janinekidd

Hi everyone

Hi we are hoping to emmigrate to Cape Town by the end of this year. Please can you give me any information with relation to jobs and housing and what areas are the best to live in. My partner is basically returning home he was born in East London. But im British born. Any help greatly appreciated.

Pablo

I urge you to look through the various relevant threads that are already here. This question of yours pops up every few weeks in almost exactly the same format, and many posters have spent a lot of time giving specific answers to the questions you ask.

homesickchick

Hi - spent quite some time responding to your PM & resent the email but lost them all into cyber space before sending - basically because I'm typing too quickly as I had too much to say. In summary - I implore you NOT to come unless you have your heart set on it. I have no choice at the moment because of financial constraints, still trying to sell a house in Joburg like the million others leaving Gauteng and etc., etc., We both work in Retail as well so not a good time to return to UK right now but make no mistake return is what we will do, its just a question of timing. I hope and pray we remain lucky until that day. The country is without doubt beautiful and I've made some stunning friends in Joburg - yes the place is scarey as hell but the people are wonderful friendlier than us Brits!. I genuinely don't think you will get work - I only did because I'm married to a South African and I have what is referred to as 'specialist skills' as affirmative action is a very real force against white foreigners. If you still have your heart set on it - then live in a security estate and find work before you come. Suggest you watch Macintyre - The Worlds toughest Towns on Bravo tonight at 10pm. I haven't seen it but I'm guessing my phone will be ringing off tomorrow with friends & family if they do. Please also remember that this is just my opinion - you must follow your heart in all cases but make sure a large dollop of your head is involved if considering South Africa.
Please take this reply with well meaning intention

janinekidd

ok im watching it now thank you

janinekidd

Hi thanks for your advice. I watched the programme and I was very shocked as what goes on out there and very surprised when Iv spoke to friends who are still very happy out there, and have no intention of moving. Im on the understanding that the trouble is mostly in the townships but does spread to Cape Town etc. Can anybody tell me how far the Cape Flats are from Cape Town as this seems to be the worst area. Also surely not all of South Africa has high crime rates. I live in England and would not walk around areas close to me alone.

Pablo

Your South African partner will be able to tell you.

Daxk

Hi Janine, we have spoken before, Cape Town is seen as being safer than any of SA's Cities. Or so I am repeatedly told.
its car hi-jackings are lower as those that are go to chop shops for spare parts whereas Johannesburg/Pretoria/Durbans cars tend to head over the border which is a fast 4 hour hour drive away.

AudsFrmSA

I have to fully agree with what homesickchick has said.....I am in the same position as her, with waiting to sell our property before we can leave...it's a long hard waiting game, and like she says 'hoping and praying that we remain lucky until that day.

janinekidd

Thanks for all your help and we have made a decision. We dont want to risk going. It may get better but there again it may not. We are off to Oz again. Thanks again

homesickchick

Hi - I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. Now you've made your decision I can tell you why I said don't come. These are the things I wish that I had known :
1. There is no SAFE area to live - I lived in Parkhurst one of the most residential areas around and you would think 'safe'. Both my neighbours experienced crime - one was robbed (68 yrs old) and the other was followed home because they saw her big fat diamond ring - they robbed & raped her (they moved after). Both my close friends live in LOVELY houses - one was chased down the road by a guy with a gun & the other they got into her garden from a tree whilst she slept in bed with her kids (their guard made out they weren't home so they stole his cell phone & knocked him out)
2. Our mortgage or bond as they call it here equated to £1350 per month because of the high interest rates. That little horror story happened in a year because the rates kept hiking up and we were powerless to do anything about it. Also you have to pay someone somewhere 10% or thereabouts the purchase price - transfer duty bit like stamp duty - cost us £10k
3. You need to send your child to private school - costly after 10 yrs.
4. Medical aid only covers so much 'saving' per year then you start shelling out from your own pocket
5. They cut off your electricity and whatever else they want and leave you literally in the dark without an electric fence unless you have a backup battery, the irony is you cant get out because all gates are electric
6. The bugs are big & scarey!.
7. You can't get work unless your employer can prove to home affairs that there isn't one single local person that can do your job - you must have special skills
8. Don't let anyone in to your house unless you know who they are
9. Don't have anything that they may want including jewellery, nice car or expensive cell phone.
10. There is no central heating so the winters are cold and that's from a Brit!.

Having said all of that - these are the pluses:

1. The country is beautiful
2. Joburg weather is the best in the world
3. The Jacaranda trees are a sight to behold
4. The storms are breathtaking unless you get struck by lightening ofcourse
5. Kruger park is to die for
6. The food & wine are delicious
7. South Africans make barbeque an art and its gorgeous - the meat is fab & the salads are very special
8. In the main - the people are warm & friendly
9. Some of the best doctors in the world live here
10. Did I say its beautiful - it is!

