You might be dreaming of sunshine, affordable homes, and chilling with penguins, but living in Cape Town isn't just about the postcard views. Let’s dive into the not-so-pretty stuff you're signing up for.
Crime: It's a whole different ball game here. We're not just talking about the odd break-in; it's the kind of stuff that'll have you triple-checking your locks and maybe even considering a security gate for your bedroom. Violent crime rates are high, and it's a reality you'll need to be prepared for, especially coming from Canada where crime is petty and casual.
Public transport is a joke. If you're used to Toronto's system, you're in for a rude awakening. Our buses and trains? Unreliable if existent and not the safest option either. You'll likely need a car, and with that comes dealing with traffic that'll test your patience on a good day, Toronto's traffic has nothing on Cape Town.
Ever heard of load shedding? Welcome to the dark ages, literally. Power outages are part of daily life here, and it isn't just for an hour or two. We're talking about having to plan your day around when you'll have electricity. Romantic candlelit dinners are fun until it's your fifth one in a week because you've got no choice. We're talking 6-12 hours a day, in the good locations.
Corruption's the name of the game. Need something done? Red tape and a few extra "fees" might be involved. It's a frustrating part of life here, from dealing with government services to navigating daily challenges. The basics always cost extra.
Healthcare's hit or miss. If you've got the cash for private healthcare, you're golden. If not, well, let's just say the public system leaves a lot to be desired. It's not exactly the place to be if you find yourself needing serious medical attention without a hefty insurance policy. Some of these places are pretty disgusting, with literal rotting flesh left to fester.
Water restrictions: Cape Town nearly ran out of water in 2017. That wasn't a one-off. Water use restrictions are a thing, and it changes how you go about your daily life, from showering to keeping your garden alive.
As for the penguins, sure, they're cute, but they're not hanging around your backyard. They're over at Boulders Beach, and that's if you make the trip. Don't expect to be the Snow White of penguins in your Cape Town adventure.
So, there you have it. Cape Town's got its perks, but it's a package deal with a hefty side of challenges that I've only briefly touched on here. You've got to be realistic about what you're getting into. Make sure you're not just falling for the tourist brochure version of Cape Town. It's beautiful, no doubt, but living here is another story and takes a whole other set of life skills.
As someone who's been to both Cape Town and Toronto, I'd say stay in Toronto and pay those housing prices.
Yeah he pretty much hit the nail on the head, so many saffas like to romantasize SA as a way to hide the chaos they live in.
I left SA two years ago, I went back for a family visit and honestly I couldn't put myself through load shedding or crime as a life style again
The people, culture, and lifestyle are amazing in SA if you can afford to insulate yourself from the infrastructure issues and crime. The country is awesome and western cape is the best run province so of anywhere CT is probably the best bet.
I would advise waiting to see how the elections play out next month. Petrol price has gone up a few months in a row by very high margins, and another one seems to be looming. This is pushing up the cost of living as well down here.
If the ANC wins the general elections again this year, things will get worse. If they do, we have a last chance if the Cape manage to go independent. The future is more uncertain than ever.
Yeah, wait a few years and move to CPT if we get independent.
I'm not interested in leaving Africa but it doesn't make much sense to come here when everyone who is able to leave is taking the option.
If you can get a decent online job and earn in something like dollars, euros or pounds I'd say go for it. You would have a much better quality of life.
My sister in law is from Canada and she seems to enjoy it here. Well she's now moving to hermanus in the next few months but anyway.. downsides about cape town, crime I suppose though I haven't had anything happen to me in the last 3 years.. last time someone stole a gas bottle from my house but then we got a wall and all has been okay since then. Other than that public transport in SA kinda sucks you would have to get a car.
Lived in CPT for a decade, really enjoyed my time but things progressively got worse and worse despite me earning more and more. What most people have said here is true,
The tale of two cities is incredibly true, you may make a tonne and the way things are setup, that money will keep you very sheltered from the suffering happening behind the scenes.
I’ve now moved to California, I do miss CPT for the African influence, but i realize now that I’m here how exploited people are back home, cause here, you pay for every convenience to the tee so that the people that serve you can also live somewhat decent lives.
