Jennifereckles

I've been looking at relocating to SA, and we have three under the age of three. My main concern is safety - any advice? We are looking at moving to Kosmos on the Harbeespoort dam, as it's a gated community, but obviously don't want to be prisoners in our own home so ideally wanted to know whether it's still possible to get out and about without worry. Thanks in advance

Pablo

The bottom line is that SA just isn't as safe as the UK. You have to accept that if you go there.

As it happens I know Kosmos at Hartbeespoort. Nice, pretty place, though perhaps a bit cut off. Obviously a gated community is safer than an ungated one, but stuff still happens, and you have to venture out occasionally too!

If you haven't done it already, follow the local press in their online editions to get a feel for what concerns/obsesses the locals. Crime is right up there.

ededed

Harties has really developed in the past couple of years and is now big enough that you probably never need to go to Gauteng at all - which is a good thing. I'm a little out of touch but used to ride my Harley there most Sundays - it's a big biker spot for Jo'burgers on a weekend. I also know the dam itself was getting horribly polluted, but they were trying to sort it out - the smell was terrible and the water was green. It's probably worth making sure that's under control as it's the kind of thing to really affect your quality of life if you're planning on being near the water.

Pecanwood is a nice golf course there, and the cable car is also well run and a great picnic spot with amazing views all the way to Pretoria.

As Pablo rightly says, check out the local news sites for crime stories, and just take the sensible precautions. News24 and the Citizen are good places to check out information.

Good luck, feel free to ask any questions you need help with.

Pablo

Thought you'd just slip that one in, did you Ed? - Leader of the Pack kind of thing, just in case we thought you were getting old and staid. You're such a poseur.

ededed

Harley, kids, wife - in that order. Now I live in Scotland. i spent all my bike money on umbrellas and wellies.

The wolf rides alone.