Any advice/tips on moving from the USA (San Diego, CA) to South Africa or another nearby country?

Question

I have worked really hard to get where I am today. A few years ago I was $14,000 dollars in debt. Today I am out of debt with a stable, good paying job. I was 55 pounds heavier. I have just turned 25 and I'm in the prime of my life. I have always wanted to travel to wild, exotic places and experience new cultures and meet new people. This is my life's dream!

I'm thinking about moving to South Africa and want to know what types of outdoor sports there are-rock climbing? Hiking? Camping? What types of activities should I physically prepare myself for?

I also want to know which are the best cities for tourists (aka newbies)? I've never been out of the country (excluding Mexico) but feel this is my lifes calling.

It may also be helpful to know that I am half African-American, and half Canadian French; with an unfinished BA-may finish by the time I go; from a middle class family.

Any tips from anyone who has been to/lived in/lives in South Africa would be helpful! THANK YOU!!

Answer 1

I think you should do some reading up on South Africa before you make such a decision. Beautiful Country but more than a million Whites have fled since 1994 under the weight of anti White Communism and a low key War against them euphemistically called "crime" by the ruling junta. A woman is raped every 3 seconds in South Africa so that would be a realistic expectation you could have and with up to 80 murders every day you could probably have a good chance of being yet another victim. Here are a couple of good sites that will give you an accurate picture:

http://iluvsa.blogspot.com/

http://groups.msn.com/crimebustersofsouthafrica/homepage1.msnw

http://zahell.blogspot.com/

Answer 2

I hope that you be sure that you will have a job before going there. You can do that by calling or through internet. From there, you can choose where to move! I know somebody who rents across Paradise Valley, a 2 room apartment there cost around $700.00+. It is more expensive over the UC San Diego area in La Jolla. I have read that it is cheaper along Mira Mesa and Clairemont than Pacific Beach! San Diego is so spread out! I had been there for 2 months last year. Before going there, I bought 2 maps, however, both were incomplete. I bought a 3rd more complete but too small to be seen by the naked eye. You will be needing a magnifying lens. I had only appreciated the whole of San Diego after riding the trolley cars. There are bus stations in most trolley stations. There is a trolley card which cost lower when you buy the monthly card. Check your local stores for this. Be careful where to park your cars. I knew somebody who parked his car at Ralph's in National City and was surprised to find his car with broken windows. A bag was snatched from a couple while doing laundry! A Mexican took her bag. There is an outlet store at the last American exit at San Ysidro. Beware of going to Tijuana. Residents avoid going there!

Answer 3

I think it is naive to think you could just go to any of these countries and expect to easily obtain work. The unskilled and semi-skilled jobs justifiably go to the locals. There is huge unemployment.



You need a profession, and even if you have one, the citizens and permanent residents of the countries in question get first dibs on the jobs, and they should.



Maybe think of doing some volunteer work. There are many volunteer agencies.....you can Google search those. (You usually pay to do this kind of volunteer work, eg. work in orphanages, etc.) Use the search words volunteer africa. Or maybe finish your BA and do a term with the Peace Corps since you have dual nationality.



VSO has merged with CUSO, but in order to volunteer with them you need a profession. The work is very hard, but rewarding. I sometimes take a leave of absence from my substantive position and do volunteer consultative work in the health sector.



Bottom line, you need to finish your BA, then continue on to get a professional accreditation before you think of emigrating anywhere.



The other thing you could check out are the commonwealth countries' youth mobility programs. Here's a link to a Canadian site:



http://www.international.gc.ca/culture/education-youth/imp-en.asp

Answer 4

You can drink the water and buy water anywhere. Plenty to do outdoor sports are big , just not snowboarding.

Work can be a problem. Try land a job with a US based organization before you come

Johannesburg is difficult for travelers a small city like Pretoria is easy to get around.

Answer 5

Don't expect to find work. We do have policies that help non-white South Africans find employment however you must have been a Permanent resident in South Africa prior to 1994 if not you will be considered white when applying for a job. That will be a big disadvantage.

Answer 6

The crime in SA is out of control. My wife was held up at gun point and a gun was stuck to my 3 year old head. That is why I took my family out of SA and we now live happily and SAFELY in New Zealand.



Do some research and you will see that I am not exaggerating.



DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE....

Answer 7

all i want to say is bring your own bottled water. DO NOT DRINK there water. You can get sick. my mom's friend just went back to nigera, he's a cheif there, and we have to send hime water from USA so he wont get sick drinking that water.