Considering Move to Cape Town frm US

[Unseer]

Don't know if this thread is still active but here's my reply never the less.

My wife & I have been living in London for just under 7 years now. We left SA to see the world and accidentally got great jobs in London, bought a house and had a kid. Hard to argue with the economic stability of the UK right? Problem is we forgot that everything we love, everything dear to us is back in South Africa so we're going back home.

Cape Town is the place we're aiming for, I've lived there before (also lived in Joburg) and it's a nice balance of beauty (it's so beautiful it hurts), crime (better than Joburg, not as good as Knysna) and stability (SA set to grow by 4.8% in 2008). After living in London and driving the hour to work through rush hour I think Cape Town is going to be a wonderful surprise. We'll choose a school like Bishops or somewhere in Stellenbosch and live in those areas.

To answer some of your questions, the school I mentioned above is one of the best but there are a number to choose from.

Great neighbourhoods - places to avoid are the cape flats and if you don't mind driving along beautiful highways to work every day then you could choose to live anywhere in greater Cape Town, perhaps even somewhere like Rooiels if you really want to get away. I'd say Stellenbosch, Hout Bay, Kommejie, Vishoek, Rondebosch or Bishops Court are some. Different price ranges in there.

You'll miss your friends, we sure will. You'll also make loads more, Capetonians are a nice bunch but it's like everywhere else in the world - people gather in social groups that suit them.

I hope you guys get to live in Cape Town and as long as you keep your wits about you (don't walk in the Cape flats, stay away from dodgy areas) and rely on common sense you'll love it.

[Juliet]

If everyone can bare with me...I am NEW to this sight. My family has the opportunity to move to the Cape town area in the next few month. We are Americans and I am very concerned about our safety.
I have twin daughters who are 13 that I am concerned about (as well as myself).

I have heard many good things AND bad things. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you so much,
Juliet

[Elise]

Hi Juliet
Of course you should be concerned about safety here! One of the highest crime rates in the world. But I have friends here who have never even had a wallet stolen, then I've been here for 4+ years with 2 home robberies, 2 work robberies and a shooting (all in presumably "good" neighborhoods). I think you can be okay with the situation here if you can accept two things: no matter how careful you are, something may happen to you, regardless. And, you have to be okay with the amount of security required to live here. You have to be able to live with walls around houses, barbed/elec wire and probably at least 4 locks to get from the street into where you live. Personally, I hate that - I grew up just outside a major US metropolitan area and had plenty of freedom and one lock on the back door we often forgot to lock. But, maybe you can't find that anywhere anymore.
I think that as long as you are as smart as you can possibly be with safety - the usual "don't go wandering around at night alone" etc - and as long as you're willing to invest in security at your home, then you'll be as good as you can be. Cape Town has amazing things to offer - it is simply the most beautiful city in the world, business is excellent, great outdoor activities, wonderful private schools and the best private health care/hospitals I have ever experienced. Oh, and amazing restaurants.
You just need to decide if the value of all the good things here is better than the risk of possible crime. I think it's simple as that.
As I said we've been here almost 5 years, and will not be staying long term because of the crime (and we have a young daughter here who I don't want growing up in this particular socity). But for a few years, despite the crime, it can be a great place to stay - certainly the most memorable years you will have. Feel free to email me if you like! I can also help with specific areas of Cape Town - housing, schools, etc.

[Deepdiver47]

Well this is a turn up . . My business partner left for the UK last year to set up our 'empire' there. Happily living in the scenic Cotswolds.

After a year they've had enough. They are coming back next month. They say there is nowhere that rivals Cape Town and knowing what they know they are going to come back and enjoy the good times. He is an astute business man, he has young children, as do I, and is well aware of the risks and benefits.

I honestly never thought after the massive trauma of last years move (greatly motivated by the crime threat, although they have not personally been subject) they would come back, but hey, makes you think, doesnt it?

