[lom]

Hi all.
I have followed this forum for quite a while now but just signed up.

I am planning a move to WC from the UK with my fiance (he is from CT area originally) and my 8 year old daughter. (want to come over Jun/Jul/Aug)

We actually did talk about moving over last year but after reading every forum discussion and crime stats under the sun I lost my nerves and backed out...

I have however found my courage and am desperate for a life change. I want to experience something new and want my daughter to be able to enjoy a more active outdoor lifestyle. Australia is not an option and my partner has family and social network in SA so it seems like a natural option for us.

Obviously I don't want this on the expense of our lives and I do admit that the risk factor scares me A LOT... I am though hoping that the positives outweigh the negatives?

Bottom line.. I really would appreciate all the advise you can give me.

We have found 2 houses. One in Somerset West (bottom of Helena Heights) and one in Gordons Bay (Mountain side)

I have fallen in love with the house in Somerset West but I am thinking Gordons Bay might be the safer option?

I have read all the negative comments (hard to ignore) but I would like some practical advice which will help me make a decision and hopefully overcome my worries.
I do appreciate it
Lx

 

[arnaud]

I would defintely move from UK to WC.

Somerset West is a good option, but it depends where you work.

Somerset West is also an european centric area, so if you are looking for a change of your life style, you will be disappointed. This is touristic, safe enough to settle in.

South Africa has big challenges, but the political situation seems better than 1 year ago. Crime is a big issue, but mainly concentrated on specific areas such as townships (I would say 90% of the crimes are committed in the Townships).

If you plan to go to Joburg for a visit, please take advice from your fiance.

Also, Western Cape is certainly the best managed province in South Africa. Service Delivery works.

Hope it helps

 

[satori]

I'm reading responses to your questions with interest Iom, because sometimes what I read and hear is very frightening and like you scares me a lot too.

Several times I have questioned my judgement about leaving the UK - even if only on a part time basis.

I visit CT every year and I am more vigilant than I am here. I'm quicker to check out any noise that sounds suspicious. I follow general safety rules and never had a problem of any kind. When I read the horror tales and start to fall into the feeling that I will be lucky to escape with my life - this helps me re-balance my fears.

I don't know why but whenever I am here from a distance it's as though I lose my perspective...and it can all look awfully dire. Then off I go and it is far from dire and I enjoy it so much I don't want to leave!

It may be different once I live there for more than a few months though...:confused2:

I'm lucky to have family in CT - a large family, and aside from my mum getting her handbag stolen by a white man quite recently from under the table in a restaurant, they are all alive and kicking...touchwood. To date none of my family have had their houses cleaned out but recently family friends got held up by a bunch of men posing as security guards and they were robbed but not hurt. That is pretty upsetting but I know I can't wear rose tinted glasses, it happens from time to time.

Being aware of the risks one hopes one can lessen them somewhat. The majority of the people I know down there have been fine and lead quality lives.

I have friends in Somerset West - it is a nice area. They commute to CT city daily - a bit of a drive.

Not sure about Gordons bay - I have only been there a couple of times.

Good luck with everything!

 

[lom]

further questions

I would defintely move from UK to WC.

Somerset West is a good option, but it depends where you work.

Somerset West is also an european centric area, so if you are looking for a change of your life style, you will be disappointed. This is touristic, safe enough to settle in.

South Africa has big challenges, but the political situation seems better than 1 year ago. Crime is a big issue, but mainly concentrated on specific areas such as townships (I would say 90% of the crimes are committed in the Townships).

If you plan to go to Joburg for a visit, please take advice from your fiance.

Also, Western Cape is certainly the best managed province in South Africa. Service Delivery works.

Hope it helps

Thank you for your positive reply. I am very nervous about this move but at the same time excited...

I have lived in Malaysia,Ecuador and Honduras in the past for a year at a time and have some experience in living cautiously... That was however before I became a mum and with that increased life responsibility there are more things one needs to take into consideration obviously!

