Cape Town for 3 months with 4 month old& DH working during day? Am I crazy?

[newbabyinthestow]

My husband needs to spend approx. 4 months working in Cape Town starting in May. I am on maternity leave with our 3 month old DS, so he'll be 4 months in May. Someone else is arranging our accommodation - does anyone have any advice on areas we should ask to be? I will be at home alone with DS during the day and DH will come back in the evenings and have one day off at the weekends. I want to be somewhere I can stroll about during the day and feel safe, and where we can have a nice apartment or house.

I don't drive, but on days off DH can drive us to do sightseeing etc. Really I just want to think about the best spot for me to be based, and where I can join some baby groups etc to meet some other mums in case I go stir crazy. I hope to have a spare room and encourage friends and relatives to stay with me if they want to, to help keep me company.

Ant other advice on taking a baby to cape Town? Does he need to get any additional jabs? Is there anything I should bring? What will the weather be like there? Can you breastfeed in public places if need be? How could I go about getting a babysitter if DH & I want to go for a meal one night? So many questions are springing to mind!

I am unsure what to expect and want to be ready for the reality of such a long stint away from home somewhere I've never been. I know a few people who thought security might be an issue, more in terms of how you feel being there on your own most of the time, rather than any real threat - anyone have any thoughts on that side of things?

I would go to Simon's town a friend spends a month each year there with two kids currently under 4. Security is much less of a problem in cape town than jo'burg. Simon's town is on the coast and a lovely safe suburb.
DD loved the cape at 15 months we didn't any additional jabs apart from bring her MMR slightly forward.

I would also think about getting the BCG jab - TB is prevalent (sp??) in South Africa.

You are unfortunately going to be there during the winter months - it is the wet and cold and the houses do not have double glazing or any central heating. However, there is always a lot to do - just different to what the UK offers.

It is a great opportunity - it is quite easy getting about if you don't mind driving (otherwise you will be pretty stuck) and it should be easy to find suitable accommodation. The most favoured places would be ones where there is some kind of gated security and you do need to be alert and aware of not travelling late at night or in 'unsavoury' areas.

The thing I would also be aware is to make sure you have medical aid. The costs of medicine and seeing professionals is very expensive !!