Safety of Sandton and surrounds - advice please

[arnaud]

Ed,

Sandton is secure area, with western values. read at what Beachi wrote, I think this is one the the best unbiased and interesting post I have read here.

As for Daxk, in every froum involving South Africa you will get tons of answers from prophets of doom. I am still amazed on how some guy can write such racist statements (I don't say Daxk is racist, but some prophets of doom are those worshiping Verwoerd and tne gool old days. Some states Hitler was nicer than Mugabe, for instance)

Make your opinion. There are tons of opportunities in South Africa. But be aware that South Africa is not Australia or Europe (even if in Europe the situation goes worse, especially in UK and Netherlands).

Sandton should be ok, look at what Beachi wrote

[edwardnkathy]

Originally Posted by arnaud

Ed,

Sandton is secure area, with western values. read at what Beachi wrote, I think this is one the the best unbiased and interesting post I have read here.

As for Daxk, in every froum involving South Africa you will get tons of answers from prophets of doom. I am still amazed on how some guy can write such racist statements (I don't say Daxk is racist, but some prophets of doom are those worshiping Verwoerd and tne gool old days. Some states Hitler was nicer than Mugabe, for instance)

Make your opinion. There are tons of opportunities in South Africa. But be aware that South Africa is not Australia or Europe (even if in Europe the situation goes worse, especially in UK and Netherlands).

Sandton should be ok, look at what Beachi wrote

Many thanks for your input - much appreciated
Ed.

[Irish Lout]

Oh dear - I see Mr Facts & Figures / Mr Doom & Gloom eg Daxks is back. Back to strike the fear of God to anyone daring even to consider moving to South Africa - as he sits from his armchair in Ireland for the past 20 years without knowing for himself the reality of living here currently (yes, we can all twist the facts & figures any way we want - not so clever really).

Edward, Im not going to give you 10 "facts" - but pls bear in mind Daxks is a permanent troll on this forum and has scared away many a potential expat with his history lessons and tales from friends - very unfortuante. All I can tell you is I did the research myself and visited Johannesburg to see first hand what life is like down here before I made my decision. I have a wife and a 3 year old daughter and there is no way if i ever felt unsafe would I move my family down here - so you can say Im putting my money where my mouth is.

I love living here, my wife & daughter absolutely love it too. Weather if fantastic, people are friendly and quality of life is second to none - I agree with the earlier post made by beachi.

Yes, safety is a concern and you do need to be vigilant (but not paranoid) and use common sense. I chose to life in Dainfern which is a gated community and feel extremely safe. My wife drives around during the day and schooling for kids is better than anything you would get in the UK.

If you are seriously considering moving here, I strongly recommend you visit for a week or so to get a feel for the place - you also need to ensure your salary provides you the means to live in a safe area, this is key.

snip

Good luck.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Irish Lout

Oh dear - I see Mr Facts & Figures / Mr Doom & Gloom eg Daxks is back. Back to strike the fear of God to anyone daring even to consider moving to South Africa - as he sits from his armchair in Ireland for the past 20 years without knowing for himself the reality of living here currently (yes, we can all twist the facts & figures any way we want - not so clever really).

Edward, Im not going to give you 10 "facts" - but pls bear in mind Daxks is a permanent troll on this forum and has scared away many a potential expat with his history lessons and tales from friends - very unfortuante. All I can tell you is I did the research myself and visited Johannesburg to see first hand what life is like down here before I made my decision. I have a wife and a 3 year old daughter and there is no way if i ever felt unsafe would I move my family down here - so you can say Im putting my money where my mouth is.

I love living here, my wife & daughter absolutely love it too. Weather if fantastic, people are friendly and quality of life is second to none - I agree with the earlier post made by beachi.

Yes, safety is a concern and you do need to be vigilant (but not paranoid) and use common sense. I chose to life in Dainfern which is a gated community and feel extremely safe. My wife drives around during the day and schooling for kids is better than anything you would get in the UK.

If you are seriously considering moving here, I strongly recommend you visit for a week or so to get a feel for the place - you also need to ensure your salary provides you the means to live in a safe area, this is key.

snip

Good luck.

Everyone has a right to their opinion on a forum, both Daxks and you Mr Lout! So avoid using insults, all of you, it can only cause disharmony. State your case quietly and pleasantly!

Thanx


Jo xx

[Daxk]

Irishlout, just a quickie if I may?
"Yes, safety is a concern and you do need to be vigilant (but not paranoid) and use common sense. I chose to life in Dainfern which is a gated community and feel extremely safe. My wife drives around during the day and schooling for kids is better than anything you would get in the UK."

