ededed

Ok, I'm not interested in opening a can of worms here, but I would question a couple of your comments.

He asked if it was safe to go out. Your comment that it is dangerous day and night and he should be taking extra vigilant precautions is frankly nonsense. You're saying we can't go out at all? I just came back from the shops - walked there - seem to have made it back alive. Seriously? To say all of South Africa is like a township with screaming murderers on every corner is - to coin a favourite SA phrase - kak.

"Shiny skins"" is a derogatory and racist term that I (and I am sure most people outside the EDL or AWB) find deeply offensive.

That's pretty much my view too. Of course, those that have been exposed to crime will believe it happens everywhere. The rest of us enjoy the sunshine and are grateful for the space and fresh air and count our blessings to live in such a wonderful place.

uk_vette

.
.
OK,
Well there would be a lot who would argue against what you have just posted, but any way.



vette

ededed

Fair enough. Enjoy China. Say hi to the Dalai Lama if he's passing through.

pomE

Yes, of course but I feel it is only right that the OP makes the trip to make a judgement for himself.

We're even considering moving back to Cape Town. My wife is from Cape Town, and we have a three year old daughter who was born there (dual citizenship). Considering we've lived in Sydney and now UK, thats not a bad endorsement for Cape Town. My primary concern is schooling rather than personal safety of my family tbh....

MatthewCurrie93

Hi guys thanks for all the replies and information your giving me!
Ill be located on cannon street, Cape Town in a company called top rope. If you search this in google you will find it on maps
What is this area like??
Thanks

ededed

My kids are in one of the Curro schools - they are excellent. Worth checking out...

pomE

Thanks,

Im not too clued up on SA schools yet. What are Curro schools?

Only one Ive looked at so far is one of the international schools in Blouberg'/ Parklands I think.

ededed

Curro own and manage a bunch of schools - I can't think of a UK equivalent. They are private - around R3k per child per month - which is pretty middle of the road but they deliver good results and provide excellent social and community skills for children. The trick with schools is to get your name down fast - they fill up quickly. Check where you will live and work too, traffic can be a nightmare in CT in rush hour. You can spend up to R10k a month - but you really don't need to...

MatthewCurrie93

Ill be located on cannon street, Cape Town in a company called top rope. If you search this in google you will find it on maps
What is this area like please??

thankyou

julian67

Hi

I lived there for 9 years ('97-2006) and lived in the Bo-Kaap first (5 years) Lovely experience living amongst Muslims. Used to return to Europe for 6 months and never had my house / cars broken into. The community kept an eye on things! Ok I had a few 'bergies' (homeless) sometimes crashing in my cars when the rains came but otherwise my experience living in Cape Town was indeed memorable. The only reason we left was because of long lines at banks / post offices and having to either do a border run every 2 months just to get a fresh visa or stand in line for hours waiting for sullen, untrained 'doff' Home Affairs officials.

Cannon St is in Salt River area so I wouldn't recommend staying down there. Of course it may all be gentrified now but when I lived there it was DODGY! Check out Tamborsklof / Vradahoek, Ocean view drive / Fresnaye or Camps Bay. I moved from Bo-Kaap to Ocean View Drive / Frsnaye. Camps Bay and Llandundno just to avail of the great sunsets. Cannon St is noisy just off the busy Voertrekker Road.

Anyway, just like the animal kingdom, be observant and dress down.

TIPs: Stash your credit card in an old bloody bandage (ketch up) around your arm / leg. No mugger will bother looking there!

Copy all ID documents and email them to yourself. Otherwise, it can be a nightmare trying to get new ID.

Have some mug money just in case. I had a few dodgy close calls but my thing was that if they guessed which hand the money was in, they'd get it! Otherwise, better luck next time lads and off I went with a smile!

Always tip (5 rands or so) the lovely parking guys who look after your car or gas attendants who pump your gas. They get paid nothing yet breathe in fumes all day. The lads at Somerset road (where all the clubs are) are great.

Go online and listen to www.capetalk.co.za (talk radio) John Maytham 3-5 pm is pretty good.

Have fun down there.

PS. I gave up doing border visa runs up to Namibia & going into Home affairs and just stayed a year & a half 'illegally' After all, what are they afraid of! There's no dole in SA unlike Europe. I employed a lovely cleaning lady eytc and spent quite a bit of dosh there. They spend millions promoting SA then you arrive and they only give you a 2 month visa. So don't even stay 1 day illegally otherwise they'll fine you R3000 + like they told me to pay at one of their embassies abroad. But hey, I didn't pay it and don't intend to!

You'll have a great time there! Lovely people / amazing scenery and great food/veg/fruit,wine and weather!

MatthewCurrie93

Hi,
Thanks a lot for you reply!
Jesus well I hope I don't get mugged while I'm
Over there, making me want to stay in all day every day! Haha

Thanks for your reply

Jambot

Hi Matthew. As a born and bred Capetonian I would like to say welcome and I hope that once you get 'officialdom' out of the way, you will arrive and have a great time living here.
Yes, our government departments are generally incompetent, but amazingly, if you persevere, you will come across a brilliant official who will sort your queries out first rate efficiency. My husband just applied for a new passport. Took less than 3 weeks, we could track its progress by text messages all the way and were sent a text when it arrived back at our local office. Can't really complain about that.
Salt River is a commercial/industrial area. There is some housing there but certainly not family friendly. If you are on your own, I suggest staying closer to the City, but if with the family, look at the Southern Suburbs. Areas like Rondebosch, Claremont, Kenilworth. Also lots of good schools in the area. If you are only here for the short term you could always look at the British School in Claremont. They follow the UK syllabus so your kids would easily fit back in when you get back.

Give a shout if you need to get any more info. And yes, we do have a crime issue, but our family manages to do lots of wonderful things in this city. You just learn to be observant and street-wise.

MatthewCurrie93

Hi thanks for the reply
I'm going in my own and staying in the training camp bassed off cannon street! Can't really change we're I'm staying unfortunately!
Thanks for the help