Considering a 1 year move to Johannesburg
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Hi, This is my first post, although I have been visiting often and the lounge is definitely my favourite place to visit. I have a bunch of questions that I hope some of you can help answer. My company is in the midst of finalising a project in Johannesburg. Initial period is about 3 months with the possibility that the client might rope us in for other solutions for a period of 1 year. My problem is that, other than the obvious pieces of information I know next to nothing about SA. The websites that I googled tend to not contain the information that I'm looking for or leave me a little confused. I'm planning on moving with my family as I would love for my kids to get to experience a totally different land and customs from those that they are used to but I'm also worried about their schooling and safety. I have a few questions, answers to which would help me in my discussions with the company. 1) The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe? 2) How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house? 3) How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals? 4) If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my second one if he becomes of schooling age while we are there. Would it be better to place them in a local school or an international school? I've found one website which claims fees as ranging between R10000 to R35000. Is this accurate or outdated information? Most websites indicate that the school year starts in June. Is this correct? I'll appreciate any information that I can get on the above.
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Hi, This is my first post, although I have been visiting often and the lounge is definitely my favourite place to visit. I have a bunch of questions that I hope some of you can help answer. My company is in the midst of finalising a project in Johannesburg. Initial period is about 3 months with the possibility that the client might rope us in for other solutions for a period of 1 year. My problem is that, other than the obvious pieces of information I know next to nothing about SA. The websites that I googled tend to not contain the information that I'm looking for or leave me a little confused. I'm planning on moving with my family as I would love for my kids to get to experience a totally different land and customs from those that they are used to but I'm also worried about their schooling and safety. I have a few questions, answers to which would help me in my discussions with the company. 1) The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe? 2) How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house? 3) How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals? 4) If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my second one if he becomes of schooling age while we are there. Would it be better to place them in a local school or an international school? I've found one website which claims fees as ranging between R10000 to R35000. Is this accurate or outdated information? Most websites indicate that the school year starts in June. Is this correct? I'll appreciate any information that I can get on the above.
Ask your company if they have a relocation person or access to an external company - such people will give you access to the full information you need.
'--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd
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Hi, This is my first post, although I have been visiting often and the lounge is definitely my favourite place to visit. I have a bunch of questions that I hope some of you can help answer. My company is in the midst of finalising a project in Johannesburg. Initial period is about 3 months with the possibility that the client might rope us in for other solutions for a period of 1 year. My problem is that, other than the obvious pieces of information I know next to nothing about SA. The websites that I googled tend to not contain the information that I'm looking for or leave me a little confused. I'm planning on moving with my family as I would love for my kids to get to experience a totally different land and customs from those that they are used to but I'm also worried about their schooling and safety. I have a few questions, answers to which would help me in my discussions with the company. 1) The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe? 2) How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house? 3) How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals? 4) If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my second one if he becomes of schooling age while we are there. Would it be better to place them in a local school or an international school? I've found one website which claims fees as ranging between R10000 to R35000. Is this accurate or outdated information? Most websites indicate that the school year starts in June. Is this correct? I'll appreciate any information that I can get on the above.
Achilles32 wrote:
- The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe?
It quite safe with some basic precautions that wouldn't be necessary in safer arears of SA, or safer countries. Precautions include: Especially for your wife, not driving alone at night. Always being vigilant when driving, when stopped at traffic lights, always be aware of the environment, not the just other vehicles or the radio. Avoid 'deserted' areas. Avoid certain 'bad' areas. The list of such advice goes on, but is full of very similar stuff to this.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house?
Accommodation is generally very affordable, and if I was visiting here for an extended period I would rent an apartment (also known as a flat), or a unit in a secure complex or estate. I think being in a house, you are more 'on your own' w.r.t. safety and security, and will need a good burglar alarm and panic button system, plus a contract with a security company to respond to these systems. Don't expect much from the police. Rentals vary widely between neighborhoods, and a two bedroom house in a 'larney' area could easily set you back R30,000 p/m, while R5,000 p/m will get you a decent 2 bed apartment in most average areas.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals?