I have loads of questions and concerns still and I hope to get more practical advice on this forum.

If I might add some questions?

I am looking for practical advice when it comes to choosing a house..

I have heard it is best to live up hill?

One of the houses I am looking at is at the end of a cul de sac..tucked in there...Is that safer or would that only give me a false sense of security?

Should I only look for houses with an electric gate? (read about chances of getting hijacked when leaving car to open gate etc..)

The house in the cul de sac has got the master bedroom upstairs and all the kids bedrooms downstairs.. Would it be wise to have all bedrooms upstairs?

Gosh, just writing these questions down makes me think this is all a bit insane! Maybe I should chill a bit?

All thoughts on the subject of choosing a house,location, car etc would be very much appreciated...

 

[lom]

I'm reading responses to your questions with interest Iom, because sometimes what I read and hear is very frightening and like you scares me a lot too.

Several times I have questioned my judgement about leaving the UK - even if only on a part time basis.

I visit CT every year and I am more vigilant than I am here. I'm quicker to check out any noise that sounds suspicious. I follow general safety rules and never had a problem of any kind. When I read the horror tales and start to fall into the feeling that I will be lucky to escape with my life - this helps me re-balance my fears.

I don't know why but whenever I am here from a distance it's as though I lose my perspective...and it can all look awfully dire. Then off I go and it is far from dire and I enjoy it so much I don't want to leave!

It may be different once I live there for more than a few months though...:confused2:

I'm lucky to have family in CT - a large family, and aside from my mum getting her handbag stolen by a white man quite recently from under the table in a restaurant, they are all alive and kicking...touchwood. To date none of my family have had their houses cleaned out but recently family friends got held up by a bunch of men posing as security guards and they were robbed but not hurt. That is pretty upsetting but I know I can't wear rose tinted glasses, it happens from time to time.

Being aware of the risks one hopes one can lessen them somewhat. The majority of the people I know down there have been fine and lead quality lives.

I have friends in Somerset West - it is a nice area. They commute to CT city daily - a bit of a drive.

Not sure about Gordons bay - I have only been there a couple of times.

Good luck with everything!

Thank you for your reply! Are you moving back? With family?
Hope to hear more about it if so Really need some more positive/real comments to help me feel at ease..

Ahh sorry, I see now that you are in SA... You say you are more vigilant when in CT..May I ask where you live?

 

[satori]

Thank you for your reply! Are you moving back? With family?
Hope to hear more about it if so Really need some more positive/real comments to help me feel at ease..

Ahh sorry, I see now that you are in SA... You say you are more vigilant when in CT..May I ask where you live?

Hiya

I'm not there yet but will be around the 27th of this month with any luck!

I'll be staying with family at first, in Lakeside, near Muizenberg, but hope to find a place to rent once I know for sure how long we'll be there for.

I'm shooting for a 6-8 month stay yearly with the rest of the time spent here in the UK...but still not sure if this is ultimately going to work out from my husbands work point of view.

I'll definately keep everyone posted about how things do - or do not progress once I am there!

When are you planning to go over?

 

[lom]

Hiya

I'm not there yet but will be around the 27th of this month with any luck!

I'll be staying with family at first, in Lakeside, near Muizenberg, but hope to find a place to rent once I know for sure how long we'll be there for.

I'm shooting for a 6-8 month stay yearly with the rest of the time spent here in the UK...but still not sure if this is ultimately going to work out from my husbands work point of view.

I'll definately keep everyone posted about how things do - or do not progress once I am there!

When are you planning to go over?

Wow that is in few days time! Look forward to following your journey on here and hope it works out for you!

We are planning a move over this summer, it might be June or July if all works out... :confused2:

 

[arnaud]

Thank you for your positive reply. I am very nervous about this move but at the same time excited...

I have lived in Malaysia,Ecuador and Honduras in the past for a year at a time and have some experience in living cautiously... That was however before I became a mum and with that increased life responsibility there are more things one needs to take into consideration obviously!

