What is life like in Joberg?

Malt_Vinegar

Malt_Vinegar

Malt_Vinegar

Don
Joined
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In a house
Often when people talk about SA, they talk about violence, but I would love to hear experiences of Ex-pats and frequent visitors.

Is as terrible a place as it often made out to be, or just like living in any other city?

Someone has approached me about working there in the near future, and just want to put out some feelers and guage opinion :)
 
I'm not from Joburg but I lived in Durban my whole life until moving here (20 years) and I was never directly a victim of crime. Sure my house was broken into once or twice and the radio stolen out of my car once but it was not the violent crime that is all too common place now.

That was a decade ago however and things have changed. Look, millions of people live every day in SA without being a victim of crime. My sister still lives there (she is 35) and she has never been a direct victim of violent crime. No doubt you will get a tirade of responses saying the complete opposite so my point here basically is: Yes you can live in SA without being a victim of crime but it DOES and CAN happen so be careful.
 
Never lived there but visited a couple of times. I think its a city with two faces. Some areas are really nice and relatively safe. Plenty of armed guards around, with high walls and electrified fences around most properties. I followed some basic rules for safety and personal security and had no problems. I'd prefer to live in Capetown though. What a fantastic city.
 
been there a few times, i wouldnt live there, simples.

after dusk, dont stop at the red lights etc, carry a gun, be aware of your surroundings, etc

good luck :eek:
 
Perfectly safe

Marauder_1.JPG
 
Originally from Springs in Joburg.

Stay away from traffic lights at night, always lock your car doors/drive with aircon on and close the windows, keep a personal weapon, make sure you lock your house/ have big dogs (pref 3-5 great danes)/ carry money in a bra/underwear/dont go to cashpoints (carry debit card that you can cancel as they normally hold you at gunpoint for the pin at the cashpoint)/dont show you have money/dont look at anyone directly.

Other then that, enjoy..

ps i cant be held responsible for any advice i give here + make sure your house has security bars on all doors and external windows that have been bolted and welded to the house, heard that burglars now unbolt if they not welded over :D
 
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I don't agree with the "Keep a personal weapon" or the "have big dogs (pref 3-5 great danes)"... really? If anything I would have a rottie or a boerbul...
 
Malt_Vinegar said:
Often when people talk about SA, they talk about violence, but I would love to hear experiences of Ex-pats and frequent visitors.

Is as terrible a place as it often made out to be, or just like living in any other city?

Someone has approached me about working there in the near future, and just want to put out some feelers and guage opinion :)
Click to expand...

We have an office there and I speak to someone regularly...if you have any questions stick them into an email to me at [email protected] and I will forward them onto her :)
 
With that in mind think maybe my better half might not like the idea with our new son.

Additionally I would not be happy leaving them alone in that environment. Its a shame, but I think I value peace of mind more than any salary increase.

Thanks for the info!
 
My best mate lives and was born in Johannesburg and he says it's like any big city, there are places that you avoid but for the most part as long as you are aware and follow some simple security stuff it's fine....he did move to England to bring up his kids though, so that might tell you something.

He reckons the baboons are the biggest problem not the people.
 
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