Hi Zola Pola
I've lived in Cape Town most of my life and I've lived a number of years in the US, as well.
All the scary warnings one gets about living in South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town, have only relative validity.
I got similar warnings while living in the US - in NY. "Don't drive around the Bronx or the ghetto's at night."
It's the same in Cape Town: "Don't drive in the ghetto areas at night - or try not to." But the city itself is alive with people deep into the night - people who drive back home to the suburbs in the early hours of the morning.
Then, you'll see many joggers right throughout the day in many suburbs. The seaside areas get packed with strollers and joggers from about 5pm to 8pm during Spring, Summer and Autumn all along the promenade.
Campsbay beach and suburb is really cool, with people walking, cycling and driving around from early morning until after midnight. The main road is filled with restaurants and many outside tables - all across the road from the long, sandy beach. I think 'cool' may be an understatement - more like a piece of paradise.
House break-ins have been a problem for some years and you'll find most houses have alarm systems linked to automatic armed response units, and walls or fences around them, with gates.
Cars are also fitted with alarm/immobilisers and gearlocks, because there are crime syndicates/chop-shops who steal cars. Sound systems also get stolen from vehicles. So property and car insurance is pretty standard. One can also be pick-pocketed at some nightclubs/pubs and muggings also take place. I have personally never been mugged, even though I've walked most places, day and night, sober and inebriated. But I don't advise girls to do quite the same as I do.
A lot of kids walk to school every day, cycle around their neighbourhoods, visiting buddies, going to gyms and sportsfields and malls.
Then, regarding working and building a social circle: You'll meet a lot of people by going to PTA evenings at your kids' school and by attending school sporting events on Saturdays. There are a lot of different social clubs and if you're into wellness and alternative or new-age spiritual ideas, then you'll fit right in. Cape Town is incredibly cosmopolitan, very 'artsy', with a lot of people being health conscious and spiritually oriented, but not particularly religious.
Regarding working - don't worry about it until you get there. There are a lot of volunteer programs (called NGO's) and you might consider teaching English to refugees on a voluntary basis, to start off with.
There are also many English Language schools in Cape Town. Just look them up in the Yellow Pages when you get there or Google 'English Language School Cape Town'. Once you're there, you can pop in at the schools and drop off your CV with the Director of Studies, who'll also give you advice on work permit procedures. This is something you can do short-term or long-term. People come from all over the world to learn English in Cape Town, because it's so much cheaper than the UK or US and they can do so much with their weekends in Cape Town (the fourth most popular tourist destination in the world).
PS: Google - Cape Studies; EF Capetown; EC Cape Town; Kirstenbosch Gardens; Table mountain; World of Birds, Houtbay; Spier wine farm; Cape Point; game reserve, Cape Town and Cape Town Waterfront. Look at the photo's today and you'll get a much better idea of where you're going.
About maids: Most people don't have a live-in maid. The most common situation is to have one 2 to 3 times a week. I believe R100 per day plus a meal is the minimum wage. The best thing to do is to speak to next door neighbours (invite them to a house-warming party and find out whether any of their maids may need a few more days of work).
I hope you find this helpful
Cheers
Peter Atherstone
