About nrkrisch

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

South Africa: Considering a job opportunity in Joburg:

Hi Hans, I would think it would be best for you to ask your company to put you in touch with other employees who live in Joburg with young families. Find out from them what provisions the company puts in place to help them feel secure, etc. How they feel about the fine private schools their children attend and the level of care they get from the first rate doctors who are in private practice here. Your main concern will be the security issue and that will involve how much it will take for you, personally, to feel secure, as we all have our own threshold. Regarding education and health care, as long as you are planning to go the private route you will have nothing to worry about and perhaps even receive better service than you are used to. South Africa generally, and Joburg, particularly, oftentimes take a big hit from the press and also those who have chosen to leave. Surely there are issues in South Africa, but there are many expats living here - by choice (myself one of them) - who are leading meaningful and interesting lives. I would really urge you to speak to as many people as possible, but to concentrate on those who currently live where you are considering living and have chosen to raise their young families here. This is not to say that people who have chosen to leave SA have not had valid reasons for doing so. But many have chosen to stay, and some are now returning after years of living abroad. Those reasons are also worth listening to. This is a very profound and intense society on the move. Remember that no place is without difficulty, it may just come in a different package. If you wish to correspond further, please post your email address. Best of luck, Nancy

South Africa: Lusaka, Zambia -- Sorry no Zambia Forum:

Hi Nicky, We moved from Connecticut to South Africa 3.5 ago. If you want specific info re: logistics and such, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Nancy

South Africa: Information about Johannesburg:

I completely agree with your (jmorgan) sentiments and wanted to compliment you on really painting the most realistic picture of what life in the Joburg area is, and also the profound truth about witnessing history in the making here. I live in the North West Province, in Klerksdorp, but spend a fair amount of time in Joburg because that is where my partner's father lives. Joburg has a lot to offer on many different levels, and I would add to your comments that the people who have made a conscious choice to stay in SA, live and work in Joburg, would admit that they love their lives in this beautiful country. You are correct to point out that city life anywhere comes with issues (and I am not trying to downplay the crime situation, for that is very real), but people wouldn't continue to renovate or move into bigger and more beautiful homes in Joburg if there wasn't something to offset it. Along with the gardens, museums, galleries, etc. an hour long drive provides so much for families to do - and if you are willing to drive a little further, there is even more. A wonderful country to discover - all it takes is initiative and energy. I find South Africans, in general, to be amongst the most hospitable people I have come across anywhere. They are generous, friendly and will make any newcomer feel as though they are a long lost relative. Their larger than life personalities and joie de vivre add to the color of this 'Rainbow Nation' - and I mean this to be a statement across the board, transcending socioeconomic standing. For those of us from more rigid societies, that comes as quiet a welcome change. As they say here, SA is "Alive with Possibility."

South Africa: Does anyone have a container going from US to South Africa over the next few months?:

Greetings all, We just shipped a container from NY to Durban in Sept (which went flawlessly). Had I known about this website then I would have offered to add the boxes of others to our not quite full container. Now, I am back in the US for a month and could use a few more items from here that will not be transportable in my suitcase. Is there anyone who plans on shipping items to SA from the US over the next month? If you think you will have some spare room in your container - like we did - I would appreciate being able to add a few boxes (approx 4). Thanks for any consideration to this request - we leave the US for SA again in late Feb. Best regards, Nancy

South Africa: Moving to South Africa:

Yes, yes, yes!! In fact, we just shipped a container from the US to Klerksdorp, NW Province in Sept. They are called Echo Movers and are out of NY the phone number is 877-324-6222. Our things arrived on time and in perfect condition - no complaints - would highly recommend them. Good luck.

South Africa: Moving to SA!!:

Hi Shelley, I am also a North American born expat (from outside NYC) living in SA for the past 2 years. It is a wonderful country and you might be surprised that although the snow falls only in the mountainous regions, it does get fairly cold here. My seasonal confusion comes into play more when the December holiday season falls at a time when people gather outdoors and braai (BBQ) rather then warm up next to a fire with snow falling outside. I would love to be in touch with you - am traveling to the US in the month of Feb, but back in SA from early March on. Best of luck with your move and adjustment to the wonders that this country has to offer. Nancy

Date Joined:

1/22/2008

Total Posts:

10

Posts/Day:

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