Emigrating to South Africa, have to be mad?
Discussion
Two sets of South African friends of ours have recently "returned home" after living in the UK for a number of years.
One set moved to Durbans South Coast, the others to the Western Cape (outside of Cape Town, probably an hours drive up the Western Coast). Speaking to them, it seems they are really happy, and are very glad to have made the move back.
It got me and the missus to thinking what sort of lifestyle we could have over there, particularly given we would be able to buy a reasonably nice house outright. From a bit of googling it seems the Western Cape is the safest part of SA, and for the most part remains safe from the violent crime that seems so apparent in the rest of the country.
They have kids, and mentioned semi private schooling is all the rage, and offers a decent standard of education. The weather is obviously a massive pull, and if we could live in a safe area with access to the beaches and potentially Cape Town for work, then it looks like a decent proposition.
We have three young kids though which is my major concern, I don't want to introduce them to the increased risk of crime, although given how things are going this side of the pond Im not sure the UK offers a safe and secure future anymore anyway.
So what are peoples thoughts on the country as it is now, and it's future? Have any of you gone back/emigrated and loved or hated it? Im not looking for the land of milk and honey, I appreciate everywhere has good and bad points, but a warm climate where the kids can play outside, swim, and go to the beach is definitely appealing.
Let me know what you think.
One set moved to Durbans South Coast, the others to the Western Cape (outside of Cape Town, probably an hours drive up the Western Coast). Speaking to them, it seems they are really happy, and are very glad to have made the move back.
It got me and the missus to thinking what sort of lifestyle we could have over there, particularly given we would be able to buy a reasonably nice house outright. From a bit of googling it seems the Western Cape is the safest part of SA, and for the most part remains safe from the violent crime that seems so apparent in the rest of the country.
They have kids, and mentioned semi private schooling is all the rage, and offers a decent standard of education. The weather is obviously a massive pull, and if we could live in a safe area with access to the beaches and potentially Cape Town for work, then it looks like a decent proposition.
We have three young kids though which is my major concern, I don't want to introduce them to the increased risk of crime, although given how things are going this side of the pond Im not sure the UK offers a safe and secure future anymore anyway.
So what are peoples thoughts on the country as it is now, and it's future? Have any of you gone back/emigrated and loved or hated it? Im not looking for the land of milk and honey, I appreciate everywhere has good and bad points, but a warm climate where the kids can play outside, swim, and go to the beach is definitely appealing.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for the responses, I think for my kids future we are better off here, since the more I research the state of the economy and services, the more it does look like it is in a downward spiral, and I am not sure the people who could slow the spiral are equipped to do so.
It's a pity as it's an amazing place with so much potential, very sad to see how it seems to be going now.
It's a pity as it's an amazing place with so much potential, very sad to see how it seems to be going now.
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