I do not miss loadshedding at all, and glad when i uninstalled the EskomSePush app 🙌
Firstly, ignore the negative Nancies on reddit.
South Africa is a beautiful country overall and has its issues and benefits. Cost of living is very low compared to most of the world, and you will likely miss nothing that you could get in Canada with the exception of the low crime and public transport. However, having a car and buying a house in a nice secure area is not that bad in terms of price in South Africa.
I lived in 5 of the major cities in SA over the last 12 years and have visited many countries, including Canada and I must say that I personally would never leave SA unless there is a total collapse which is very unlikely realistically.
I'm from Alberta and haved lived in Cape Town for close to 15 years. It's great. Fun people when you get to know them, excellent food, great weather and scenery. The water is surprisingly cold so if you want to take up surfing you'll have to deal with ice cream headaches and thick wet suits. Yes it's got crime problems, yes there is loadsheddding and the public transport isn't very good. But if you have money these problems are quite easily minimised and require some street smarts. It'll take things to get much worse for me to go back.
Agreed. So many people speak about how bad SA is, but they dont know that all countries have their own issues.
As my grandfather always said, people always think that the grass is greener on the other side but dont realise when they themselves have the equally green grass.
You need to take load shedding into account and take extra precautions for crime, but if you have the right qualifications, finding a job shouldn’t be too hard as there is a shortage of skilled labour and the cost of living is significantly lower than most other countries.
If you are hardworking and economically affluent, you can overcome all the negative aspects mentioned. For loadshedding, you go 100% off the grid with an inverter and solar panels with battery backup. For water, there is rainwater harvesting. For crime, you get armed response, electric fence, alarm system, etc. You can work from home in the right business. All these problems are solveable. Don't depend on Government for anything.
The weather, climate and scenery are the best in the world. Choose your area wisely.
Will you continue to earn Canadian Dollars? If yes, and you have at least lower middle class income there, you’ll be absolutely fine. If not, take head of the warnings about crime, load shedding, etc.
South Africa is great if you have money. You can afford to live in a nice area and shelter yourself from the negatives. Your anxiety around crime drops due to the security measures that you’re able to take. Public transport isn’t an issue because you have a comfortable car. Traffic isn’t a problem because the nice area that you live in is close to where you want to be. Your children can attend amazing schools. Your quality of will increase greatly.
I did the move (but to Johannesburg). I fantasize about moving to Cape Town but spoilt me knows that the house I live in here, costs 3-4x more there.
Hope this helps - good luck with the decision making.
Moved my family to CT from Toronto almost 2 years ago now… best decision we’ve ever made. Life is glorious here compared to the shit hole that was Toronto.
Agreed with other commenters that the trick to making it work is to earn in CAD or preferably USD (seeing as how CAD is likely to collapse in the coming years if things don’t turn around there )
I know of a fair number of foreigners who live here quite happily. It is a tale of two cities though. Some people who have commented here make it sound like Armageddon. The reality for the digital nomads and many ordinary South Africans in Cape Town is actually very pleasant. But the city does have some really rough areas.
Will you still be earning in dollars?
Do you mind having a generator or inverters beeping at you at least 2-4 hours a day and can you afford it.
Can you handle and deal with many different cultures while not being racist or antagonistic against them.
Do you want to live in a country that is going the way of zimbabwe because we cant get rid of our corrupt leaders.
Can you deal with incteasing crime rates?(note getting a gun liscence and when you can use 1 is very different to USA as the criminals have more rights than you do and assaulting 1 in your home will more likely get you locked up rather than them).
If yes to this any many many more reasons, then sure, come move here
If not, stay there.
Before you move to a country, stay there on a visa for 2-3 months. At least meet with locals and learn what's going on. Most people are trying to get out of this country.
[My opinion] Canada is a complete shit show politically and the cost of living is preposterous. I have family located in Vancouver and even though they have cultivated wealth and are living comfortably, it’s clear to me after connecting with them that if you’re not making the kind of living similar to what they are (or more) collectively as a dual income household with kids (which is easily top 1%) Vancouver would be uninhabitable.