You have to leave Dainfern at times .
Down the road from you is a petrol garage, you and your wife drive past it often.
a lady popped in there within the last 6 weeks to get some Petrol, there was an armed robbery at the time, they shot her because she screamed.
would you like a link to the News reports?
Yes, you pay for your security, but if your child goes to a School or creche outside of your little enclave which has'nt always been safe, and has no guarantee that it will continue, kindly advise why it is necessary for them to have armed security guards at drop off and fetch times?
Why they have the levels of security they have iro of Fencing and the like?

The only reason you are so chirpy,Irishlout is because sofar you have been lucky, and as said before, you could easily cotinue to do so, not everyone gets murdered or raped.
Just enough to raise warning bells.
The OP asked a reasonable answer.
are you guaranteeing that if he follows your advice he and his family will be safe?

BTW, I am South African, left in 2004, been back often since then, talk to people in SA every day.
That was quite a hailstorm today was'nt it?

[Irish Lout]

Daxk - FYI - while we dont live in a bubble we do use our common sense not to venture into parts of Joburg which are not recommended. Wouldnt you do the same in say London or NY?

Here we go - pulling out newspapers and links. The fact is (apologies if I repeat myself but you dont seem to be listening), myself and my family feel safe living here - none of my friends or colleagues at work have experienced any serious crime - does that mean it doesnt exist? No, but for most of us living here we have a pretty good life.

I see you bring my familiy into the discussions again - its the second time you try to get personal. My wife drops my daughter off to school every day & back - we dont need an armed guard and neither do all the mothers of her friends. We love our daughter and feel safe in our environment - and we dont need any "armed guards" - but then again we are living in the year 2009 but 1929 where youre probably sitting on your rocking chair dredging up more "facts".

Im chirpy because I enjoy life, I make the most of what South Africa has to offer. Its not a perfect country but has a hell of a lot going for it. Theres no guarantees in life - you make your own luck and make your own choices.

My advice to prospective expats - dont take my word or Daxks word for it - come and see for yourself - its the only way.

BTW - so you can read a weather forecast or talk to a few war buddies - so what? This makes you an informed source and all your facts & figures magically correct? Time to take down the umbrella, smell the fresh air and open your eyes - its a new world out here, and not the one you left in 1929.

[Daxk]

I see you bring my familiy into the discussions again - its the second time you try to get personal. My wife drops my daughter off to school every day & back - we dont need an armed guard and neither do all the mothers of her friends.

I did'nt bring your family in, you did.

"My wife drives around during the day and schooling for kids is better than anything you would get in the UK."

and no, you are the one who is not reading.
I accep[t that you enjoy the place, I'm grateful as it actually means the my investments continue, but you constantly harp on the fact that because you and your friends have not experienced violent crime, it only exists if you go to a bad area.

Its not my stats or media or facts and figures.

Its the SA Police services Stats that say a hi-jacking or armed robbery or rape happens in the best of suburbs, with the best of security.

Its my and my family and friends experience of living in SA for longer than a wet day that prompts recounting FACTS!

I dont care wether Ed and his family go to SA, I dont care wether you stay or leave.
I would prefer it if you stayed.

but stop this arrogant BS that because Irishlout has'nt experienced anything its all 1929 exageration.


,

[arnaud]

Irish_Lout is right. Crime is an issue off course, however the situation is not as dramatic as quoted in some right-wing forums.
As far as I know, South Africa might have a better future than some western countries :
Debt - external - Country Comparison - TOP 100
Public debt by country. Definition, graph and map.

Lot of opportunities here. It would have been one of the best country in the world without those criminals. Let's hope the situation will improve, there are in this country more hope than many european countries.
South Africa will never be the USA. And you cannot compare South Africa to Australia (Australia does not have neighbour countries like Zimbabwe or Mozambique)

As for Ireland. Daxk, you know this country is backed by the European Union. With the worldwide crisis, the lack of resources such as coal or oil, and the possibility that Turkey will join the EU, the situation is unlikely to improve. However I won't post doom & gloom topics in the Irish forum to convince people to leave or to stay away from Ireland. Everybody thinking of moving to another country knows the challenge. We are old enough

[Daxk]

Arnaud,,Ireland has bigger problems than that,
but we are talking about SA.
The OP asked about safety issues in Sandton,Johannesburg RSA.
Not Dublin or Galway or as Irishlout suggested london or NY.

[jojo]

daxk and Irishlout, you are behaving like a couple of naughty children, now stop it! The question was about safety - so try to offer constructive advise and opinions and quit arguing!

Jo xx