Would you move to Cape Town?

[ZarZarGabor]

Sorry posting here for traffic.

A good job opportunity has come up to move to Cape Town with work, likely for 3 years or so. We have one pre-school age child and are aware childcare options there are more affordable.

We have spent some time there before and so are alive to some of the issues the country faces including crime, load shedding and bureaucracy. However we still absolutely love the place and want an adventure.

Would be grateful to hear the views of people who have direct experience living there, especially with a young child.

I know lots of people will have a “friend of a friend” who has had bad experiences in South Africa, but I’d really like to hear from people who actually live or have lived there about day to day life for an expat and the sorts of considerations we might have forgotten to factor into (we have already considered visas, healthcare, security, costly mobile phone data etc).

thanks for any advice.

Our SA friends have settled here. Their guard dogs were murdered in their gated community which was the final straw. They had a young child. The company he worked for had an opening in the UK. The power cuts are daily, have been for a few years. They worry about their families but accept they don't want to leave yet. The hate has got worse, they're white so at greater risk.

There was a documentary recently I watched. It was made clear that they want outsiders gone for good.

"Africa, beware of Putin’s money promises | Russia-Ukraine war | Al Jazeera" https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/7/27/africa-beware-of-russias-money-promises

The hate has got worse, they're white so at greater risk.

they may be at greater risk of a violent break in at their white gated community. They’re not at greater risk of violence overall.

and lol at the poster who identified ‘reverse’ racism as one of the critical issues.

No way... spent a week there once and didn't feel comfortable at all

I think it's crazy

If you have really young kids who are used to sticking their hands into anything in the garden, snakes are a risk. For example, if the kids build a den and go back to it the next day or climb into a tree (the boomslang). Puff adders are fairly common and occasionally seen. Not a huge issue, but something kids need to be aware of to adjust behavior. Some of the snakes can do serious harm from a scratch, so not just the double puncture that clearly shows a bite.

I would 100% go if I were in your shoes - I made the move from the UK to Cape Town in 2007 - lived there until 2010 and since then go back annually/have property there. I lived in De Waterkant and Green Point, worked in the Durbanville area. Whilst it’s true that crime is an issue, there are a few factors to consider:

1. A lot of posters seem to be describing ‘SA’ as a world of gated communities whereas if you’re living in the CBD/Camp’s Bay etc it isn’t gated communities as such, rather apartment buildings will either have their own security or will have a security company on call. Personally I would prefer a building with onsite security rather than having to wait for someone to arrive if you feel unsafe for any reason. If you live a bit further out - Blouberg or Tokai for example, you could think about living on a golf estate which is more like a gated community of houses if you prefer more space. Obviously then you’d have to factor in your commute/driving on the motorway, so it’s down to personal preference.
2. In recent years I have noticed an increase in homelessness and begging in the CBD, however Uber is much more prevalent than before if you want to go a short distance without the car. As a woman I would walk with friends in the CBD at night but not by myself.
3. Loadshedding is an absolute pain in recent years and shows no sign of abating, so when you’re looking for an apartment check if the building has their own generator.
4. Violent crime is undoubtedly a massive issue but it’s relative to where you’re moving from - I have lived in cities all my life with varying levels of danger - I am currently in London and there are regular stabbings, shootings, muggings and gang activity in my area. For me, the experiences I have gained from my ties with Cape Town massively outweigh other factors.
5. Check that your job will pay for the legal fees involved in sorting your work permit, and be mindful this can take a long time (mine took 6 months). Also check if there is a relocation package on both ends if you’re moving for a short-term job.

PM me if you want any other info!

I know several South African (white) families that have moved to the UK over the last few years. Every last one said it was because there was no future there for their children and had safety concerns as well.

Well I think that's your answer.

