What’s it like living in Joburg with young kids?
J.R. Wu lives in Beijing with her family. She wants to move to Joburg but first wants to hear from you how safe it is to live here.
This is picture of me and my daughter Molly on a holiday in Singapore late last year. Call it an action shot…
Hi, I’m a new Mum in the sense that I’ve not yet had to consider my family when it comes to moving for my job. I’m wondering about making a move to Johannesburg. I’m a working Mum with two little ones – age 2 and 3. My hubby is the stay at home parent. We are originally from the US and UK, but currently live and work in Beijing, China.
The last time I mulled a move for my job, I was a footloose and fancy-free singleton. I only had to consider me. Any next move won’t be like that. We’ve lived in Beijing now for about six years and I’ve never been to South Africa – or Africa the continent for that matter – but it is one of those places I’d really like to see (my husband feels the same way). But the main worry for us is the security issue that Joburg is so infamous for.
I’ve browsed the Internet looking for anything that gives some idea that security is not an issue, or that it is less of an issue, than Joburg’s reputation suggests. But I’m not feeling convinced when I have colleagues and friends tell me it is possible to create a life in Joburg ‘not directly touched by crime’ or they say that it’d be better if I could relocate to Cape Town if I had a choice or I read up on Joburg living and find advice that one should drive with windows up and car doors locked all the time and not stop for red lights when driving at night due to high chance of carjackings.
Living in China, and our times traveling around Asia, kind of spoils you to the ease in which it’s so easy to go out with tiny tots. Wait staff coo over them and even take them off your hands so that you don’t have to worry overly much if they run out of your line of sight for an appetizer or dessert course at a restaurant or the option to walk about for a nightly stroll with the kids to pick up yogurt at the nearest shop; and then there is the great nanny helper – Ayi – that is a constant in many families, local and expat, in Beijing and Shanghai.
I guess I’m looking for some peace of mind – or rather rational advice – anyone can offer on this front? I know that generalizations don’t make for the most accurate picture of any place in the world. Jozikids’ Web site looks like something we’d find in Beijing – a city that I would totally recommend to another expat family if asked – so I was wondering if anyone might give me their insights about what living in Joburg is like with a young familly in tow.
Best, J.R. Wu
I’ve lived in Joburg all my life. I now have two little one’s (22 months & 4) and if you are used to a very carefree & safe enviroment, this might not be the place for you. Don’t get me wrong – I love South Africa, and don’t want to come across as negative, but crime is a reality.
House alarms, electric fencing on your walls, burgular bars throughout your house and subscribing to armed response services is quite “normal” here.
Think carefully before you make the move. Good luck!
thanks for this. v useful!
Hi
I have just relocated here from the UK with two small children and would rather not write my comments down here but am more then happy for you to get in touch with me. I am writing from an ex-pat point of view – we have lived in many countries overseas including China. Please contact my email if you want me to write to you direct – not sure if you recieve emails through this blog. Thanks Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Not sure if J. R. Wu has responded to you but her email is wujr20@hotmail.com
Thanks for participating in the growing Jozikids community.
Regards
Merle
hi. what’s ur email? i’m at wujr20@hotmail.com
I’m South African and have one daughter and four dogs and we love living in Johannesburg. Maybe we’re so used to taking security measures like high perimetre walls, electronic gates, alarm system for home and anti-carjacking system in your car for granted. But once you get over needing those things, you can have a good quality of life. I live in an old surburb where there’s lots of old people and young families, and we all go to work, drop kids of at school or nursery school, walk our dogs ( or go for walks/run, period), go to the park, wave hello to our neighbours, meet for dinner in the more commercial portiion of the suburb or have a pool braai on a hot summer day….normal things really. But I’ve also lived in areas of Joburg where all the walls and security measures became prisons because people around us were fearful of crime and their whole lives were geared towards “what if.” And yes, my house was broken into before, and most of my furniture, even crockery and cutlery were stolen. So crime does happen, though I wouldn’t be able to compare with other cities etc.
this is exactly the kind of stuff i need to hear. thanks a lot!
Hi J.R.
