Pros and Cons of Moving to Cape Town
Every city has its good side and bad side, but Cape Town undoubtedly has more going for it than most. From the mouths of expats themselves here is a snapshot of the pros and cons of living in Cape Town:
Pros:
- Home and work can be in close proximity, so reduced commuting time
- Great weather: long summers, mild winters, lots of sunshine
- Relaxed and balanced lifestyle
- Excellent infrastructure, from roads to banks to telecommunications
- Business friendly and plenty of opportunity
- Good value for money (except for property)
- Large expat community
- Lots of natural beauty
- Beach and mountain five minutes away
- Good wine – cheap too
- Friendly and welcoming locals
- Same time-zone as Europe
- Excellent private healthcare
- Top-class government schools
- Great nightlife and gay scene
- Domestic help very affordable
Cons:
- High crime rate relative to first world cities
- Wind blows throughout summer
- Year-round cold sea
- Affirmative action policies can limit employment practices
- Cumbersome bureaucracy
- Inefficient government departments
- Very limited public transport
- Salaries lower than Johannesburg
- Property prices are high
