Living in Francistown
Botswana · desert
Francistown is a compact city of roughly 100,000 people inland in Botswana. The climate is desert. It sits well off the usual tourist trail with average safety for the region. A typical month of living costs around $1,050. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for wildlife and birdwatching, quiet days, stargazing.
This is one of the places where living off-grid genuinely works, in law and in space. Income earned abroad is generally not taxed here.
Francistown at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Francistown
- Making a budget stretch further
- Working remotely with reliable internet
- Peace, quiet and few crowds
- Anyone into wildlife and birdwatching
- Anyone into quiet days
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Compulsory by law
Compulsory, well funded and well covered: Botswana is the rare case where the law and the service match.
If you skip them: Fines up to 5.000 pula, and up to twelve months in jail.
Exemptions: Medical only.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
➖ Popularity & prices: Steady
Accommodation prices have moved about +10% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Francistown
- • Natural risks worth checking: flooding.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Francistown
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Natural hazards to check locally: flooding.
- •Brutal summer heat is the norm; shade and AC matter.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Francistown?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Francistown
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Francistown, Botswana?
A typical month in Francistown costs around $1,050, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Francistown, Botswana safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Francistown at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. Natural risks worth checking: flooding.
What is the internet like in Francistown?
Internet in Francistown is rated 4 out of 5 for remote work, which is good. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Francistown?
Francistown has a desert climate.
Is healthcare good in Francistown?
Healthcare in Francistown is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 3/5 and private healthcare 2/5.
How easy is it to move to Botswana?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Botswana at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Francistown actually right for you?
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