In Jo'burg itself, and some areas of other cities that border directly on Jo'burg, such as Randburg, the bus service is quite safe and reliable. In three months I once only waited about two hours for a bus because of strikes. I would, however, not make myself depend on this, and recommend buyingat least one car for the family. Car rentals are very expensive, and very seldom a long term solution in SA. Cars are very expensive as well, but there are good deals to be found. Long term rentals example, for an "Audi A4 or similar", you are looking at R440 p/m plus R3.30 p/km after 3000km.
Achilles32 wrote:
- If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my s
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Achilles32 wrote:
- The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe?
It quite safe with some basic precautions that wouldn't be necessary in safer arears of SA, or safer countries. Precautions include: Especially for your wife, not driving alone at night. Always being vigilant when driving, when stopped at traffic lights, always be aware of the environment, not the just other vehicles or the radio. Avoid 'deserted' areas. Avoid certain 'bad' areas. The list of such advice goes on, but is full of very similar stuff to this.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house?
Accommodation is generally very affordable, and if I was visiting here for an extended period I would rent an apartment (also known as a flat), or a unit in a secure complex or estate. I think being in a house, you are more 'on your own' w.r.t. safety and security, and will need a good burglar alarm and panic button system, plus a contract with a security company to respond to these systems. Don't expect much from the police. Rentals vary widely between neighborhoods, and a two bedroom house in a 'larney' area could easily set you back R30,000 p/m, while R5,000 p/m will get you a decent 2 bed apartment in most average areas.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals?
In Jo'burg itself, and some areas of other cities that border directly on Jo'burg, such as Randburg, the bus service is quite safe and reliable. In three months I once only waited about two hours for a bus because of strikes. I would, however, not make myself depend on this, and recommend buyingat least one car for the family. Car rentals are very expensive, and very seldom a long term solution in SA. Cars are very expensive as well, but there are good deals to be found. Long term rentals example, for an "Audi A4 or similar", you are looking at R440 p/m plus R3.30 p/km after 3000km.
Achilles32 wrote:
- If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my s
Hi Brady, seems your Consolas diet is working, you have actually shrunk. :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
Happy New Year to all.
We hope 2010 soon brings us automatic PRE tags!
Until then, please insert them manually.
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Hi Brady, seems your Consolas diet is working, you have actually shrunk. :)
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
Happy New Year to all.
We hope 2010 soon brings us automatic PRE tags!
Until then, please insert them manually.
:laugh: Yes. My user name (with font tag) is only 41 chars, and adding a tag pushes it up to 48 chars, but CP says it's longer that 50, and strips all HTML off, so I'll settle for smaller text.
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Hi, This is my first post, although I have been visiting often and the lounge is definitely my favourite place to visit. I have a bunch of questions that I hope some of you can help answer. My company is in the midst of finalising a project in Johannesburg. Initial period is about 3 months with the possibility that the client might rope us in for other solutions for a period of 1 year. My problem is that, other than the obvious pieces of information I know next to nothing about SA. The websites that I googled tend to not contain the information that I'm looking for or leave me a little confused. I'm planning on moving with my family as I would love for my kids to get to experience a totally different land and customs from those that they are used to but I'm also worried about their schooling and safety. I have a few questions, answers to which would help me in my discussions with the company. 1) The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe? 2) How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house? 3) How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals? 4) If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my second one if he becomes of schooling age while we are there. Would it be better to place them in a local school or an international school? I've found one website which claims fees as ranging between R10000 to R35000. Is this accurate or outdated information? Most websites indicate that the school year starts in June. Is this correct? I'll appreciate any information that I can get on the above.
