Expert Info
on 28 Mar 2014
Hi I am an Aussie Am able to obtain a visa for 4yrs and extend it if desired. My questions are as from what read when over there and now back in Perth is that if I come in on retirement visa its 4yrs so am asking what would cost of living be include Per month: Talking about reasonable living standards Rent Electric/power Fuel insurance and so on Also have stayed in Milnerton proper mostly and that area seems reasonable. Now like Big Bay area, cost seems lot more As a Builder in Australia plan to by and renovate a house to fill in my spare time and also doing this helps to meet others. Is it worth renovating? What do most think about Milnerton Proper? Other areas that I should look at?
What places should go to meet others, capetownies and expats One thing last time was over there most speak English (whites) but unlike here they start talking Afrikaans as if to leave you out of conversation. Am I expected to learn Afrikaans? In Australia we find it rude to talk to say Italian to leave others out. There is lots I still havent seen although I have been there a few timeS and lived with a family in Cape town and due to what just mentioned I had a disagreement :-(
This all means selling a lot here to move and plan to buy when arrive Also before I buy a house would have to rent. What would this cost? and where should I rent, should I share rent with a couple others ? Thank you in advance for your input
What places should go to meet others, capetownies and expats One thing last time was over there most speak English (whites) but unlike here they start talking Afrikaans as if to leave you out of conversation. Am I expected to learn Afrikaans? In Australia we find it rude to talk to say Italian to leave others out. There is lots I still havent seen although I have been there a few timeS and lived with a family in Cape town and due to what just mentioned I had a disagreement :-(
This all means selling a lot here to move and plan to buy when arrive Also before I buy a house would have to rent. What would this cost? and where should I rent, should I share rent with a couple others ? Thank you in advance for your input
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I am a British expat and I have been living in Cape Town for almost 4 years now.
In regards to expenses I would suggest you use the Cost of Living in Cape Town page as a guide. The price of rent will depend on where you want to stay. You will of course reduce the cost if you decide to share a property - a room in a property will cost between R3000-R7000 per month depending on your requirements.Take a look at gumtree for up-to-date information.
Milnerton is a nice area, it is not to far from Cape Town CBD and has been made more accessible thanks to the new Miciti bus route. Big Bay is also a really nice area, but quite far away from the city-centre. I suggest using websites like Property 24 and Private property to check out the cost of plots and houses in those areas.
With regards to your question on whether expats need to speak Afrikaans, I don't think it is necessary in order to get a long on a day to day basis, as most people speak English. South Africa is made up of lots of different population, and you'll find there are even lots of locals who don't speak Afrikaans. However, I don't think it can do any harm to learn a few phrases of any of the local languages - I think people will appreciate that you made the effort.
Please let me know if you have more questions.
Shantalie