I have loads of questions and concerns still and I hope to get more practical advice on this forum.

If I might add some questions?

I am looking for practical advice when it comes to choosing a house..

I have heard it is best to live up hill?

One of the houses I am looking at is at the end of a cul de sac..tucked in there...Is that safer or would that only give me a false sense of security?

Should I only look for houses with an electric gate? (read about chances of getting hijacked when leaving car to open gate etc..)

The house in the cul de sac has got the master bedroom upstairs and all the kids bedrooms downstairs.. Would it be wise to have all bedrooms upstairs?

Gosh, just writing these questions down makes me think this is all a bit insane! Maybe I should chill a bit?

All thoughts on the subject of choosing a house,location, car etc would be very much appreciated...

Hard to answer these questions. No need for electric gate here, but it could ,help you in being more comfortable. As for bedrooms, I would prefer having the kids bedrooms upstairs.

Regards,

Arnaud

 

[WhenweB]

Those are both safe ish areas as far as I know - also Stellenbosch is very nice but as mentioned before it depends on where you are working. If you are working in Cape Town then perhaps Milnerton / Blouberg (good private schools there) / Table View may be an option. Cape Town is so lovely and we are hoping to go back this year too. Also got an 8 year old daughter so totally understand where you are coming from when you say its a big decision. Not easy to uproot them without knowing they will be better off. I have exactly the same concerns as you (well perhaps not about which floor the bedrooms are on as probably only getting a 3 bed bungalow style house but I would definitely want the kids on the same floor as me if I had a double storey house!) so reading these posts with interest. Hope all goes well and please do keep us posted on how things pan out. Good luck.

 

[satori]

I don't think an electric gate is essential in some areas , but they are convienient!

We had one years ago in Jo'burg before CT started using them.


I'm with everyone above about having the children on the top floor or on the same floor as you are, that would be my preference too.

I feel for you & WhenweB, having young children makes things more complicated. I came to the UK with a 6, 7 and 11 year old. At the time it was a huge shock for them - they had a fantastic younger childhood splashing about in the pool, enjoying lot's of sunshine and living active outdoor lives. I hope your children will have these benefit's too...it's a lovely life for children.

Mine are very happy here now and totally integrated young adults all living their own lives to the full - but it is hard to think of leaving them even though I plan to straddle the UK & SA if I can.

Guess it is not easy either way...but of late I do wonder if I have done the right thing because now my family will be fragmented again...*sigh*:confused2:

Can only hope they will come to us for holidays and that somehow we will make it work as best we can...I'm sure we will find a way forwards.

Guess what I am trying to say (badly) is it is never easy when it comes to one's children - one can only do what one feels in ones heart is best and then go from there.

 

[WhenweB]

I don't think an electric gate is essential in some areas , but they are convienient!

We had one years ago in Jo'burg before CT started using them.


I'm with everyone above about having the children on the top floor or on the same floor as you are, that would be my preference too.

I feel for you & WhenweB, having young children makes things more complicated. I came to the UK with a 6, 7 and 11 year old. At the time it was a huge shock for them - they had a fantastic younger childhood splashing about in the pool, enjoying lot's of sunshine and living active outdoor lives. I hope your children will have these benefit's too...it's a lovely life for children.

Mine are very happy here now and totally integrated young adults all living their own lives to the full - but it is hard to think of leaving them even though I plan to straddle the UK & SA if I can.

Guess it is not easy either way...but of late I do wonder if I have done the right thing because now my family will be fragmented again...*sigh*:confused2:

Can only hope they will come to us for holidays and that somehow we will make it work as best we can...I'm sure we will find a way forwards.

Guess what I am trying to say (badly) is it is never easy when it comes to one's children - one can only do what one feels in ones heart is best and then go from there.

