Deciding on Capetown

[Juliet]

Hello everyone,

I have been on here many times attempting to get input into life in Capetown South Africa. I have gotten such "mixed reviews" on the entire topic. I will be arriving in Capetown for a visit so we can see it for ourselves. I continue to be very concerned in regards to the safety issue for myself and my twin 13 year old daughters.
Just wondering if anyone has last minute advice for us prior to our "adventure" into South Africa?

ANY help/input would be greatly appreciated. I wish I could just go with the flow and know that three years in Capetown would be nothing but an incredible cultural experience for my children,myself and my husband; however, I am being given so many grim details of life there that I no longer know.

Thanks for your help,
Juliet

[Kansaag]

Hi
Cape Town is fairly safe. Watch your handbag or mobile. Don't just left it on a coffee table in the restaurant. Walk, eat-out and traveling during day-time is safe. If you go out at night time - go to places where there are lots of people - Malls, waterfront, etc. It all depends on where (suburb/town) you are going to live. Could you give me an indication to assist you more?
Cheers

[Juliet]

We are hoping to make that decision during our visit. I do know that there is an american private international school in Constantine, but that is about it. It is not absolutely necessary for us to be close to my husbands work. It is more important that we remain in a safe/comfortable area.
Chantal offered many good suggestions in regards to possible places to move. GREEN POINT, SEA POINT, CONSTANTINE, CAMPS BAY. We are open for more suggestions as to the areas to look at.

We also hope to take the girls to a game park while there, is this a safe thing for us to do.?

Thanks,
Juliet

[Kansaag]

Hi
I think it is a brilliant idea to come and look for yourself! Nobody can really explain to you, as it is, but I try!

Constantia is beautiful if you prefer nature - large stands and houses and lots of trees. Camps Bay, Seapoint and Green point is close to the sea (or many houses/apartments overlooking the sea/beach). Cape Town has lots of private schools and education is of a high standard.

It is very safe to go to any game park or Nature Reserve, or to the beach. Even at Cape Point (which is 20min drive from Contantia), its safe to take the kids for walks or a picnic, or stop at Bolders and walk along the beach to see the pelicans. Walking on your own in remote areas, is a problem. But then, normal people don't walk/jog alone in remote areas.

Like in any city in the world, traffic during peak times can be hectic - keep it in mind when you start looking around for a place to stay. Sundays is showhouse day in Cape (2 - 5pm) - if you want to get an idea of where to live, and what is available - speak to the Real Estate Agent on duty - they are (normally) a good source, for all you need to know, about the area re schools, shops, clubs, crime, weather, what to do/see. You can also pop in at any Real Estate office in the location that you are interested in, and ask the Realtor on duty for info regarding the area.

Also buy the Weekend Argus newspaper on the Saturday (once you are here), which will give you more info about Cape Town. Cape Town is still one of the most beautiful places in the world - very close to beaches, mountains, winelands and the whales to explore - nothing in the world can prepare you for this wonderful relax scenery. Thousands of tourists visit South Africa every year, and most of them, return. I am sure, once you are here, you would love it. Go to the school and ask to be introduced to parents, that lives in the same area, who's kids are the same age as yours. Then ask them as much as you can!

If you are worried about the crime - lots of what you see in your part of the world happens in the "townships", where poverty, drugs, liquor and violence has an influence - as any many big cities all over the world.

Hope this helps. If you could give more or less an indication of where your husband will be working re City/univercity/etc - I can advise you, which areas will be suitable.

Regards
S

[Juliet]

My husbands job would be in Ottery. We were told to stay away from that area in regards to housing.
I think I would prefer to be closer to the water.

Thank you so very much for all your help!
Juliet

[Kansaag]

Hi
You are right about Ottery. I can recommend Constantia & Bishopscourt (upper end of the Property Market), but can also recommend Tokai, Bergvliet, Newlands (mid end to upper end of market )– the American School is in Tokai. Camps Bay & Sea Point is to far away. Just keep in mind that all these places are within 15 min drive to the sea. If you would like to stay close to the beach – Hout Bay will be the closest. Just keep in mind, with the beach comes the summer winds! I will enclose a map - see the attachment The green areas are mountains. Get more info on the Pam Golding Properties website - southern suburbs for more info and rentals. They are the biggest Real Estate Company in SA and well known in that area.
S

[Kansaag]

See larger scale of map on South Africa Accommodation, Hotels / South Africa Travel - southern suburbs map.

[Juliet]

GREAT map, thank you!!
Somebody on here had also mentioned Newlands as a great place to live. I am looking for all of the "safest" neighborhoods that are out there. I seem to be getting more confused.
Thank you for your help.

Juliet

[Kansaag]

Newlands is also the "upper end" - Cape Town is BIG and very western. Have a look on Google Earth. Just keep in mind it is the best 1st world country in Africa - no lions in the streets, less violence/crime than London or New York. Upmarket Malls and fairly good roads -once you here - you will experience a very smiliar lifestyle than where you are now, just in a smaller scale.
Good luck.

[dolliey]

I'm a local who lives about 20 kms outside The Cape town CBD. I've lived all over Cape town for about 42 years now (also in some of those scary areas).

I have to smile when I read posts like this. You can surround yourself with expat paranoia, build high walls and buy a hummer with bulletproof glass. But if you behave like a target/victim, according to popular belief (the secret and others), the laws of attraction will get you. You may never be mugged, but you will always feel powerless.

Your other choice is to get involved in your life, with your spouse, with your children, with their schools, with your neighbours, with a religious/social grouping whatever. Decide to make a difference, help fix just one thing, volunteer at a soup kitchen, form a neighbourhood watch, talk to your neighbours, drink their terrible coffee, laugh at their stupid jokes, mow the sidewalk, plant a tree (arbour week), remove graffiti, remove litter from the beach... anything. “I don't have the time” is not an excuse, how much time does it take to smile, and say something encouraging to a stranger? Give of yourself, not just money.

The latter approach does not guarantee you won't be robbed, but life will seem so different. And you don't have to e/immigrate to try this. If the difference you make seems so small, remember the starfish principle; though small to you, it means a lot to the starfish.

So here's what I'm suggesting. Try to become a local, read what we read or listen to what we talk about.....no, no not the syndicated network junk (SABC, BBC,CNN or equivalent). And venture outside this little insular expat world. Try community radio, or community newspapers (melkbosnews.co.za ; capetalk.co.za) and you may find a completely different perspective, not just on Cape Town , but on life.

Best regards and welcome to Cape Town.