Pretoria, South Africa Report of what it's like to live there - 06/01/08

Personal Experiences from Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa 06/01/08

Background:

1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

Harare, Bucharest, Lilongwe.

View All Answers


2. How long have you lived here?

7 years.

View All Answers


3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?

I am associated with the U.S. Embassy.

View All Answers


4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:

8-9 hours from Europe, 15-16 hours from U.S.

View All Answers


Housing, Groceries & Food:

1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

Both compound houses and stand-alone houses; no apartments. Houses tend to be smaller than one expects for Africa.

View All Answers


2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Everything is available here. Local items are cheaper than the U.S. Imported things are expensive.

View All Answers


3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

U.S.-type pancake syrup (Mrs. Buttersworth, Log Cabin, etc.).

View All Answers


4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

McDonald's, Subway, KFC, pizza joints, Italian, Chinese, Portuguese. No Mexican. Good steak houses.

View All Answers


Daily Life:

1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?

We use the pouch.

View All Answers


2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Readily available US$250-$300 per month.

View All Answers


3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

They are both commonly used here but credit card and ATM scams are on the increase.

View All Answers


4. What English-language religious services are available locally?

Yes. Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, non-denominational, Islam

View All Answers


5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?

Yes. Newspapers about the same as U.S. DSTV about US$65-75 per month according to the exchange rate.

View All Answers


6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

None.

View All Answers


7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

Imagine USA in the 1950s.

View All Answers


Transportation:

1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?

Traffic moves on the left.

View All Answers


2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

Most expats don't take them, but I believe the local buses and mini-buses are quite safe and affordable. The Pretoria/Joburg train is very cheap, but not safe.

View All Answers


3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

A left hand drive (US type) vehicle cannot be imported. Best to buy local. Cars are expensive. An SUV/4WD is not necessarily needed.

View All Answers


Phone & Internet:

1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Yes, about US$110-150 per month according to package.

View All Answers


2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

Vodacom is the most popular. You also have others to choose from.

View All Answers


3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?

Telkom, the local company, charges about 10 cents a minute to call the U.S. during cheap time; about 14 cents per during peak time. Either way you don't break the bank.

View All Answers


Pets:

1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?

Very good pet care and plenty of kennels.

View All Answers


Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:

1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

Don't know about those not affiliated with the Embassy, but any EFM who wants a job can get one in the Embassy. They are begging for people.

View All Answers


2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

View All Answers


Health & Safety:

1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?

Moderate.

View All Answers


2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Violent crime is a big problem, but for U.S. Embassy families, RSO has installed electric fences; many are moving to compounds; Embassy is using armed patrol guards and 24-hour guards on the compounds. Yes, crime is definitely an issue, but with the right attitude and security stance, you can live a normal, enjoyable life.

View All Answers


3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

Very good health care here.

View All Answers


4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

Summers (November-February) are nice with thunderstorms. Winters (June-August) are generally sunny and cool. Other times thunderstorms and warm. Temperature never gets too hot or too cold.

View All Answers


Schools & Children:

1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

North American International School for K-8 and American International School of Johannesburg for K-12. Both schools are unique. NAIS offers low teacher-student ratio and is in Pretoria. AISJ is large but is 40-50 minute drive from Pretoria.

View All Answers


2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

Neither school is good for special needs kids.

View All Answers


3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

My kids went to a good Montessori school. Other preschools abound.

View All Answers


Expat Life:

1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

Large.

View All Answers


2. Morale among expats:

Ok, I guess. Worries about crime.

View All Answers


3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

Plenty.

View All Answers


4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

For older kids it can be tough as there is always a lot of coordination involved for play dates etc., otherwise, good for families. Good for singles/couples.

View All Answers


5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

There is quite a big GL community.

View All Answers


6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

With apartheid in the not so distant past, there are still lingering issues. Also, society tends to be male-centric.

View All Answers


7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

Game parks, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, beaches, Gold Reef City (amusement park), Cape Town, lots of touristic things to do.

View All Answers


8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

View All Answers


9. Can you save money?

Yes, if you don't spend it all traveling all over the place!

View All Answers


Words of Wisdom:

1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

Yes.

View All Answers


2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

U.S. model car.

View All Answers


3. But don't forget your:

BBQ grill.

View All Answers


4. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:

View All Answers


5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

Any SA-centric book by Wilbur Smith.

View All Answers


6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

Any SA-centric book by Wilbur Smith.

View All Answers


7. Do you have any other comments?

View All Answers


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More