Absolutely and I am sure that your children who are now adults are very close to you because they know you always did what you felt was right for them and it has worked out for you all which is wonderful. I know what you mean about having a fragmented family but you know - I honestly don't think that distance is the issue when it comes to closeness of family members. My husband's family are an hour away and we hardly ever see them because they are so wrapped up in their own lives. My mom lives in Cape Town whilst I am in UK and we see her every year when she comes here (much cheaper to fly her here than for us to go to SA as a family during school holidays) and every alternate Christmas when we go to Cape Town to see her and my brother. We are very close and text most days and if you are all on Skype you will find communicating in the months that you are in different countries quite easy. My daughter is much closer to her gran in CT than to her Nan in Uk purely because Granny is more interested in her and spends quality time with her rather than make an occasional effort when we do get in-laws to see us on Mothers' Day, Birthdays etc or whenever my husband's brother and sister aren't around to keep them entertained!!! Gosh no psychosis there at all is there??!!! Anyway good luck with your move and I do hope it works out for your family. They will love having holidays in SA I am sure and you will be back here before you know it for your "UK months".

 

[RAVB]

moving from India to Cape Town

Hi,

I have been following several forums and have got a lot of information which has been very helpful....thank you.

I was born in jo'burg and moved to India when i was 4.I still hold a south african passport. I am now planning to move back to SA and settle down in cape town. I have been there several times (including during the world cup ) and have enjoyed the place alot.

I plan to start a fashion clothing/fabric business as i have a lot of experience in that field.

My biggest concern (like many other people) is safety.
I know that it is not as crazy as people make it out to be. Ive never had any bad experiences during my previous visits.

what are the safest places to live, near the beach.?
I have been looking at houses/apartments in camps bay which i plan to go see during my next visit.Is it safe?
what are the safest areas to work?

I would appreciate any advise.

Thank you
RAVB

 

[kingofthecastle]

Hi,

I have been following several forums and have got a lot of information which has been very helpful....thank you.

I was born in jo'burg and moved to India when i was 4.I still hold a south african passport. I am now planning to move back to SA and settle down in cape town. I have been there several times (including during the world cup ) and have enjoyed the place alot.

I plan to start a fashion clothing/fabric business as i have a lot of experience in that field.

My biggest concern (like many other people) is safety.
I know that it is not as crazy as people make it out to be. Ive never had any bad experiences during my previous visits.

what are the safest places to live, near the beach.?
I have been looking at houses/apartments in camps bay which i plan to go see during my next visit.Is it safe?
what are the safest areas to work?

I would appreciate any advise.

Thank you
RAVB

Anywhere in Cape Town other than a shanty town is pretty safe. Hardly anywhere by that description is cheap though.

 

[WhenweB]

Hi,

I have been following several forums and have got a lot of information which has been very helpful....thank you.

I was born in jo'burg and moved to India when i was 4.I still hold a south african passport. I am now planning to move back to SA and settle down in cape town. I have been there several times (including during the world cup ) and have enjoyed the place alot.

I plan to start a fashion clothing/fabric business as i have a lot of experience in that field.

My biggest concern (like many other people) is safety.
I know that it is not as crazy as people make it out to be. Ive never had any bad experiences during my previous visits.

what are the safest places to live, near the beach.?
I have been looking at houses/apartments in camps bay which i plan to go see during my next visit.Is it safe?
what are the safest areas to work?

I would appreciate any advise.

Thank you
RAVB

Cape Town safest in places like Stellenbosch or the Atlantic Seaboard (Milnerton / Table View / Blaauberg) rather than Southern Suburbs (Wynberg / Claremont etc). I would do a lot of research into the viability of the clothing industry - when I went to CT in December the Chinese had totally saturated this market with cheap clothing. I was told the idea behind selling it so cheap was to crash the SA clothing industry, get the monopoly then increase the prices when they had the market share - not sure how true this is just something you may want to investigate before moving there. Camps Bay quite safe but very expensive and quite commercialised / touristy. Nice area though. Good luck.