But still I'm going home because I'm no longer Free. If anyone reading this is thinking about coming over - only you can decide. I still came after all the horror stories I heard because quite frankly I love my husband and I was sick of the weather and the rat race. The best advice I was given by a local was be safe - S=Staff on the property A= Alarm F= Fido (dog bigger the better) E = Electric Fence. Don't wear your flash gear out and dont drive a fancy car and get eyes in the back of your head.

My viewpoint for what its worth anyways. Enjoy OZ Kerry

uk_vette

[QUOTE=homesickchick;7165263]Hi - I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. Now you've made your decision I can tell you why I said don't come. These are the things I wish that I had known :
1. There is no SAFE area to live - I lived in Parkhurst one of the most residential areas around and you would think 'safe'. Both my neighbours experienced crime - one was robbed (68 yrs old) and the other was followed home because they saw her big fat diamond ring - they robbed & raped her (they moved after). Both my close friends live in LOVELY houses - one was chased down the road by a guy with a gun & the other they got into her garden from a tree whilst she slept in bed with her kids (their guard made out they weren't home so they stole his cell phone & knocked him out)
2. Our mortgage or bond as they call it here equated to £1350 per month because of the high interest rates. That little horror story happened in a year because the rates kept hiking up and we were powerless to do anything about it. Also you have to pay someone somewhere 10% or thereabouts the purchase price - transfer duty bit like stamp duty - cost us £10k
3. You need to send your child to private school - costly after 10 yrs.
4. Medical aid only covers so much 'saving' per year then you start shelling out from your own pocket
5. They cut off your electricity and whatever else they want and leave you literally in the dark without an electric fence unless you have a backup battery, the irony is you cant get out because all gates are electric
6. The bugs are big & scarey!.
7. You can't get work unless your employer can prove to home affairs that there isn't one single local person that can do your job - you must have special skills
8. Don't let anyone in to your house unless you know who they are
9. Don't have anything that they may want including jewellery, nice car or expensive cell phone.
10. There is no central heating so the winters are cold and that's from a Brit!.

.
.
.
Some good stuff, but also a lot of negative.
Are you still in Claremont, where, ?
I went to Claremont Public School,
Palmyra Road

homesickchick

Hi - yes, still in Claremont. We only moved to Cape Town 8 months ago so still finding my feet in the Mother City so don't know the school you mentioned. Did you live in Joburg? or CT? or are you still here?

Pablo

The negative is what people need, especially potential Brit emigrants to SA. They need to balance the starry-eyed stuff with the gritty unwelcome truths lest they make a dreadful mistake. The "good stuff" can be gleaned from any travel brochure, Sunday supplement, or from the various propaganda sites. No one is in any doubt that SA is sunny and has warm summers.

Spizz

I hear your point Maria, but it's a mad world all round!

We lived in a stunning part of Edinburgh - opposite the Botanical Gardens and all in all, we were victims of crime 5 times living there, one serious incident when my husband was threatened and robbed at knife point (I was 6 months pregnant at the time). We were broken into and our house was trashed in broad daylight. Our kids were distraught.

I felt SO scared and worried coming to SA 5 years ago - barely able to have a good night sleep. To date, we have been "lucky?" .... we are NOT complacent and make sure we take care and remain diligent as I think one should be where ever in the world you choose to live.

Anyway, our kids go to top state schools here and they receive an education that we could NEVER afford in the UK. A small price to pay, but would not have it any other way. Our kids are less mature than kids the same age in UK and the respect and politeness from kids here, are an absolute pleasure to see and hear.

Our only gripe living in CLaremont, is that we're still living in a city, where we would really prefer to living in the countryside. Therefor, we have bought a house in Vermont, Hermanus. A lovely place - quiet and as good as crime free. Our kids are out on bikes, down to beach and living so freely.

It has taken time to settle back to SA life, but here for now - making the most of all the delights this country has to offer.

Emilia x

Daxk

Spizz, I'm not going to make this more melodramatic than I absolutely have to.
You can do whatever you want,take as much care as you want, live in the most secure Village,house,town you want to.
If you happen to attract attention from someone somewhere, you are going to have incidents.
The difference between the incidents you outlined in Edinburgh are what?

you got burgled,yep, anywhere on Earth that happens, Insurance replaces wether you are in Edinburgh,Hermanus, Johannesburg, or twodogs.
And kids defecate on your personals everywhere.
Your Husband got mugged with a knife, yep anywhere..
Rapes do happen everywhere.
we are agreed?

The problem, in SA is that if and when it happens, you are lucky if its just a knife,
you are lucky if its just a burglary,next time you are at a dinner party and its some older hands, a burglary would be mentioned in passing as the reason why there is a new TV,

And Rape? can you really equate the fact that a woman in SA has more chance of being raped than learning to read? And, yes, that is in the new SA.
the illiteracy levels amongst women is still that low.
Are you actually equating your Edinburgh experience with SA's VIOLENT Crime?
However, its your choice, I lived there happily for 54 years.
I did'nt have a child for 48 of them.
I now live in Ireland.
and yes, I prefer SA's weather,
But there is Nothing that could convince me to raise a child there, especially a daughter.