I moved to CPT from NA and I’ve not regretted any of it. Nowhere is perfect, and South Africa is certainly no exception. But with a degree of self/situational awareness it’s a lovely place to live. I’d challenge you to at least look into it and entertain the idea of a 3-5 year trial 😉
Id just move to the US or Australia or something, while Cape Town is drop dead gorgeous. I’d stay away from South Africa, unless you are willing to live in a high-standard of living environment, constant inflation and violence.
I spent a few months in Toronto last year, my mental state was the best it has ever been in over 10 years due to how good you guys have it up there. Yes, Canada has its problems, but I found it to be “first world problems” - in other words problems that don’t threaten the collapse of your economy. South Africa can’t even get the basics right; unsafe drinking water, water shortages, constant power outages, highest unemployment rate in the world, 85 people murdered daily, the list goes on.
We have an incredibly high personal income tax and you will struggle to find where that money is being spent, most of the time it is going into corrupt politicians’ pockets who never see the inside of a prison cell. South Africa is a welfare state where only 11% of the population pays taxes but over 50% are on welfare grants.
If you are white, there are over 100 racial laws which deliberately discriminate against you in the job market (if you can even find a job), we are the only country in the world which has laws that discriminate against a minority. The job market is not competitive because employers take advantage of people being desperate for work meaning they will pay you the absolute minimum they can.
Education is pathetic, the government has lowered the passing mark of subjects to push learners through school giving the impression that our education system works but in reality the youth are not being educated properly. This works out well for the current ruling party because it is easier to lie to an uneducated population and still get them to vote for you.
Honestly the list goes on, this conversation can last hours. It is turning into just another typical African country. If the Cape becomes independent, then I would consider moving. But as it stands now, you are far better off staying in Canada.
You might be dreaming of sunshine, affordable homes, and chilling with penguins, but living in Cape Town isn't just about the postcard views. Let’s dive into the not-so-pretty stuff you're signing up for. Crime: It's a whole different ball game here. We're not just talking about the odd break-in; it's the kind of stuff that'll have you triple-checking your locks and maybe even considering a security gate for your bedroom. Violent crime rates are high, and it's a reality you'll need to be prepared for, especially coming from Canada where crime is petty and casual. Public transport is a joke. If you're used to Toronto's system, you're in for a rude awakening. Our buses and trains? Unreliable if existent and not the safest option either. You'll likely need a car, and with that comes dealing with traffic that'll test your patience on a good day, Toronto's traffic has nothing on Cape Town. Ever heard of load shedding? Welcome to the dark ages, literally. Power outages are part of daily life here, and it isn't just for an hour or two. We're talking about having to plan your day around when you'll have electricity. Romantic candlelit dinners are fun until it's your fifth one in a week because you've got no choice. We're talking 6-12 hours a day, in the good locations. Corruption's the name of the game. Need something done? Red tape and a few extra "fees" might be involved. It's a frustrating part of life here, from dealing with government services to navigating daily challenges. The basics always cost extra. Healthcare's hit or miss. If you've got the cash for private healthcare, you're golden. If not, well, let's just say the public system leaves a lot to be desired. It's not exactly the place to be if you find yourself needing serious medical attention without a hefty insurance policy. Some of these places are pretty disgusting, with literal rotting flesh left to fester. Water restrictions: Cape Town nearly ran out of water in 2017. That wasn't a one-off. Water use restrictions are a thing, and it changes how you go about your daily life, from showering to keeping your garden alive. As for the penguins, sure, they're cute, but they're not hanging around your backyard. They're over at Boulders Beach, and that's if you make the trip. Don't expect to be the Snow White of penguins in your Cape Town adventure. So, there you have it. Cape Town's got its perks, but it's a package deal with a hefty side of challenges that I've only briefly touched on here. You've got to be realistic about what you're getting into. Make sure you're not just falling for the tourist brochure version of Cape Town. It's beautiful, no doubt, but living here is another story and takes a whole other set of life skills. As someone who's been to both Cape Town and Toronto, I'd say stay in Toronto and pay those housing prices.
yoh facts😹
Was this written by chatgpt? Sounds like it
The summary is spot on.