I have lived in JHB for 12 years and have 2 young children. I live in the fourways area and am a stay at home mom. I find that if you get your children into the right school when you get here not only will you be welcomed with love and open arms but you will make frineds you will never forget. We have many things that can be done during the day with your children and many safe places to take them for entertainment.
Crime is a HUGE problem in our country, But we have found ways to combat it. I ahve lived in the same house for 10 years and have never had any breakins in my home and have never been in a bad situation. Unfortunately many parents have and we can only hope that it does not touch us in that way. I find that in all areas of the world there is crime, but we live with and try our best not to be held to ransom by it.
While there is a crime problem in our country, nothing beats it for it’s beauty and freedom.
So if you do decide on a yes, mail me and we can get together and maybe I can help iron out some teething problems for you.
Wendy
wendy_mobile@hotmail.com
Hi J.R.
Your daughter is beautiful. This may be one of the toughest decisions you ever have to make and i wish you luck.
I love living in JHB, we have so much to do here and our children get to grow up in beauty. Yes we have crime but you work around it. We do not let it control our lives. Our schools are great, and i can speak specifically for the ones in my area. you become a part of their family and make friends you never forget.
Would love to get to know you if you move here.
Wendy
wendy_mobile@hotmail.com
wendy,
thanks so much for ur lovely words. i will be in touch should we make it out there.
best, jr
I ‘m originally from Durban but until last July I had been living in London for 10years. I moved to Joburg (Northern Suburbs) with my Scottish husband and two daughters (4yr & 16mths). I have found living in Joburg not as bad as everyone made out. As long as you do what you feel you need to do to feel secure then you can live a fabulous life here. SA is very geared towards children (compared to UK) so we can go for a meal and our children can play in a safe fun environment whilst we enjoy our meal. There are lots of activities for children to be apart of and the biggest thing i’ve noticed is how friendly everyone is. I didnt know anyone my own age here but have made good friends. Its a multicultural city but the work ethic here is very different to China, everything is done in ‘Africa Time’, but you take the good with the bad. Its a beautiful country that many people do not appreciate. I had more criminally bad things happen to me in my 10yrs in London than I did in 20yrs in SA. You won’t know if you don’t try! I’d also be happy for you to contact me directly if you wanted to.
hi jane,
how do i contact u? my email is on this message string.
best, jr
Hi J.R
Very important concerns you’ve expressed here, and yes, it is a major consideration to make moving to another country, particularly when you’ve never experienced the ‘cultural’ aspects of the country in question. Johannesburg, despite all of its ‘hang ups’, is a very vibrant, ‘up-to-date’, world class city, with the ‘shortcomings’, of course, of all major metropoli. The interesting thing about Johannesburg is that there’s a culture of interaction, of exploration, or wanting to know more, and experience better, in the general populace of the city. I say these things knowing, from an artists point of view, the kind of creative environment that Johannesburg is, spawning (day by day) wonderful environments where families can enjoy some of the unexpectedly quaint and beautiful aspects of this interesting African city. so to perhaps endear you to think positively about the prospects of making a family life here, i’d suggest you continue browsing some of the more Positive-Johannesburg-inclined blogs, like this one Jozikids, and also http://www.theunexpected.co.za (this is the Economist’s new blog for Johannesburg, featuring some of Jo’burgs celebrated personalities, exploring, discovering and expressing their opinions on the most ‘unexpected’ delights & sights of Jo’burg – all too often derided & made ‘sullen’ in influential reportage sources) On that site, take a close look at articles by Simon Gear’s article “Bambanani” about a delightful eatery environment suitable for kids to play at, etc., amongst other’s on the site (www.theunexpected.co.za)…
Everyone here has given you solid advice on what to ‘expect’ and what their personal experiences, both as citizens and expats, of Johannesburg have been/are. I’d just like to give a resounding YES to you, come to Jo’burg with your family, try it out, it’s a city in transition, at the most exciting level of prospect, a city who is finding the spirit of community, the African spirit of UBUNTU, and evolving in that understanding/awakening, it’s citizens/denizens realizing that to eradicate any and all ills it ‘suffers, it needs its citizens to come together (as they are generally) & act in community, as a family. That’s the kind of city that I live in. Despite all other valid and real concerns. Take care, and may your family be blessed!
Lungisile
definitely will look these up!