[Deepdiver47]

Also Juliet, live in a good neighbourhood, make sure you have decent security - it doesnt have to be Alcatraz! - and get your kids into good schools. the rest is common sense.

[Juliet]

Thank you Elise and Deepdiver for your quick responses...

Elise, due to the fact that I have young teens how capable of "spreading their wings" are they going to be? Back here in the U.S. this age would be the beginning of going out with girlfriends alone, will they be safe enough to do that in South Africa?
I love the diversity in culture that they will be able to experience but is it worth the risk to them?

I am also concerned about how difficult it will be for me to find a job.

There is a huge part of me that is excited at the experience that may lie ahead, but scared just the same.

Thanks again for your insight.
Juliet

[Deepdiver47]

Juliet, I have girls from my first marriage, eldest is working in London UK my 19 year old is at Rhodes university in Grahamstown in res. No worries at all . . I live in Camps Bay and the lifestyle is all you can imagine. We cant always go everywhere with our kids (my now family girls are 6 and 3) but they regularly walk around Camps Bay with our maid, walk to the shops, swings and beach.

I think that I do worry, but no more than any other parent. I think that an ever alert sense that come from 13 years in the police also helps . .

I'm pretty sure that the job thing is going to be difficult, though.

[Juliet]

Deepdiver, thank you once again for your response...Much appreciated.
Still wondering though how you keep two 13 year old curious girls safe in such a seemingly hostile environment?!
How do they get to explore their youth if they are scared to death to go anywhere (or I am to scared to let them)?!

I have been reading how difficult it is for expats to find work if they are not directly going to a place within S.A. I am a licensed massage therapist here in the states and was hoping to continue my work if we were to move. What obstacles must I get by to do so?

Another question... How prevalent is the HIV/AIDS epidemic and do we need to be overly cautious with this as well?

What are good areas/safer areas around Cape Town to live in?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Juliet

[Deepdiver47]

Hi Juliet. I'll answer what I can . .

You can keep them as safe as anywhere else, I think. You can coccoon them and not allow them to experience anything and they will be safe and fine, or allow them some room to experience life or let them do what they want and they may grow up well enriched, or may not grow up at all! I think my point is that its a trade off, and not really any more a trade off here than anywhere else. It has a lot to do with the area. We live in a great residential area. Its not crime free but there are no gangs, violence or street crime. Most crime in our area is what would be termed petty house breaking. There is a high school here in Camps Bay and the kids wander into school, out, onto the beach after school, catch taxis home, it all seems pretty normal. I do know that there are bad areas, obviously, but not close to here and, in fairness, that been the same everywhere I have lived. Just dont go there. Duh . .

HIV/AIDS is an issue, but more in the townships, black population - no, thats not right - more low socio/economic groups. You have to teach your kids the basics - think carefully about sex. NO unprotected sex EVER. EVER! I've been here for nearly twenty years, own a large company with a lot of employees and the only person I've ever personally known die of aids was a friend from New York . .

There are lots of good and safe areas. You would have to get here and see what suits your budget. I have managers in all income brackets and they have all found good places to live with good schools nearby.

Your first few months would be the most telling - you'd probably all want to go and explore new places together, so the excitement and 'newness' would be the driving factor. After that when the girls want to go places on their own it would become more telling. You probably take them, hang around somewhere nearish, (everyone has cellphones) and pick them up when they are done. This, if (it should) all goes well, relaxes a bit over time.

Again, IT IS NOT crime free. houses are broken into, cars are hijacked, people killed for a phone or a wallet. but it is very demographic and geographic. I am careful but live a full life. You could too.

[Juliet]

So it sounds to me as though it is all common sense and things that you might experience ANYWHERE you live. I do appreciate your time and input.
Are there particular areas around Cape Town that you would suggest as good places to live/raise a family?

Also...What about the "job" prospects for myself?

We are hoping to come for a visit in the next few weeks and see/experience everything first hand.

Thanks again,
Juliet