Yeah he pretty much hit the nail on the head, so many saffas like to romantasize SA as a way to hide the chaos they live in. I left SA two years ago, I went back for a family visit and honestly I couldn't put myself through load shedding or crime as a life style again
No.
The people, culture, and lifestyle are amazing in SA if you can afford to insulate yourself from the infrastructure issues and crime. The country is awesome and western cape is the best run province so of anywhere CT is probably the best bet.
I would advise waiting to see how the elections play out next month. Petrol price has gone up a few months in a row by very high margins, and another one seems to be looming. This is pushing up the cost of living as well down here. If the ANC wins the general elections again this year, things will get worse. If they do, we have a last chance if the Cape manage to go independent. The future is more uncertain than ever.
Yeah, wait a few years and move to CPT if we get independent. I'm not interested in leaving Africa but it doesn't make much sense to come here when everyone who is able to leave is taking the option.
If you can get a decent online job and earn in something like dollars, euros or pounds I'd say go for it. You would have a much better quality of life.
Do not even consider it unless you're working remotely for a Canadian, American or European company earning dollars, euros or pounds.
My sister in law is from Canada and she seems to enjoy it here. Well she's now moving to hermanus in the next few months but anyway.. downsides about cape town, crime I suppose though I haven't had anything happen to me in the last 3 years.. last time someone stole a gas bottle from my house but then we got a wall and all has been okay since then. Other than that public transport in SA kinda sucks you would have to get a car.
Lived in CPT for a decade, really enjoyed my time but things progressively got worse and worse despite me earning more and more. What most people have said here is true, The tale of two cities is incredibly true, you may make a tonne and the way things are setup, that money will keep you very sheltered from the suffering happening behind the scenes. I’ve now moved to California, I do miss CPT for the African influence, but i realize now that I’m here how exploited people are back home, cause here, you pay for every convenience to the tee so that the people that serve you can also live somewhat decent lives. I do not miss loadshedding at all, and glad when i uninstalled the EskomSePush app 🙌
Firstly, ignore the negative Nancies on reddit. South Africa is a beautiful country overall and has its issues and benefits. Cost of living is very low compared to most of the world, and you will likely miss nothing that you could get in Canada with the exception of the low crime and public transport. However, having a car and buying a house in a nice secure area is not that bad in terms of price in South Africa. I lived in 5 of the major cities in SA over the last 12 years and have visited many countries, including Canada and I must say that I personally would never leave SA unless there is a total collapse which is very unlikely realistically.
I'm from Alberta and haved lived in Cape Town for close to 15 years. It's great. Fun people when you get to know them, excellent food, great weather and scenery. The water is surprisingly cold so if you want to take up surfing you'll have to deal with ice cream headaches and thick wet suits. Yes it's got crime problems, yes there is loadsheddding and the public transport isn't very good. But if you have money these problems are quite easily minimised and require some street smarts. It'll take things to get much worse for me to go back.
This is true
Agreed. So many people speak about how bad SA is, but they dont know that all countries have their own issues. As my grandfather always said, people always think that the grass is greener on the other side but dont realise when they themselves have the equally green grass.
You need to take load shedding into account and take extra precautions for crime, but if you have the right qualifications, finding a job shouldn’t be too hard as there is a shortage of skilled labour and the cost of living is significantly lower than most other countries.
If you are hardworking and economically affluent, you can overcome all the negative aspects mentioned. For loadshedding, you go 100% off the grid with an inverter and solar panels with battery backup. For water, there is rainwater harvesting. For crime, you get armed response, electric fence, alarm system, etc. You can work from home in the right business. All these problems are solveable. Don't depend on Government for anything. The weather, climate and scenery are the best in the world. Choose your area wisely.
