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marthalee Feb 08 2010 06:59 AM
Joberg with 3 young kids - considering expat assignment
My husband is considering an expat assignment in Joberg for 3 to 5 years.  In 2000 before we were married he worked and lived in Sandton for a 9 months, so he has some idea what it is like, but that was before we had kids.  We have a 5 yr, 3 yr (with asthma) and 1 year old.  My husband will be traveling a lot and I will be on my own with the kids.  Will it be safe for us?  Is it easy to meet people and get involved in the community?  Are there other members of the club with young kids?  A few or a lot?  In what area of the city do they live?  Are there other web resources that would help give me a idea of what life would be like for us?
 
Would anyone recommend we take this assignment or should we wait a few years until the kids get older?  Can anyone tell me how it would compare to living in a big US city like Atlanta, DC or Chicago?  Any insight would be helpful. 
 
Thank you.
xpatgirl Feb 11 2010 12:26 PM
A lot of Americans live in Dainfern in a gated community which is near the International School. There's also an American Society in Johannesburg - americansocietyofsa.co.za - which has a lot of social events. there are great gyms and lots of different classes for adults and kids. On another thread in the Joburg forum, there is something on living in a gated community and the pros and cons. Lots of expats live here with young kids. It's very different from big US cities, although it looks a lot the same it works a lot differently and you have to be willing to live within constraints of security concerns and be willing to accept that a lot of things don't go very smoothly. But I have a six year old and I don't live in a gated community - we go to the park, walk to the local shops - and we love it.

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