Tips About Living in Cape Town

Hi all,

I am from just outside of Toronto, Canada and was just hired by the
Canadian goverment to work for a small organization in Cape Town. It's
pretty much volunteer work, with travel and living expenses funded by
the Canadian goverment. I'll be living there for 5 months starting at
the beginning of November and I can't wait.

The organization that I will be working for is located in Observatory.
Can anyone give me general information on this area? I'm interested
in:

a) how safe the Observatory and City Bown are?

b) how expensive it is to rent in that area (or are there other areas
that are safer or better priced that are still within close distance,
since I won't have a car)?

c) how is the public transportation (price and safety)?

I have LOTS of other questions (ex. how is the nighlife in that area,
what are other hot spots in Cape Town, which are the best beaches, how
expensive is it to travel to other parts of SA and what is the best way
to do that - plane, train, bus, etc.), but these are the questions that
I'm most interested in right now.

Any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Anthony

wrote
The organization that I will be working for is located in Observatory.
Which organization is that?

I have an office in Obs.

Can anyone give me general information on this area? I'm interested in:

a) how safe the Observatory and City Bown are?
Two totally different areas.
Observatory is relatively safe and the city bowl not bad during the day.
It night the *shadow folk* come out so stay off the streets.


b) how expensive it is to rent in that area (or are there other areas
that are safer or better priced that are still within close distance,
since I won't have a car)?

Commuting from Obs to Obs would be easier with a scooter .. quite a few
rentals available...popular choice.
Cost of renting can't help with, sorry.



c) how is the public transportation (price and safety)?
No need if you living in Obs.
To city bowl railway station is a hop, skip and a jump away and reasonably
priced.
Stay off the black mini-bus taxis.


I have LOTS of other questions (ex. how is the nighlife in that area,)
Obs night-life is OK.
Quite a variation of clubs and eateries.

what are other hot spots in Cape Town, which are the best beaches,
Open to debate.
I like Fish Hoek and Camps Bay and Llandudno.

expensive is it to travel to other parts of SA and what is the best way
to do that - plane, train, bus, etc.), but these are the questions that
I'm most interested in right now.
Which parts?
Would be better to travel by car.


Bodie ....

Thanks for the reply Bodie.

Which organization is that?

Development Action Group... not sure how big they are.

c) how is the public transportation (price and safety)?
No need if you living in Obs.
To city bowl railway station is a hop, skip and a jump away and reasonably
priced.
Stay off the black mini-bus taxis.

Really? Stay off the black taxis? I've had people recommend them to
me. Are they really that crazy drivers and unsafe? How much would a
train ticket cost or taxi cost from the city bowl to Obs?

expensive is it to travel to other parts of SA and what is the best way
to do that - plane, train, bus, etc.), but these are the questions that
I'm most interested in right now.
Which parts?
Would be better to travel by car.

Now I'll have to start asking about prices for car rentals. I'm more
so thinking about Pretoria, Durban, Geroge, Port Elizabeth, etc.

Thanks for the reply,
Anthony

wrote in message

Really? Stay off the black taxis? I've had people recommend them
to
me. Are they really that crazy drivers and unsafe?

Bodie's advice is probably good advice, at least until you are
really familiar with South African ways.

How much would a
train ticket cost or taxi cost from the city bowl to Obs?

It would depend on whether you get a monthly ticket or a daily
ticket. On a monthly the train would probably work out considerably
cheaper than taxis. And the time at which you travel will also
affect how you feel about transport. Trains are infrequent during
the day, but quite frequent in peak times.

expensive is it to travel to other parts of SA and what is the
best way
to do that - plane, train, bus, etc.), but these are the
questions that
I'm most interested in right now.
Which parts?
Would be better to travel by car.

Now I'll have to start asking about prices for car rentals. I'm
more
so thinking about Pretoria, Durban, Geroge, Port Elizabeth, etc.

There are flights. It would be better to fly and then hire a
vehicle. Bus would be the cheapest way to go, but not very
comfortable.


--
Moira de Swardt posting from Johannesburg, South Africa
Remove the dot in my address to find me at home.

"Bodie" wrote in message
...

wrote
The organization that I will be working for is located in Observatory.
Which organization is that?

I have an office in Obs.


Should read: I have a meth lab in Obs.



Can anyone give me general information on this area? I'm interested in:

a) how safe the Observatory and City Bown are?
Two totally different areas.
Observatory is relatively safe and the city bowl not bad during the day.
It night the *shadow folk* come out so stay off the streets.


Cower in my little room at home .





b) how expensive it is to rent in that area (or are there other areas
that are safer or better priced that are still within close distance,
since I won't have a car)?

Commuting from Obs to Obs would be easier with a scooter .. quite a few
rentals available...popular choice.


ie: Cant afford a car.



Cost of renting can't help with, sorry.


Only if you "rent" out.





c) how is the public transportation (price and safety)?
No need if you living in Obs.


Gets a lift with his mom.


To city bowl railway station is a hop, skip and a jump away and reasonably
priced.
Stay off the black mini-bus taxis.


Scares the **** out of him.




I have LOTS of other questions (ex. how is the nighlife in that area,)
Obs night-life is OK.


If you like "Cruzing".




Quite a variation of clubs and eateries.


I bet you do.



what are other hot spots in Cape Town, which are the best beaches,
Open to debate.
I like Fish Hoek and Camps Bay and Llandudno.


Nice safe places to "Cruze".



expensive is it to travel to other parts of SA and what is the best way
to do that - plane, train, bus, etc.), but these are the questions that
I'm most interested in right now.
Which parts?


No, he is not talking about that , you freak.



Would be better to travel by car.

Especially when you are trolling.

Hear this: According to statistics released two days ago, crime is on the
decrease in SA; only18 793 (that's right - eighteenthousand sevenhundred and
ninetythree) MURDERS between April 2005 and March this year. "Only" 54 926
reported RAPES! Still want to come here???