Introduce yourself before posting
May 21st 2011, 12:02 pm
#211
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hey - I'm a Brit married to a South African. He was in London for 10 years but we decided to move this side just over 3 years ago.
There are some really helpful expats on this site. People with a grip on the reality of South Africa as it is at the moment. Sometimes life here is frustrating the crime is a real issue. However I wouldn't let that put a dampner on your plans. For all the bad there is a lot of good eminating from society here. We have a fabulous life here and certainly both my hubby and I are confirmed we made the right choice to move back here.
Just a warning you'll get a lot of negative input from some users on this site. Although I understand some have had negative experiences many have either heard the rumours about life here through South African friends in the UK, or abandoned their lives here for reasons of direct fear of crime and the politics. I guess you have to weigh up on do you always believe what you read.
I love life here, am careful and have a fulfilled and blessed life. I never knew the pre-apartheid era so I can only go on what I have here and its truely a mixed life of up and downs, learning and culture. The weather speaks for itself and majority of people are moving forward for a better life here in SA.
If I can help answer some questions just let me know. I'll speak from my experience only and not the bitter past the country has had to bear! Having lived in multicultural London I know exactly how it feels to be coming to what is now a multicultural South Africa. South africa isn't there in terms of equality but its more a class than race thing these days. I guess we have more in common with the rest of the world now than we think!
Have fun, enjoy the forums and if you want less serious conversation come and join us in the Lounge area for a lighter approach to life!
Good luck
Madz
There are some really helpful expats on this site. People with a grip on the reality of South Africa as it is at the moment. Sometimes life here is frustrating the crime is a real issue. However I wouldn't let that put a dampner on your plans. For all the bad there is a lot of good eminating from society here. We have a fabulous life here and certainly both my hubby and I are confirmed we made the right choice to move back here.
Just a warning you'll get a lot of negative input from some users on this site. Although I understand some have had negative experiences many have either heard the rumours about life here through South African friends in the UK, or abandoned their lives here for reasons of direct fear of crime and the politics. I guess you have to weigh up on do you always believe what you read.
I love life here, am careful and have a fulfilled and blessed life. I never knew the pre-apartheid era so I can only go on what I have here and its truely a mixed life of up and downs, learning and culture. The weather speaks for itself and majority of people are moving forward for a better life here in SA.
If I can help answer some questions just let me know. I'll speak from my experience only and not the bitter past the country has had to bear! Having lived in multicultural London I know exactly how it feels to be coming to what is now a multicultural South Africa. South africa isn't there in terms of equality but its more a class than race thing these days. I guess we have more in common with the rest of the world now than we think!
Have fun, enjoy the forums and if you want less serious conversation come and join us in the Lounge area for a lighter approach to life!
Good luck
Madz
I've seen people on this forum can be negative towards South Africa but it doesn't matter too much to me, I do know why they are venting. Being a born and raised there, I've also experienced a fair share of the crime. But there's an excellent phrase I've learned in the UK: Keep Calm And Carry On. Life is tough no matter where we go, we just have to make the most of what we have, and it sounds like you think the same way. 
And thanks, Sue, for the welcome. I'm a Sue as well.
Jun 23rd 2011, 11:20 am
#219
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Lencois, Bahia, Brazil
Posts: 1
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi everyone, Newbie here!
Currently living in Bahia, Brazil, doing voluntary work since the end of 2009, when I moved here and bought a house. Previously (many moons ago!) I lived in Southern Africa for 14 years (Angola, Mozambique, school in Rhodesia, Uni and work in South Africa).
No longer can afford to live in the UK, and who would want to with year round sun, cheap cost of living and friendly faces out here!
Currently living in Bahia, Brazil, doing voluntary work since the end of 2009, when I moved here and bought a house. Previously (many moons ago!) I lived in Southern Africa for 14 years (Angola, Mozambique, school in Rhodesia, Uni and work in South Africa).
No longer can afford to live in the UK, and who would want to with year round sun, cheap cost of living and friendly faces out here!
Jun 23rd 2011, 9:06 pm
#220
Mad Moo plus 2
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Safferville
Posts: 1,347
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi everyone, Newbie here!
