Just about to move to Cape Town

iainlondon · #1 (**permalink**) 19th June 2009, 06:06 PM

Ok I have read all the posts about South Africa and Cape Town in particular and all I read is horror stories about crime etc… However, most people that are writing either have families or are women who naturally have some very real genuine concerns.

I am 27 year old single male who is being sent down to CT for four months on a short-term project. Obviously I should have concerns, but living in Camps Bay am I going to have a horrid time? Interestingly everyone I speak to who knows me from SA recommends it (even a guy trying to offer me another job for a rival company in Australia) - so there must be some great parts.

So my first question to those in the know is should I think twice - or is worth the four months experience?

My second question is how difficult will it be to integrate? I’m very sociable and love my sport so I am expecting it not to be massively difficult, but then I read “everyone locks down at 6pm“ and it made me think. If I can’t drive to the golf driving range in the evening, watch rugby in a bar or go out and have a coffee without feeling I going to be held at gunpoint on the way home then its going to be a pretty poor four months.

I am a very worldly person so I hope I’m being paranoid, but having read so many posts I want some perspective on my situation.

Any help would be a massive help…

Daxk · #2 (**permalink**) 19th June 2009, 07:30 PM

Iain,as a single male I would advise you to jump at the opportunity.
South Africa and CT in particular are beautiful, the people are friendly (although Capetonians are actually from another planet)
Not everybody gets murdered or shot in a hi-jacking and people do still go out at nights in SA.

If the job had been in Johannesburg, I would have advised against it.
Go, do it, enjoy it.

Zimtony · #3 (**permalink**) 20th June 2009, 09:33 AM

Iain
Cape Town is great fun and will be a blast as a single guy. Like Daxk, I would have advised against Jhb, but go for it, you will enjoy the experience, just remember to be aware and not to place yourself in a vulneable situation. I lived in CT for many years , so if you want any info on golf clubs, sports clubs, good pubs etc, send me a PM.
Cheers
Tony

Iceman1976za · #4 (**permalink**) 22nd June 2009, 12:13 AM

Im glad us Capey's have left an impression on most people. We very laid back, any more laid back and we'd be on the floor. Always there for a smile and I find we have a great sense of humour as well. Still miss the beaches and take aways

capepamela · #5 (**permalink**) 22nd June 2009, 11:22 AM

Iain,
I am a mom who moved three years ago to Cape Town with husband and three kids . Yes, it was an adjustment, but we were from a squeaky-clean suburb in the American mid-west. I love South Africa and am thankful that my kids have been able to experience life here. Yes, crime is a problem, and most of my acquaintances have been victims of crime. We have had our home broken into once ourselves, luckily with no one at home and with little loss. We feed homeless people at our gate often, and know many people who have a very tough life here. Camps Bay must be one of the most awesomely beautiful places in the world. I have young single and married friends who live there and love it. All in all, I think you have an amazing opportunity here...take it.

Halo · #6 (**permalink**) 27th June 2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capepamela

Iain,
I am a mom who moved three years ago to Cape Town with husband and three kids . Yes, it was an adjustment, but we were from a squeaky-clean suburb in the American mid-west. I love South Africa and am thankful that my kids have been able to experience life here. Yes, crime is a problem, and most of my acquaintances have been victims of crime. We have had our home broken into once ourselves, luckily with no one at home and with little loss. We feed homeless people at our gate often, and know many people who have a very tough life here. Camps Bay must be one of the most awesomely beautiful places in the world. I have young single and married friends who live there and love it. All in all, I think you have an amazing opportunity here...take it.

Could you please elaborate on those opportunities please - I'm curious.

Stevan · #7 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iainlondon

Ok I have read all the posts about South Africa and Cape Town in particular and all I read is horror stories about crime etc… However, most people that are writing either have families or are women who naturally have some very real genuine concerns.

I am 27 year old single male who is being sent down to CT for four months on a short-term project. Obviously I should have concerns, but living in Camps Bay am I going to have a horrid time? Interestingly everyone I speak to who knows me from SA recommends it (even a guy trying to offer me another job for a rival company in Australia) - so there must be some great parts.

So my first question to those in the know is should I think twice - or is worth the four months experience?

My second question is how difficult will it be to integrate? I’m very sociable and love my sport so I am expecting it not to be massively difficult, but then I read “everyone locks down at 6pm“ and it made me think. If I can’t drive to the golf driving range in the evening, watch rugby in a bar or go out and have a coffee without feeling I going to be held at gunpoint on the way home then its going to be a pretty poor four months.

I am a very worldly person so I hope I’m being paranoid, but having read so many posts I want some perspective on my situation.

Any help would be a massive help…

Hi

Comming from london you should be wise about city life. If it dont look and feel right dont go into an area. A good dose of common sense works wonders. Have visited cape town with my wife and kids and found it to be a wonderful city. there are places you wouldn't go, as there are in london. Im sure there are as many muggings in London as there are in Cape Town. Go for it and enjoy.

Halo · #8 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevan

Im sure there are as many muggings in London as there are in Cape Town. Go for it and enjoy.

While this "may" be true (could you please provide the stats) - The fact is that in London you generally don't lose your life quite so often.

Daxk · #9 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 11:00 AM

Stevan,I would agree with you that there are many places in the world's Cities that I would'nt go to.
But the fear about crime in SA is'nt about a mere mugging or purse snatch,
its about Home invasions and being taken along in a car jacking.
So its a bit difficult avoiding your home.
and although Car jacking happens World wide as well, it somehow does'nt seem the same passion as in SA.

Stevan · #10 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 01:05 PM

I agree there is a crime problem in South Africa (as there is in many countries arround the world). Anybody reading some of these threads would be forgiven for believing that they are going to mugged by the stewardess as they leave the plane and raped by the pilot on the tarmac. My point is that if yuou take some sensible precautions you can have a fantastic time in South Africa without being scared for life. Many thousands if not millions of tourists visit South Africa every year I would be intrested to know how many of them are victims of crime. It would be intresting to compare it to statistics from a holiday destination like spain.