Originally Posted by Maddyjvn (Post 9376916)

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

Originally Posted by Suloak (Post 9378917)

And thanks, Sue, for the welcome. I'm a Sue as well. :D

Originally Posted by BahiaDave (Post 9451935)

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!

Originally Posted by keepyourpeace (Post 9460081)

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!
:)

Originally Posted by peterbs (Post 9507572)

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 :)