No way. I live in Malta and so many here are basically escaping there

My grandad is South African and that side of the family have all left for their own safety. I also live abroad and know a LOT of people working here who are here purely because they’re South African and feel desperately unsafe there. The stories they have told me are beyond horrific and that’s just a part of their daily life. I LOVE Cape Town but no, these days I’d never, ever consider living there. It’s far too dangerous and absolutely brutal things happen, unbearably awful. And that’s coming from me who happily travels and lives in places that a lot of people wouldn’t dream of going to (currently considering a move to Saudi Arabia for example). But no. I’d draw the line at SA these days, sadly.

As for gated communities, my colleagues ex-colleague (a teacher who hadn’t done anything wrong but was white) was shot dead at the gate of a gated community.

No way. I've met lots of South Africans in London (black, white and Asian) and none of them plan to ever move back. Many plan to move on to Australia though.

Fuck no. 1 in 4 women/girls are raped in s Africa.

Nope

I hate the SA accent

Can I please ask people elaborate about SA and why is it so amazing? Everyone’s post says “amazing but no too dangerous” what’s the amazing parts please? I know nothing about SA and now I am intrigued

Covid lockdowns damaged an already fragile economy for the poor for the worse. They're selling weapons to the russians, want to get to the moon. The leadership is so detached from its own people.

We have friends (one born there) who left there 20 years ago and have never been back. They lived in a house with so much security that it felt like prison and said they were in constant fear and couldn't live like that any longer.

Go for it. I wouldn’t move there permanently but would consider a 2-3 year experience.

My sister lives in Eastern cape as well as some of my close relatives, and I’ve some far relatives in Cape Town. They all love it bar the crime, been there for generations.

The sceneries, the nature, safaris, beaches. The Garden Route. Gorgeous gorgeous country 😍 But yeah idk if that’s worth the move for me. It really is a lawless land.

Because the people, the safaris, braais, billtong, the landscape, the sunshine, the beaches, the various adventures you can have. The way the air smells before it rains.

It's 100% my favourite place in the world (minis the bad stuff) there's not a place like it.

We've been on holidays a few times and love it to travel to it although it's a very scary place and you are not safe. I would never live there you are just so limited to what you can do and where you can go. It's not like you can just go for a walk like we were warned to only be in the tourist areas and they were heavily policed (with weapons). We have been twice and I would never live there or bring a child there. It's a beautiful country but it's an extremely violent scary place with extreme levels of poverty and particularly on our second visit last year it seemed to have gotten worse. My uncle also lived there in a gated community and they had to bring bribes when they wanted to go shopping for when there car would be stopped. You arent safe just cause you live in a gated community

Oh my goodness, I have not read all of the comments, but I am South African, LIVING in South Africa at the moment.

I would definitely say COME!

I lived in the UK for 7 years and had my first child there (married to a Brit). My DH loves SA and we were happy to come back here. 2nd Child born here.

Let's take politics, black and white out talk about actual life, living here...

Yes, there are parts that are not safe, like there are in any country. Yes, our politicians are corrupt, like they are in any country. ALL countries have problems to varying degrees.

But, apart from the weather, life also feels 'free-er' here than in the UK. I have a lot more say in my children's schooling and whether I want to keep them off or not. (And before anyone piles in, I am just a normal Mum who would keep her child off if he is sick without the worry of fines and repercussions / or maybe once or twice leave a day early for holidays.)

Btw, I loved living in England too, I'm not slating it. It's just different.

So we don't have an NHS, but if you can afford medical aid, our health care is amazing. You don't ever wait to see a doctor. You can book an appointment with a specialist without a referral or hoops to jump through.

Actually, Cape Town does have some of the best government hospitals in SA, so you'd be okay if you didn't have medical cover.

There are really, really good schools all over SA. (I actually live in Johannesburg, but have visited Cape Town many times.)

The people (all races) are friendly and accommodating.

The only reasons I would not live in Cape Town myself are the awful winds in winter and the people there can be a little snobby if you haven't grown up there. 😜

I hate this slating of SA constantly and I love this country. I love living here.

Aw, you said it!! Thank you!

Also, I have been stopped 100's of times by Police and have NEVER had to bribe anyone.