Hi everyone
My husband and I are considering moving to the Western Cape in a few years and want to start doing due diligence for our planning.
Knowing nothing about WC other than family holidays when I was a kid, I'd love to hear some advice on areas/suburbs please. A friend of mine lives in Somerset West and says that is a great area, particularly for schools but is also like to hear about other areas like Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl as well as areas close to the beach. We have a 5 year old daughter and would send her to a private school there. My husband and I work remotely but would need reasonable access to an airport for business travel.
All advice welcomed.
Edit: thanks so much for the advice everyone. Going to add these to our lists and carry out some reccies over the next few months.
Have a lekker weekend!
So I checked the news this morning to see the Australian company Searcher Seismic intends to blast the Western Cape coast now for petrogas, even as Shell slinks away with its tail between its legs.
Copying and escalating the dirty tactics used in the Shell debacle, the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (and minister Gwede Mantashe) quietly rubber-stamped the survey back in December and together with Searcher, decided not to inform the public until only a week ahead of the survey (it is planned for 15 January).
They are scared of the public but still think they can bamboozle us. I can't say I'm not tired of fighting this kak but if we can beat Shell we can beat Searcher. I'm posting a link to the Vuma survey but I think at this point we should be addressing emails and phonecalls directly to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, to Gwede Mantashe and to PASA to tell them they are way out of line.
Link to petition against Searcher's survey: https://www.vuma.earth/petitions/stop-the-seismic-survey-starting-on-15-january-2022-off-the-western-cape-coast
Contact your DMRE provincial manager: https://uprootthedmre.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=actionkit#letter
Contact PASA: https://petroleumagencysa.com/index.php/contact
Pretty much what it says on the blikkie. I am looking to volunteer this year in anything involving the outdoors and nature within the western cape. Already planning to join the Volunteer Wildfire Service but would like to hear of any other good suggestions.
So myself and family are returning to SA after 6 years in Europe. I just received an offer of employment for R1.5M and wanted to check cost of living for northern suburbs in Cape Town. We already have a property paid 50% off so that is sorted. But will need cars etc. Family of 3 (child below 2 years). Thanks!
EDIT: Seems I might have touched a nerve. The package is annually. As we have been out of SA for some time we are out of touch when it comes to cost. Also currently schooling and medical is free on this side, which obviously in SA it is not. It will also only be me working. All valid and constructive input appreciated!
Hi all
Me and my mother are looking to visit cape town and surrounding towns in March, maybe part of the garden route. Anyway, I am looking for things to see or do.
We were there in 2020 before covid and traveled from Langebaan to Paarl to Simons town and parts of the cape town. Now we want to continue Here is a list of things we already done, to assist in suggesting new things: ( and maybe help others who have not done those) -2 oceans aquarium -V&A waterfront -Baxter theater (saw a play), food is fantastic -Blueberg beach -Wine tasting at de Grendel -Drove Chapman's Peak -went to tablemountain -Langgebaan lagoon and national park -Darling toffee factory -Spice route chocolate tasting -Alpaca farm outside Paarl -Glodina Factory in Wellington -Stone polishing store in Simons town -Boat trip to seal island at Houtbay -Went to the bird sanctuary outside Houtbay
Any suggestions would be appreciated (Can be anywhere in Western Cape?
Hi all,
My partner and I are avid hikers and campers and want to get into multi day hikes (2/3 days to start off with) - does anyone have any suggestions on routes that are safe in the western cape to do this?
For example on arangieskop, if we wanted to setup our tent somewhere near the trail and not use the mountain hut, are we allowed to do that?
My only concern is the possibility of trouble makers for some reason passing our tent in the night.
SANBS serves all provinces excluding the Western Cape, which uses the WCBS. SANBS was formed from the unification of previous blood donation services, yet the Western Cape remains independent. Why?
Also, do they ever share donations?
We are a young family of 5 with 3 kids, the eldest being 6 years old. We would like to reside in the Western Cape on the Garden Route. There are so many different small towns that really are South Africa's best-kept secret IMO.
Work is not important as we are self-employed property developers seeking opportunities for further investment to add to our portfolio.
We have traveled the western cape on holiday since we were kids, but being on holiday vs residing in the precinct is far from the reality one may expect. Hence my post here is aimed at getting advice from Locals, hopefully, unbiased advice with solid reference.
The Suburbs we are currently considering ( In no particular order ):
- Knysna
- Plettenberg
- George
- Wilderness
- Hermanus
- Gansbaai
- Mossel Bay
- Sedgefield
- Jeffreys Bay
- Any other precincts you may recommend
What's important To Our Family:
- Proximity to the Airport ( Thinking George ? )
- Proximity to Cape Town CBD
- Proximity to a Hospital
- Private Schools
- Safety
- Outdoor activities for the kids
- Smallholdings / Farm like living in a contemporary estate or similar
- Seaviews
- Safe commutes and roads
Considerations:
- Booming and ripe for investment in property, looking for property investment opportunities close to home once we reside, example I hear George is booming and thus the wilderness may be a perfect place to reside for a young family?
- Hermanus is close to the CBD
- Garden Route Roads between Knysna and George, are they safe? Read an article recently about the Matriculants.
- How safe is the area in general, which is the safest suburbs with the least crime?
- How well are your municipalities run?
- How good are the municipalities regarding service delivery?
- Does the council work with developers to get bulk services to new undeveloped property, I know this is a difficult question but thought someone might have some input, completely depends if the proposed property is within the TP scheme development roadmap for development as services link to mains.
Your Comment:
- Tell me about your experiences, what do you love, what don't you like about your town on the Garden Route. If you are new to the area, how do you find the community? Share anything you think might benefit my understanding of the Garden Route precinct from the local perspective.
Is living expenses higher in the Western Cape than the rest of South Africa ?
Hi all
Me and my mother are looking to visit cape town and surrounding towns in March, maybe part of the garden route. Anyway, I am looking for things to see or do.
We were there in 2020 before covid and traveled from Langebaan to Paarl to Simons town and parts of the cape town. Now we want to continue Here is a list of things we already done, to assist in suggesting new things: ( and maybe help others who have not done those) -2 oceans aquarium -V&A waterfront -Baxter theater (saw a play), food is fantastic -Blueberg beach -Wine tasting at de Grendel -Drove Chapman's Peak -went to tablemountain -Langgebaan lagoon and national park -Darling toffee factory -Spice route chocolate tasting -Alpaca farm outside Paarl -Glodina Factory in Wellington -Stone polishing store in Simons town -Boat trip to seal island at Houtbay -Went to the bird sanctuary outside Houtbay
Any suggestions would be appreciated (Can be anywhere in Western Cape?
