V-Flyer

Anyone here (must be) have any experience of living in this city? Looks like my eldest is going to be joining her partner out there to live and I know very little (ie almost nothing, apart from violence) about the place. Who can shed some light - please???? [:#]

Born there, lived there, visit 2+ times a year.

Fire away - what do you want to know?

VS.

Originally posted by VS045
Born there, lived there, visit 2+ times a year.

Fire away - what do you want to know?

VS.

I suppose my main concern is safety - I feel a total luddite, to my shame, but all I've managed to find out is that it has the highest crime rate in the world and that's pretty scarey. Maybe it's it bit N ireland - you just have to know where to avoid? My daughter's partner is a native of the place... she's a personal trainer and wants to work out there, how difficult is that likely to be and how safe???

Many thanks in advance VS.[:X]

Originally posted by catsilversword

Maybe it's it bit N ireland - you just have to know where to avoid?

[V]

Well I'm certainly not going to say it's the safest place in the world, but you can take measures to improve your safety.

I would, on the whole, try and avoid the city itself and stick to the suburbs. I wouldn't drive through the townships and would try to avoid travelling alone at night, particularly in unfamiliar areas.

Driving particularly needs some care - don't leave anything on the front seat even if you're in the car, lock the doors, don't open the windows and take care when driving around taxis/minivans - they have caused quite a few accidents and several people in my family have had other trouble with them.

Mainly though, I'd advise her to keep he wits about her and if anything looks dodgy, leave. For example, my aunt was on an (almost) deserted road, saw the taxi/minivan infront of her stop and begin reversing towards her. She didn't want to find out anymore and turned around and left - that's the kind of attitude you need I think.

Personal trainer - maybe working at a Virgin Healthclub?;)

Whereabouts in Jo'burg is she going?

VS.

Ah, a VS health Club, now there's a thought!

I don't know which area of the city she'll be living in - but her buy's folks are both locals and are both draftsmen (draftspeople?), so imagine it'll be a reasonable area. Will try to find out and let you know.

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by catsilversword

Maybe it's it bit N ireland - you just have to know where to avoid?

[V]

Sorry Honey. Maybe it's a bit ANY city then.......[i]

I don't know which area of the city she'll be living in - but her buy's folks are both locals and are both draftsmen (draftspeople?), so imagine it'll be a reasonable area. Will try to find out and let you know.

Thanks. it'd be interesting to see if I know anyone where she's going:D

I think in all places you have to know where to go or not go. I wouldn't have any worries about walking around most of NY, but I wouldn't be too keen on walking through Central Park at night (although I have done this;)[:I])

VS.

She's mentioned Tedstoneville and Germiston - neither name means anything to me!

Your comment about Central Park struck a chord with me - I was watching something on TV about that very place last night and the same thought occurred to me......

I don't know how much you know about the place, but Germiston's just west of the airport, so that's OK. I don't know the area that well - I'm from the north of the city near Sandton.

VS.

Can I ask what happens about health care in the country? I have no idea - how do you go about getting dental checks, is there some sort of equivalent to our GPs in the UK? Does everyone have health insurance, how about things like getting contact lenses???

Most have private healthcare which is MUCH, MUCH better than the health service we have over here. Excellent diagnosticians, specialists and much more pleasant hospitals and clinics. Yes, they do have an equivalent to GPs, although far more helpful - they'll go further than just telling you that your cold is in fact...a cold;) Also, drugs are more readily prescribed and are often more effective as quite a few of the drugs used over there aren't available in the UK.
However, I've never had to get contact lenses so I wouldn't know about that[:I]

VS.

Thank you![y][:X]

If you have any more questions, just PM me:D

VS.

Driving particularly needs some care - don't leave anything on the front seat even if you're in the car, lock the doors, don't open the windows

Is the Cape Town area the same? We have hired a convertible for our upcoming trip.[:0][:0]

Is the Cape Town area the same? We have hired a convertible for our upcoming trip.

I'm not too sure on the specifics of Cape Town, but the latest "technique" seems to be "smas 'n' grab" which affects all cars[:0] (i.e. smash windscreen and take whatever one can)

VS.

Originally posted by VS045

Is the Cape Town area the same? We have hired a convertible for our upcoming trip.

I'm not too sure on the specifics of Cape Town, but the latest "technique" seems to be "smas 'n' grab" which affects all cars[:0] (i.e. smash windscreen and take whatever one can)

VS.

My daughter's partner's cousin was killed in a car crash in Joburg at the weekend- someone just ploughed into her....

Thanks again VS - I may well have to PM you at some point, so appreciate the offer.

Yes, the car thing is another one - I guess we'll be going out to see her at some point, and I was wondering about the wisdom of hiring a car. But surely less safe not to?????

I don't think there's much of an alternative to hiring a car. When visiting we've only ever used the cars of relatives or sometimes a driver to take us to and from the airport.

VS.

I don't know how much you know about the place, but Germiston's just west of the airport

Mrs JP lived in JNB for a number of years and in Germiston for a short time.We went back to look at her old school and homes mostly in the suburb of Florida,this had gone downhill considerably but not to the extent as Germiston quite a scary place in some areas.

I think Ernie Els is from Germiston:D

VS.

Not wanting to spread fear here, but I have family down there.As long as you stay in the right area's of town (true of any large city) you should be ok, there are areas however that are pretty much a war zone.

Car jacking is a major crime down there, lock the doors, keep the windows rolled up and don't flash expensive jewelery.It is a shame because part of South Africa are amazingly beautiful, but the divide between rich and poor is so great people will do anything to survive.

A couple of interesting links

Link for the flame thrower option.

Link for South African safety and defense.

Link for South African health care.

Originally posted by Scrooge

Link for the flame thrower option.

I can think of some places in the UK where that would come in handy.....[:w]

quote:
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Originally posted by Scrooge


Link for the flame thrower option.

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I can think of some places in the UK where that would come in handy.....

Yeah, that Solihull...[}:)];)[:p][ii]

VS.

Originally posted by MarkJ

Originally posted by Scrooge

Link for the flame thrower option.

I can think of some places in the UK where that would come in handy.....[:w]

True lol - but we don't have the same levels of political and racial unrest as there, however much we moan about it. Oh blimey, I'm scared for her....[?]

Remember Claire, there are millions of people living there:D

VS.