Moving to Cape Town

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 11:08

Hi all,

This is my first post but I usually search on the forum when I have Dubai questions, ie hair stylist, best brunch, etc. However, I need help from you lovely people who have already helped me so much over the years. I have just been informed by my DH that we are looking at a move to Cape Town by June/July. I have so many questions but I will try to keep it as brief as possible.

We are American and have been in Dubai for 4 years. I have a soon-to-be 3 yr old and a 13 month old.

How safe is it for a mom distracted with 2 small kids to do outings on her own? Where are the best places to live? DH will be at the airport for work but his greatest concern is our safety, not commute. Any recommendations for nurseries? Agencies for maids? (We won't need a live in, just PT.) Are there any forums? Websites for mom meet ups? Best place to bank? Will we need direct deposit to get loans? Any other useful info for moving to CPT?

I've read quite a bit already but I need more info. My DH is in CPT now for a few weeks. He will go back and forth until the move. He's taking some time to look at different areas. Any in put is greatly appreciated.

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13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 17:06

Everyone, thank you for your help. Over the weekend, DH received an offer from a US company and after some deliberation, we have decided to return home instead of going to CT. Again, thank you for all the responses.

1848

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 09:39

I have to disagree Muurtje regarding electrical appliances. The range and quality in SA is way better than here in Dubai. The prices are the same as Dubai. In fact most expats in SA would tell you to buy your electrical appliances there as you can get very good deals on brands. Electricity is expensive in SA so adding adaptors and converters to your setup will run up unnecessary costs too. A tumble dryer is defnitely useful for the winter as mentioned as its rainy during June,July and August when its winter there.

833

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 21:58

My in-laws live in Cape Town, or Melkbosstrand to be precise. I like the area a lot, also Durbanville and Blouberg are very nice. Crime rates are lower there. Southern subburbs you will find more high walls etc as it's a wealthier area. Stellenbosch is also great. It's where I met DH so will always be special to me. If I lived there I would have a tumble dryer to use in winter. It can get pretty wet and chilly in the cape. Some kind of heating or a fireplace would be great. Houses there aren't built for the cold. People in CT are great, there is lots to see and do. Eating out is quite cheap, lots of locally produced food and wine!!! BUT things are getting quite expensive, especially in you're earning ZAR. Clothes, furniture (although you can get fantastic secondhand stuff as long as you don't mind retro style), electrical appliances etc etc etc and often the quality is not great. So stock up either here or even better in the US. (Plugs are different to ones here, three prongs but fat round ones. Lots of adapters used for european plugs etc) Good luck with your move!

165

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 18:17

Hi Mamabear, I moved from CPT to Dubai recently and missing Capt Town a LOT! You will so love it there...Just don't be too scared of the stories you hear. A lot of them are told by people who just read figures and never been in CPT. Most of the crime and rape-figures are from within the townships. You do have to be more aware then here in Dubai ofcourse, as majority people is poor and a lot of the crime is 'little"crime (if you leave something visible, they will take it!). Different story for Johannesburg, where there is more crime, I will never ever move there...We lived in the Cape Winelands, Somerset West, 20 min drive from airport and very safe! Lots of good schools (my kids (now 4 and 7y, went to a private school on walking distance). It was a SA school, not an American, not too sure were American schools are located. SSW is a very lovely town, also Stellenbosch, very lovely. There are a lot of things to do for kids, very child friendly country. It is an outside living way-of-life, wine-estates, beaches, mountains, nature, ... People are very down-to-earth, and very helpful..We made friends more easier then we did here... After our Dubai-experience, we can't wait to move back to Cape Town (although we are not South africans). It just feels like our home... Please shout if you need more info! There is a facebook site called 'boere in die woestijn' and it is a facebook site for South africans in the desert, it is mainly in Afrikaans, but maybe you can also post there for help! Goodluck with the move! (jealous)

1848

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 13:46

You can use the same cellphone. Just buy a sim card at Pick and Pay (take your passport along for registration) or Clicks as they have good prices. Its super cheap. Vodacom,Cell C and MTN are the main providers. Laundry you hang outside. It dries quickly. Houses you pay a deposit and one month rental in advance (I'm a landlord). You can pay monthly at a set date into the landlords bank account. They will do a credit history check on you first before you are accepted. On FB type Expat Cape Town. Its a group of expats who are new and some already settled asking questions and helping out and meeting up ;)

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 11:20

Thanks for the information. We have been looking online at houses in the mentioned areas. I have heard rent is similar to here where landlords ask for money up front. Is this true? Is there anything we should know in regards to renting houses? Do they have washer/dryers or do people hang out the laundry? (Lots of questions that I'm sure will be answered when we speak to an agent.) What about cell phones; can we use the same ones from here and just change SIM? Asti, thanks for the websites. It does look like they have a lot of opportunities and fun for the kids. Mik in Dubai, thank you for the agency names. I think, as mentioned, crime happens in all places and I will just have to be on-guard as I am with all places, even here in Dubai. I think my greatest weakness when out is putting kids in carseats. Do you feel that there are safety risks, even if I'm at a shopping center and a bit distracted? I have been told many scary stories and I am hoping they are isolated incidents. But it does make me worry for my children's safety. RuthM, you mention most of your family is in CT. Have they experienced first hand any crime? Again, thanks for all the help given.