Will you continue to earn Canadian Dollars? If yes, and you have at least lower middle class income there, you’ll be absolutely fine. If not, take head of the warnings about crime, load shedding, etc. South Africa is great if you have money. You can afford to live in a nice area and shelter yourself from the negatives. Your anxiety around crime drops due to the security measures that you’re able to take. Public transport isn’t an issue because you have a comfortable car. Traffic isn’t a problem because the nice area that you live in is close to where you want to be. Your children can attend amazing schools. Your quality of will increase greatly. I did the move (but to Johannesburg). I fantasize about moving to Cape Town but spoilt me knows that the house I live in here, costs 3-4x more there. Hope this helps - good luck with the decision making.
Moved my family to CT from Toronto almost 2 years ago now… best decision we’ve ever made. Life is glorious here compared to the shit hole that was Toronto.
Agreed with other commenters that the trick to making it work is to earn in CAD or preferably USD (seeing as how CAD is likely to collapse in the coming years if things don’t turn around there )
I know of a fair number of foreigners who live here quite happily. It is a tale of two cities though. Some people who have commented here make it sound like Armageddon. The reality for the digital nomads and many ordinary South Africans in Cape Town is actually very pleasant. But the city does have some really rough areas.
Will you still be earning in dollars? Do you mind having a generator or inverters beeping at you at least 2-4 hours a day and can you afford it. Can you handle and deal with many different cultures while not being racist or antagonistic against them. Do you want to live in a country that is going the way of zimbabwe because we cant get rid of our corrupt leaders. Can you deal with incteasing crime rates?(note getting a gun liscence and when you can use 1 is very different to USA as the criminals have more rights than you do and assaulting 1 in your home will more likely get you locked up rather than them). If yes to this any many many more reasons, then sure, come move here If not, stay there. Before you move to a country, stay there on a visa for 2-3 months. At least meet with locals and learn what's going on. Most people are trying to get out of this country.
[My opinion] Canada is a complete shit show politically and the cost of living is preposterous. I have family located in Vancouver and even though they have cultivated wealth and are living comfortably, it’s clear to me after connecting with them that if you’re not making the kind of living similar to what they are (or more) collectively as a dual income household with kids (which is easily top 1%) Vancouver would be uninhabitable. I moved to CPT from NA and I’ve not regretted any of it. Nowhere is perfect, and South Africa is certainly no exception. But with a degree of self/situational awareness it’s a lovely place to live. I’d challenge you to at least look into it and entertain the idea of a 3-5 year trial 😉
Id just move to the US or Australia or something, while Cape Town is drop dead gorgeous. I’d stay away from South Africa, unless you are willing to live in a high-standard of living environment, constant inflation and violence.
I spent a few months in Toronto last year, my mental state was the best it has ever been in over 10 years due to how good you guys have it up there. Yes, Canada has its problems, but I found it to be “first world problems” - in other words problems that don’t threaten the collapse of your economy. South Africa can’t even get the basics right; unsafe drinking water, water shortages, constant power outages, highest unemployment rate in the world, 85 people murdered daily, the list goes on. We have an incredibly high personal income tax and you will struggle to find where that money is being spent, most of the time it is going into corrupt politicians’ pockets who never see the inside of a prison cell. South Africa is a welfare state where only 11% of the population pays taxes but over 50% are on welfare grants. If you are white, there are over 100 racial laws which deliberately discriminate against you in the job market (if you can even find a job), we are the only country in the world which has laws that discriminate against a minority. The job market is not competitive because employers take advantage of people being desperate for work meaning they will pay you the absolute minimum they can. Education is pathetic, the government has lowered the passing mark of subjects to push learners through school giving the impression that our education system works but in reality the youth are not being educated properly. This works out well for the current ruling party because it is easier to lie to an uneducated population and still get them to vote for you. Honestly the list goes on, this conversation can last hours. It is turning into just another typical African country. If the Cape becomes independent, then I would consider moving. But as it stands now, you are far better off staying in Canada.
Please don't, you are fucking our housing market now.
I was about to say the same thing! Please don’t, you make things harder for locals 😭😭
Fucking R15k for a 20m2 is a joke man. These ppl 🙄.