Safety issues for expats in Johannesburg

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on 12 Nov 2013

Hello everybody, I am wondering to go to Johannesburg beginning 2014. I have an offer from my enterprise to work as a Manager of an industrial plant (20-30 people). I've been looking for some info about the place and first thing that appears is CRIMINALITY. I am really worried about this point and I want to make some questions. I would really appreciate that some local people (expat or not) could answer them in detail. 1) Personal security/Living conditions: It seems that you can only stay in your house (24 security system) and can't almost even take the car to go shopping. What's true on this? - Where to live with expats and safe neighbourhoods (no matter budget)? Can you have a walk throw the streets in these villages or you just have to stay inside the walls of the cluster? Can you drive safely with the car in these villages? - I suppose the criminality is 90% focused in the city centre; is it right? - Where can I find safe supermarkets to go in? - Are there any safe parks in these "safe" areas? - Can you drive somewhere outside Johannesburg during the weekends or everything is unsafe? - Which is the budget to have a private taxi 24 hours? 2) Medical security: - Are there any safe hospitals? Where are they? Can you drive safely to them? - AIDS: is it a big problem in the whole city or just in the centre? 3) Work: - Working area: TUNNEY INDUSTRIAL: how is this area? Is it safe? - How is the relationship between boss and workers in the industry? Relationship between black and white people? Is it dangerous? - Do the industrial sites have normally 24 security? Is it necessary? 4) Wife's work: - Is it easy for my wife to find a job (Hospitals)? Is it easy to get the working permit? - I suppose that if I have a working permit, she has automatically the residence permit, is it right? CONCLUSION: is it safe enough to live in expats surroundings from the city centre? Can you drive from the house to work safely? Are there criminality problems also outside the city centre? I really look forward to someone's reply. Thanks a lot in advance and thanks for the incredible website that you offer!!! Alberto

Anonymous (not verified) on 13 Nov 2013 - 09:18

Hi Alberto,

As you have a lot of different questions on a range of topics I would suggest you start by taking a look through our Expat Arrivals Johannesburg City Guide. Most of your questions with regards to transport, work permits and areas and suburbs of Jo'burg should be answered within the guide.

With reagrds to your concerns on safety in Johannesburg, I would say safety is a major concern for expats moving to Jo'burg. There are lots of things you will need to be aware of before moving to the city and you will probably find you'll need to make some lifestyle changes to account for the safety concerns in the city. However, the South African authorities are taking steps to improve safety throughout the country.

To learn more about safety read the Safety in South Africa page.

If you have any more specific questions do let us know.

Good luck,

Shantalie

Anonymous (not verified) on 13 Nov 2013 - 09:57

Hello Shantalie, Thanks a lot for your answer. I have already checked the guide and all of your website issues. What I'm really interested in is the personal experiences of people especially concerning the safety in common life: going to work, shopping, nighlife, etc. I know of course that I have to change lifestyle but my question is: to which point? The theory in the guides helps but I repeat that I want to know experiences from people (expats and foreigners) at work, life, etc. Thanks again and hope that I will receive more inputs! Alberto

Anonymous (not verified) on 13 Nov 2013 - 14:03

Hi Alberto

I grew up in Johannesburg and still have many friends living there. Yes, crime is an issue, but as with any big city anywhere in the world, it's all about being aware of your surroundings and familiarising yourself with safer areas and the not-so-safe. Crime in the inner city is certainly an issue, but generally during the day, the CBD is very busy, with many pedestrians and cars and it should be fine. You just need to keep your valuables out of site and walk with confidence. I would avoid the inner city areas at night.

Crime certainly does not stop Joburg residents from living their lives and no one I know hides away in their home or complex. There are many thing to do in the city, and lots of great shopping malls and restaurants to explore. Joburgers love socialising and meeting friends out for dinner or drinks.

Security is usually tight in housing complexes and if safety is an issue for you, you should consider living in a security complex with access control, rather than living in a free-standing home. Ensure that you have burglar bars and a good alarm system. Driving to work should not be a problem - as mentioned, awareness is key and you should keep valuables out of site. Traffic is also a bit of a nightmare during rush hour, so you should definitely consider trying to live close to your work, if possible.