 

[vegasboy]

Cape Town safest in places like Stellenbosch or the Atlantic Seaboard (Milnerton / Table View / Blaauberg) rather than Southern Suburbs (Wynberg / Claremont etc). I would do a lot of research into the viability of the clothing industry - when I went to CT in December the Chinese had totally saturated this market with cheap clothing. I was told the idea behind selling it so cheap was to crash the SA clothing industry, get the monopoly then increase the prices when they had the market share - not sure how true this is just something you may want to investigate before moving there. Camps Bay quite safe but very expensive and quite commercialised / touristy. Nice area though. Good luck.

The golden rule is to do your homework well. There are places that are outright a no-no, i.e. Parklands near Table View etc.

I have read the OP's post and although some on this forum, including me, discourage people to move to South Africa, you should remember that it is our opinion based on many factors, some personal experiences. We want to inform people so they can make an informed decision.

I sensed a fear in the OP's post and would like to encourage you not to After long and thorough consideration you have made the decision to move to South Africa, and you alone know what the best decision for you and your loved ones are. If you follow the general rules, and don't become blazé over time when it comes to issues like safety etc. you should be o.k.

Living in Somerset West and having to travel to Cape Town daily is not a good idea. I would rather look at the southern suburbs. Many (Afrikaans) people live in the northern suburbs where real estate is generally cheaper than the southern suburbs. There are very nice and upmarket areas in the northern suburbs too, but the southern suburbs would be my preference. Enjoy.

 

[WhenweB]

The golden rule is to do your homework well. There are places that are outright a no-no, i.e. Parklands near Table View etc.

I have read the OP's post and although some on this forum, including me, discourage people to move to South Africa, you should remember that it is our opinion based on many factors, some personal experiences. We want to inform people so they can make an informed decision.

I sensed a fear in the OP's post and would like to encourage you not to After long and thorough consideration you have made the decision to move to South Africa, and you alone know what the best decision for you and your loved ones are. If you follow the general rules, and don't become blazé over time when it comes to issues like safety etc. you should be o.k.

Living in Somerset West and having to travel to Cape Town daily is not a good idea. I would rather look at the southern suburbs. Many (Afrikaans) people live in the northern suburbs where real estate is generally cheaper than the southern suburbs. There are very nice and upmarket areas in the northern suburbs too, but the southern suburbs would be my preference. Enjoy.

That's interesting Vegasboy - what is wrong with Parklands? Not arguing just that was one of the areas we were considering as the International School is near there so I am keen to hear why it's a no-no area please. My brother is in Sanddrift / Milnerton and seems okay there but I haven't been to Parklands and don't actually know what its like. Thanks.

 

[RAVB]

Hi WhenWeB,

Thank you very much for the information.I appreciate it .

I am planning a trip to cape town in the next couple of months to study the viability of the clothing industry.I will then take a call.

Thank you once again

 

[samsings]

Hi WhenWeB,

Thank you very much for the information.I appreciate it .

I am planning a trip to cape town in the next couple of months to study the viability of the clothing industry.I will then take a call.

Thank you once again

My two cents. The S.A government is heavily taxing clothing imports to ewncourage local textiles to rejuvinate. Add to that in china and India the workers are demanding higher wages and less working hours and there is much discontent in that arena. I think you won't do badly with your plan to start a clothing line here at all.

 

[vegasboy]

That's interesting Vegasboy - what is wrong with Parklands? Not arguing just that was one of the areas we were considering as the International School is near there so I am keen to hear why it's a no-no area please. My brother is in Sanddrift / Milnerton and seems okay there but I haven't been to Parklands and don't actually know what its like. Thanks.

I have family living in Parklands who recently sold their house and another family member trying to get out.

WhenweB, I prefer not to give my personal opinion on the state of affairs in Parklands, but read through these posts from another unrelated forum to get an idea. It is referred to as Little Lagos and other names.... CARforums.co.za - View topic - Att off CapeTronites

 

[DonoZA]

My advice: don't do it. An entire generation of the white population (who have left since '94, more in the last few years) can't be wrong.