1848

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 10:06

Hi all, This is my first post but I usually search on the forum when I have Dubai questions, ie hair stylist, best brunch, etc. However, I need help from you lovely people who have already helped me so much over the years. I have just been informed by my DH that we are looking at a move to Cape Town by June/July. I have so many questions but I will try to keep it as brief as possible. We are American and have been in Dubai for 4 years. I have a soon-to-be 3 yr old and a 13 month old. How safe is it for a mom distracted with 2 small kids to do outings on her own? Where are the best places to live? DH will be at the airport for work but his greatest concern is our safety, not commute. Any recommendations for nurseries? Agencies for maids? (We won't need a live in, just PT.) Are there any forums? Websites for mom meet ups? Best place to bank? Will we need direct deposit to get loans? Any other useful info for moving to CPT? I've read quite a bit already but I need more info. My DH is in CPT now for a few weeks. He will go back and forth until the move. He's taking some time to look at different areas. Any in put is greatly appreciated. The American schools in Cape Town are very good. Most nurseries in Cape Town are very good too. Its a very family and child orientated city and unlike Dubai most of it is free. You will love it there. Southern suburbs (Newlands,Bishops,Constantia,Rondebosch etc.) are where most expats live but a lot are also now living in the Blouberg area however there are no American schools in that area currenlty just one British school. Hout Bay area is also near a good IB school. Depends where your husband will work really. Good luck. You will love it. http://www.capetownkids.co.za/ http://www.houtbay.iesedu.com/# http://www.aisct.org/ edited by Asti on 08/04/2013 <em>edited by Asti on 08/04/2013</em>

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 23:37

Thanks, all, for the replies. As I've said, I have 2 little ones and a DH out of town so I haven't had time to come back to this post. I will try to do so tomorrow.

1042

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 08:58

My family are all mostly in Cape Town. I have a few others around SA but predominantly CT. Personally I would not move to Joburg, before moving to Dubai we were offered Joburg as an alternative and we decided against it (DH travels 50% of the time). But DH would move to CT in a heartbeat. He went there for the first time when we got married and fell in love with the place. It's laid back and with less of the pretension you can sometimes see in Dubai. As for places to live my cousin lives in Constantia which is beautiful although a little far away from the centre and my family came from Rondebosch which also nice and a little closer. One of my other cousins lives in Pinelands which is a bit cheaper and quite a number of retired people (although she likes the school there). My parents lived in Seapoint before moving to the UK but that is mostly high rise. It's not going to be as safe as Dubai. But really in Dubai generally you get in your car, out your home, drive to the mall, go shopping, back in the car and drive home. If you do this in CT you shouldn't have any problems. However you can actually walk around CT (they have pavements and streets!). Just ensure that until you know the nice busy and safe areas you don't wander round too much on your own - much like I would imagine Chicago or New York. I can't say I'm not a little envious it is such a beautiful place in such a beautiful country.

mk-in-dubai36686

323

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 23:05

Forgot to mention - you can try agencies Marvellousmaids.co.za and Mollymaid.co.za But also ask around your neighbours/ friends once you get there to get recommendations. Someone always knows someone looking for part time work (which is legal!) and it's best if a friend has someone they trust... I was unlucky with maids stealing from me (agency and non-agency maids) so I wouldn't leave them alone in the house.

mk-in-dubai36686

323

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 23:00

I'd love to live in CT! Beautiful place, friendly people, relaxed vibe. Yes you need to be careful in certain areas and wouldn't probably go out late at night alone, keep an eye on your stuff etc. I expect you'll meet mums at nursery (church if you're interested is a great way to get connected in the community) - look up 'Moms and Tots' groups etc. Banking - any major banks are fine- Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA, Nedbank. As long as you have an address you should be able to get loans. Sorry I don't know about areas. Post some more questions and we may be able to help :)

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 20:29

Lived in Cape Town for the past four years before moving to dxb and regret leaving everyday!!! Great place to raise kids with lots of freedom and kids can just be kids. We lived in big bay and it was perfectly safe enough for kids to play on the streets. We had a Pt cleaning company that were brilliant and the kids went to a great school that was actually concerned about their education and not making a profit. Yes there are some areas that are better left alone but most residential areas and CBd are perfectly safe to walk around. There are great areas to live in near blouberg, durbanville and the southern suburbs. At the end of the day it will be what you make of it- if you live in preconceived fear and never go out you won't get to experience what an amazing city it is and all that it had to offer

honeymunster71664

18

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 12:45

I lived in Dxb for over 14 years and we moved to SA ,Johannesburg, best moved we ever made :-) we wanted Cape town but no jobs there for hubby, I have friends in CT and love it there, the outdoor life, fresh air and stunning scenery is fab, we do live in a a large compound which is safe and the kids are happy here, schools are good, food and wine is cheap and great, (especially the wine) :-) ` Since moving here I have not felt threatened or vulnerable, even all the guys who sell things at the traffic lights are friendly. dont let people put you off!!! SA is a great place to live, I am more aware of crime here and do take precautions, such as not leaving my bag in the car etc but I wouldnt do that in the UK either.... my housemaid was even attacked in Dubai and ALL my neighbours robbed,,,,,, crime is everywhere and so long as you are aware you will be fine, I havent found a forum yet but just asked people and everyone was so friendly and helped us a lot. Good luck and enjoy CT

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