Safety: 1. Make sure you are covered with sufficient health care to ensure care by private institutions. 2. When you are home, always lock outside gates and doors. I get weekly police reports for the area and most house invasions occur because the victims left a door/gate open. 3. When you are out and about, heep an eye on your wallet, phone and kids and forget the rest. 4. Never leave anything on your car seats when you are driving, slow down when approaching intersections and try to time the green light, watch for smash and grab from the bushes. 5. This is africa, human rights mean nothing, human life is really cheap so be street wise. 6. Don't get upset with people on the road, people here are on the freakin edge. Accomodation: About R9000 per month for a cluster home in secure complex. Complexes are great, they have garden service, some form of security and nosey neighbours, and you can go for walk in the complex without worrying about getting mugged. Public transport: You can choose between taxis that are driven by psychopathic half wits or you can go a bus that is driven by a psychopathic half wit that used to drive a taxi. Hardly reliable or safe, get a car. Schooling: We pay R2400 per month for our daughter to attend private school, not particularly posh though. If you want a really good private school you're looking at R4500 an up. Kindergarden cost us about R1000 per month.
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Safety: 1. Make sure you are covered with sufficient health care to ensure care by private institutions. 2. When you are home, always lock outside gates and doors. I get weekly police reports for the area and most house invasions occur because the victims left a door/gate open. 3. When you are out and about, heep an eye on your wallet, phone and kids and forget the rest. 4. Never leave anything on your car seats when you are driving, slow down when approaching intersections and try to time the green light, watch for smash and grab from the bushes. 5. This is africa, human rights mean nothing, human life is really cheap so be street wise. 6. Don't get upset with people on the road, people here are on the freakin edge. Accomodation: About R9000 per month for a cluster home in secure complex. Complexes are great, they have garden service, some form of security and nosey neighbours, and you can go for walk in the complex without worrying about getting mugged. Public transport: You can choose between taxis that are driven by psychopathic half wits or you can go a bus that is driven by a psychopathic half wit that used to drive a taxi. Hardly reliable or safe, get a car. Schooling: We pay R2400 per month for our daughter to attend private school, not particularly posh though. If you want a really good private school you're looking at R4500 an up. Kindergarden cost us about R1000 per month.
Thanks a lot for your advise Richard. I can use all of the above advise during my discussions. Regards Patrick
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Achilles32 wrote:
- The first and foremost question is about crime rates and safety in SA and specifically in Jo'burg. Apart from common sense precautions that would make sense in any country, is it really safe?
It quite safe with some basic precautions that wouldn't be necessary in safer arears of SA, or safer countries. Precautions include: Especially for your wife, not driving alone at night. Always being vigilant when driving, when stopped at traffic lights, always be aware of the environment, not the just other vehicles or the radio. Avoid 'deserted' areas. Avoid certain 'bad' areas. The list of such advice goes on, but is full of very similar stuff to this.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How affordable is accommodation in Jo'burg? What is the average rental for a two bedroom apartment? Is it cheaper and/or safer to rent an apartment or a house?
Accommodation is generally very affordable, and if I was visiting here for an extended period I would rent an apartment (also known as a flat), or a unit in a secure complex or estate. I think being in a house, you are more 'on your own' w.r.t. safety and security, and will need a good burglar alarm and panic button system, plus a contract with a security company to respond to these systems. Don't expect much from the police. Rentals vary widely between neighborhoods, and a two bedroom house in a 'larney' area could easily set you back R30,000 p/m, while R5,000 p/m will get you a decent 2 bed apartment in most average areas.
Achilles32 wrote:
- How is public transport? Is it safe and reliable or are we looking at car rentals? How expensive are car rentals?
In Jo'burg itself, and some areas of other cities that border directly on Jo'burg, such as Randburg, the bus service is quite safe and reliable. In three months I once only waited about two hours for a bus because of strikes. I would, however, not make myself depend on this, and recommend buyingat least one car for the family. Car rentals are very expensive, and very seldom a long term solution in SA. Cars are very expensive as well, but there are good deals to be found. Long term rentals example, for an "Audi A4 or similar", you are looking at R440 p/m plus R3.30 p/km after 3000km.
Achilles32 wrote:
- If we move there for a year I'd like to place my oldest in school there and possibly my s
I really appreciate all the advise I've recieved from you Brady. Thank you very much. Regards Patrick