Until recently I lived in Cape Town all my life. Cape Town is safer than other places in SA but like any city you have to be aware of where you are and what's going on around you - one would not walk alone thru parts of any city in the world and that same caution applies here. I don't believe the crime is as bad as the media suggests which tends to dramatise things. Capetonians tend to be cliquey & a bit hard to make friends with. Schools - cont-

The school system is ok - no more canings anyway but I'd recommend private over model C if you can afford it. Beaurocracy is the same the world over. Despite a fair amount of corruption it tends not to affect day to day interactions - I wouldn't recommend trying to bribe a traffic officer for example. Corruption is more along the lines of lining your pockets with government money or getting your aunty / uncle / cousin a job. Some things are cont-

Frustrating to deal with but I don't believe they are much different from dealing with any gov. dept. anywhere in the world. Getting around isn't too bad - rush hour is rush hour - not as clogged as LA or London though. As for opening a B & B that is where I'd advise caution. There are so many already. Do your research carefully before committing to a business venture like that. Buying an existing business may be better but get the books checked.

Security is what you want to make of it. Some people live in siege mode - high walls, spikes, bars, alarms, armed response. That is not the norm and s.what extreme. Lock up, alarm, burglar bars + being aware! are enuf ie don't open your door to a strange man, stop next to someone loitering suspiciously at the traffic lights and so on. Common sense is still the best crime prevention tool. Hope this helps. I'm happy to answer any other questions.