Currently living in Bahia, Brazil, doing voluntary work since the end of 2009, when I moved here and bought a house. Previously (many moons ago!) I lived in Southern Africa for 14 years (Angola, Mozambique, school in Rhodesia, Uni and work in South Africa).
No longer can afford to live in the UK, and who would want to with year round sun, cheap cost of living and friendly faces out here!
Currently living in Bahia, Brazil, doing voluntary work since the end of 2009, when I moved here and bought a house. Previously (many moons ago!) I lived in Southern Africa for 14 years (Angola, Mozambique, school in Rhodesia, Uni and work in South Africa).
No longer can afford to live in the UK, and who would want to with year round sun, cheap cost of living and friendly faces out here!
Cool....sounds like you're very well travelled. Enjoy!! and welcome to the mad house.
Jun 27th 2011, 4:55 pm
#221
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 11
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi!
Im currently at uni in the Uk (born and bred here) but with a view to do a postgraduate course and eventually live in South Africa! Have saffa relatives, loved it when I visisted, cant wait to see what happens really!
Im currently at uni in the Uk (born and bred here) but with a view to do a postgraduate course and eventually live in South Africa! Have saffa relatives, loved it when I visisted, cant wait to see what happens really!
Jul 3rd 2011, 4:10 pm
#222
Mad Moo plus 2
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Safferville
Posts: 1,347
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
WOO HOO...another taker. Well give us a shout when you make the move!! We're still here.
Good luck with your course(s)!!!
Jul 15th 2011, 1:19 pm
#223
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi all.
I bought a house in Brusubi, The Gambia, West Africa in 2008. So far have lived there for 3 six month periods (Nov to April) with my wife and son.
Having a great time, cost of living really cheap, rates £7 a year, fuel 85p a litre, local beer 32p a bottle, local spirits £1.35 a litre and car insurance £8 a year.
Nov to April, no rain and around early 30c upwards everyday
Cannot wait till Nov 2011 when we return
I bought a house in Brusubi, The Gambia, West Africa in 2008. So far have lived there for 3 six month periods (Nov to April) with my wife and son.
Having a great time, cost of living really cheap, rates £7 a year, fuel 85p a litre, local beer 32p a bottle, local spirits £1.35 a litre and car insurance £8 a year.
Nov to April, no rain and around early 30c upwards everyday
Cannot wait till Nov 2011 when we return
Jul 20th 2011, 6:30 pm
#224
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi there I'm Peter, 33 years old, married to a South African girl from Joburg. I'm a Doctor currently living in Sunderland in the UK, but we're planning on upping sticks and moving to Johannesburg in about 18 months time. I then plan on applying for citizenship and pursuing my postgraduate training in Dermatology there.
It'll be really interesting to see if there are any other Doctors on the forum, especially those who are married to South Africans as it is has proved quite difficult so far to get suitable advice re: visas etc for what is quite a specific situation.
look forward to chatting with you all
It'll be really interesting to see if there are any other Doctors on the forum, especially those who are married to South Africans as it is has proved quite difficult so far to get suitable advice re: visas etc for what is quite a specific situation.
look forward to chatting with you all
Jul 20th 2011, 6:57 pm
#225
.
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Home, I think.
Posts: 9,217
Re: Introduce yourself before posting
Hi there I'm Peter, 33 years old, married to a South African girl from Joburg. I'm a Doctor currently living in Sunderland in the UK, but we're planning on upping sticks and moving to Johannesburg in about 18 months time. I then plan on applying for citizenship and pursuing my postgraduate training in Dermatology there.
It'll be really interesting to see if there are any other Doctors on the forum, especially those who are married to South Africans as it is has proved quite difficult so far to get suitable advice re: visas etc for what is quite a specific situation.
look forward to chatting with you all
It'll be really interesting to see if there are any other Doctors on the forum, especially those who are married to South Africans as it is has proved quite difficult so far to get suitable advice re: visas etc for what is quite a specific situation.
look forward to chatting with you all
I don't think we have anyone as educated as a doctor round these parts. A few Sangomas maybe...? Anyway - I am married to a South African, no real "specialist" skills to speak of and got an accompanying spouse visa - piece of cake. Perhaps this might be your best route...? Good luck...