There are plenty of good hospitals in Johannesburg, such as Milpark Clinic, Sandton mediclinic and Olivedale clinic. Medical facilities in the city are among the best on the continent, and you won't struggle to find quality medical care. You should definitely have comprehensive medical aid as private healthcare is expensive. Unfortunately the same high standards are not maintained at public facilities, so you definitely want to be able to get care at a private hospital or clinic.

I hope this helps, and all the best with your move to Johannesburg!

Anonymous (not verified) on 13 Nov 2013 - 17:59

Hello Catherine, Thanks a lot for yur answer. How about the AIDS problem (SIDA, VIH) in the population. Is that controlled in hospitals? Regards, Alberto

Anonymous (not verified) on 18 Nov 2013 - 15:41

Hi Alberto,

let me chime in here as well, though Shantalie and Catherine have done an excellent job of giving you answers, especially on the security issue. You say you'd like to hear from other people who live there and how their lives are impacted, so I thought sharing my story with you would help.

I lived in Johannesburg for three years with my family of 4 children. We never had any problems or issues. We lived in a large estate in the North (Dainfern area) and yes, security there is very tight and some people don't like living like that, but we found it great. Within our neighborhood the kids wlaked to their friends' houses without problems. They also walked to school, and to the small shopping centre for ice cream or movies. Never had a problem and never felt unsafe. Like Catherine says, of course you have to be aware of crime and the areas that are unsafe. But for the most part, Johannesburg has been just like any other place for us, except much better weather and the most wonderful people. The hospitals are excellent. If your company pays for a look-see trip, then take the chance, and check it out. YOu will find Johannesburg much different from what you imagine after reading horror stories on online forums. I read those same stories before moving there and was horrified, which is one of the reasons why I started my blog, Joburg Expat, once we lived there. To describe the real life of an expat and give people a place for good information. Feel free to check it out, I've pretty much touched on every question you ask here, and especially on the safety issue too. You'll find a "topics" drop down box on the right and can select any topic there. I hope you'll check it out, not because I want to promote my blog but because I think it gives you exactly the kind of stories you were looking for.

Just know that there is a huge expat community in Joburg, and that the biggest fear most of them have is that they'll one day have to move away again, honestly. We did (move away) and I still miss South Africa terribly.

Sine

Anonymous (not verified) on 14 Nov 2013 - 06:29

Hi Alberto, AIDS is definitely a very real problem within South African society, and unfortunately there remains a stigma about the disease, without people being well-informed about its spread and treatment.

It should not be an issue for foreigners directly, unless engaging in unsafe sexual or drug-usa practices. I'm not quite sure what you mean by it being controlled in hospitals. Doctors and nurses are well trained and if visiting a private hospital with high standards of care, the exposure to AIDS is not an issue.

Anonymous (not verified) on 2 Dec 2013 - 17:17

Hi Sine, Thanks very much for the info. Are there "small" houses (2-3 rooms max. 100-150sqm max)in the Dainfern area estates. I've been looking in the Internet and i just can found huge houses. I will move just with my wife. Which are the range of prices for these kind of houses in these estate areas? Thanks again Sine, Catherine and Shantalie. Regards, Alberto

Anonymous (not verified) on 3 Dec 2013 - 10:20

Hello all, Thanks very much for your answer and information. Just another issue: I would like to have some information about the estates in Johannesburg. All the houses that I’ve seen are pretty huge size for my wife and I! Do you think that I could find some smaller houses (100-125sqm max) in the Dainfern estates (golf, valley, ridge) or any other estate from this area? Would you think that I could find houses for 20.000-25.000 Rans/month or would they be more expensive? Thanks again Shantalie, Catherine and Sine for your incredible help. Regards, Alberto

Anonymous (not verified) on 4 Dec 2013 - 10:33

Alberto, you are right, Dainfern mainly caters to families and has pretty big houses. So does Dainfern Valley. But right next to these two, there is Dainfern Ridge, and Fernridge, and both of those have smaller houses. Or you could look in the Lonehill area and probably find smaller houses there too. Fourways Gardens is also a very large estate with slightly smaller houses. Have you gotten yourself an estate agent yet? There is one specializing on the Dainfern area, Gaye Cawood. As for prices, I do think you shoudl find something in your range in some of those other estates I mentioned, but of course I can't be sure.

Safety issues for expats in Johannesburg

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