Brit in the Burbs

Every year white South Africans leave in their thousands. They immigrate overseas searching for a better future for their children and to build better lives for themselves. They leave because of the high levels of unemployment, rising crime, political unrest and a government we can’t rely on. So why I am the only one swimming down stream? It’s not easy to be here either. Believe it or not you can’t just come live here without the right visa or right of abode.   There is lots of red tape and little guidance on how to navigate the system. Anyone who has ever been to Home Affairs knows just how painful any type of government admin can be. It took me 7 years of struggle to get my permanent residence. Blood sweat and tears. But it was worth it! I am from England (Essex to be precise) and my husband is from Cape Town. We both agree that we would never live in a place where we don’t have any family. Family and Friends are so important to us. So we only have the choice of the two p...

  I first came to Cape Town in 2006 to for a work conference. I had been warned by numerous people that it’s one of the most ‘dangerous cities in the world’ and I had to be ‘really careful’. My mum was freaking out about me travelling alone long haul for the first time, and I was also a bit freaked myself because I was planning an event in a city that I had never been to before for a bunch of executives I had never met! On touch down I was immediately captivated by the warm vibrant city. I remember being in the taxi from the airport zooming past all the shacks, high rise flats and cows in the road (Cape Town is a thing of beauty, but the drive from the airport to Town is really not that pretty).   When I arrived safely at my beautiful hotel in the V&A waterfront, it felt like a different world. So sunny and glamorous!   Work started and my week flew by, I barely left the hotel and didn’t get to see any of the sights. On the last evening we had a gala celebration and...

If I had a Rand for every time somebody asked me why I live in South Africa, well I wouldn't be very rich because the Rand is really weak, but I would have a lot of Rands! I am from the UK and married to a South African who I met in London. We decided to up-sticks and come have some adventures in Cape Town, 8 years later we are still here, raising two beautiful daughters and loving our life.  My blog is my hobby, a place to organise my thoughts and answer all those questions I get about why I live here, and share all the reasons why I love living in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town.  Would love to engage, chat and maybe meet some like minded ex-pats. Happy Reading!