable share of local incomes. What it measures: How average rent compares with what households here typically earn. How it is worked out: Average rent as a share of median monthly income. This is based on reasonable data, but not the most recent or most local. Source: Stats SA income & rental index (modelled).
- Schools: 12/100 · Weak
- Scores 12 out of 100, which is weak and lower than 99% of areas in South Africa. In practice, there are few schools nearby, so check travel times to the ones you want. What it measures: How many primary and secondary schools are within reach. How it is worked out: Real schools within range by phase (primary/secondary/pre-primary), weighted toward secondary. This is based on reasonable data, but not the most recent or most local. Source: DBE National Masterlist of Schools (2020) (2020).
- Transport: 18/100 · Weak
- Scores 18 out of 100, which is weak and lower than 99% of areas in South Africa. In practice, you will probably need a car for most trips. What it measures: Access to public transport stops, stations and main roads. How it is worked out: Density of public-transport stops and stations. This is based on strong, recent official data. Source: OpenStreetMap transport nodes (Nov 2026).
- Amenities: 15/100 · Weak
- Scores 15 out of 100, which is weak and lower than 76% of areas in South Africa. In practice, you may need to travel for everyday shopping and services. What it measures: Everyday places nearby, such as shops, pharmacies, clinics and banks. How it is worked out: Daily-convenience density: shops, food, healthcare, community. This is based on strong, recent official data. Source: OpenStreetMap & Google Places (Nov 2026).
- Lifestyle: 12/100 · Weak
- Scores 12 out of 100, which is weak and lower than 99% of areas in South Africa. In practice, it is a quieter area with fewer places to go out. What it measures: Places to eat, relax and spend free time, such as restaurants, parks and gyms. How it is worked out: Parks, food culture, and community sentiment once reviews accrue. This is based on strong, recent official data. Source: OSM green space + resident sentiment (Nov 2026).
- Property Confidence: 64/100 · About average
- Scores 64 out of 100, which is about average and lower than 98% of areas in South Africa. What it measures: How much reliable property data we have and how stable prices look. How it is worked out: Directional year-on-year price movement — not a valuation. This is based on strong, recent official data. Source: Stats SA Residential Property Price Index (RPPI 2010-2023).
Is this area good for families?
'Malifiloane scores 12/100 for schools and 73/100 for safety — the two factors families weigh most. Its strongest areas are safety and affordability. Be mindful of weaker schools and transport scores before committing.
Generated by AI · 1 month ago
Municipal service delivery
Real Stats SA General Household Survey (GHS 2022) — based on 1,290 households surveyed. for the wider municipality/province this suburb sits in.
% of households reporting each problem as present in their area.
Source: Stats SA GHS 2022.
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Local services in 'Malifiloane
No verified local businesses serve 'Malifiloane yet.
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Tips from residents
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Visiting 'Malifiloane
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NeighbourhoodIQ is an information service, not legal or financial advice. Scores are computed from public data and are indicative only. Crime data: SAPS. Demographics: Stats SA. Amenities: OpenStreetMap contributors.