Considering Move to Cape Town frm US

[RIKKA]

All,

We are considering a move from USA (we are American) to Cape Town. I have been doing business there for over a year, and am exploring taking a position with a company there.

I am curious around several topics.

Wife and child, what are the concerns and pitfalls you can point out regarding a 10 yr old and Wife moving to CT.

Best private school, any recommendations on what the top schools are?

Great neighborhoods to consider, I will be working downtown. (prefer a yard, not apartment)

Any thoughts on what we will miss most, or have trouble adjusting to?

I guess that is a start, we are still in negotiationson this, but want to aleivate some stress on the decision to move my family to CT.

Thanks for any insight.

[Stravinsky]

You may certainly have to adjust to a different level of personal security there from what I have seen on other forums

[Americanmade]

Just respect and help the Blacks who have suffered tremendously, dont forget what has happened to them and dont get comfortable with all the racism.

[livialen]

Sorry to say racisim now goes in the opposite direction. But please, if you don't believe me, go see for yourself. If you are dark, you certainly should move to SA- great opportunities for you. If you are white like I am, if you need a job you'll need to get used to having the phone put down on you the minute they hear your voice, with the usual "Affermative Action only". No job opportunity (yet I am rather qualified) made me leave SA.

[Michele-In-SA]

Originally Posted by RIKKA

All,

We are considering a move from USA (we are American) to Cape Town. I have been doing business there for over a year, and am exploring taking a position with a company there.

I am curious around several topics.

Wife and child, what are the concerns and pitfalls you can point out regarding a 10 yr old and Wife moving to CT.

Best private school, any recommendations on what the top schools are?

Great neighborhoods to consider, I will be working downtown. (prefer a yard, not apartment)

Any thoughts on what we will miss most, or have trouble adjusting to?

I guess that is a start, we are still in negotiationson this, but want to aleivate some stress on the decision to move my family to CT.

Thanks for any insight.

Hi Rikka

South Africa's job opportunities for whites are minimal but if you already have a sound job offer you can't go wrong. There are many disadvantages to moving to SA but there are as many advantages. It all depends on your personal outlook and your heart's desire. If it is truly what you want, then i would say go for it! Adjustments would include a greater awareness of security, yes, but again, it depends in what area you live in. I live in Somerset West and the crime here is minimal. It happens yes, but is few and far between.

Try and chat to Expats in South Africa to get a clearer picture of what you might expect.

If i can help with anything please just give me a shout.

[mike9999]

Originally Posted by RIKKA

All,

We are considering a move from USA (we are American) to Cape Town. I have been doing business there for over a year, and am exploring taking a position with a company there.

I am curious around several topics.

Wife and child, what are the concerns and pitfalls you can point out regarding a 10 yr old and Wife moving to CT.

Best private school, any recommendations on what the top schools are?

Great neighborhoods to consider, I will be working downtown. (prefer a yard, not apartment)

Any thoughts on what we will miss most, or have trouble adjusting to?

I guess that is a start, we are still in negotiationson this, but want to aleivate some stress on the decision to move my family to CT.

Thanks for any insight.

You do not necessarily need a private school, some public schools (Ones called Former model C schools) keep equivalent standards and have great facilities at a fraction of the price. A lot of these are quite far out in the suburbs though. If you want private schools though you could consider Bishops(A top private school and also one of only 4 schools in the world that can award Rhodes scholarships to its former pupils)

[neonoceans]

Do yourself a favour . Think very carefully about your budget. South Africa is no longer cheap in Dollar terms. Your family will have to adjust to a completely different lifestyle and where you live and where you send your progny to school depends entirely on how much money you have.
You have literally zero chance of getting them into any of the top schools because there's been waiting lists for years.- But there is the American International school and the British one. There's a whole host of fairly good private schools- but forget about getting the top ones. SA residents get first dibs. Sorry.
That said there are about 4,000 Americans living in Cape Town either as residents, retirees, on work permits or as US consular employees. The US consular employees get the best selection of rental homes available in gated communities in the Southern Suburbs and if you are based in town you might want to consider the Atlantic Seaboard if you are very cash flush, or if you are not cash flush then, it's the Northern Suburbs or Southern suburbs for you. Best of luck in your decision. Leave your Paranoia at home. SA is a wonderful place to live and bring up children if you choose to make it so.
Africa is not for Sissies, but then again, Cape Town isn't really Africa...

[Deepdiver47]

Hi. Considering that this is nearly a year old let me know what you've done-doing. If you're still thinking about it I can certainly offer advice.

[Elise]

All,

We are considering a move from USA (we are American) to Cape Town. I have been doing business there for over a year, and am exploring taking a position with a company there.

I am curious around several topics.

Wife and child, what are the concerns and pitfalls you can point out regarding a 10 yr old and Wife moving to CT.
BE SURE THAT YOUR WIFE WILL LEARN HOW TO DRIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD HERE AND HAS A CAR. VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN A SENSE OF FREEDOM.

Best private school, any recommendations on what the top schools are?
ST CYPRIANS IS A GOOD ONE IN THE CITY - GIRLS ONLY THOUGH

Great neighborhoods to consider, I will be working downtown. (prefer a yard, not apartment)
HIGGOVALE IN THE CITY IS GREAT AS IS ORANJEZICHT - DON'T DO DEVILS PEAK OR LOWER GARDENS - MORE CRIME THERE

Any thoughts on what we will miss most, or have trouble adjusting to?
THE INCREDIBLY HIGH AMOUNT OF SECURITY YOU WILL NEED. YOU WILL ALSO BE ALMOST GUARANTEED TO BE BROKEN INTO AT SOME POINT - YOUR APT, YOUR CAR, MUGGED, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT MAY NOT BE VIOLENT, BUT YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS. OF COURSE TAKE ALL THE NORMAL PRECAUTIONS, BUT I WAS SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT ON A CITY STREET LAST YEAR AND THESE THINGS CAN AND DO HAPPEN. SO, BE PREPARED MENTALLY FOR IT.

I guess that is a start, we are still in negotiationson this, but want to aleivate some stress on the decision to move my family to CT.
I'VE BEEN HERE 4+ YRS IN CAPE TOWN PROPER WITH HUSBAND AND CHILD - LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY MORE HELP! ELISE

Thanks for any insight.

[Deepdiver47]

Both my daughters, 6 and 3 (the baby starts at the end of this year) are at/going to St Cyprians. Having lived in a number of countries I found it to be one of the best schools I have ever seen. The education and culture is impeccable and, as we plan our departure, its one of the things I will miss most. Its not cheap, I think we pay about R5000 per month all in for a day schooler but it really is money well spent, simply attending an assembly in the chapel, or watching a ballet lesson makes you feel privelidged to be there. I know the waiting list in extensive, so if you want to get your girl in start applying as soon as possible.

I'm not doing the crime thing, again, you must have got the general understanding of that by now. .