Hello Londonguy,
I was boarn in SA and still live here. Yes it is a BEAUTIFUL country and I will always love it dearly BUT you need a MUCH higher than average income to live happily and safely in this country. You have to have private medical aid (around R4000 per family of four per month), Private schooling (around R2500 per month for Grade 1) private security (cost varies depending on your location. REnting a decent house will be anything from R8000 - R20 000 pm.
It is NOT cheap to live here, and unless you can run your own successful business, then you might stuggle as most good paying jobs are given to black people, and dont even try to apply if you are any other race.
My husband and I are considering leaving this beautiful country, solely for the sake of our children. As things are progressing there is less and less of a future here for non-black people.
The crime is scary in most cities, we live on a farm in Mpumalanga (near the Kruger Park) and the crime is not bad, but when it does happen it is brutal, almost always involviing a murder and/or rape.
I really love South Africa, and I am EXTREAMLY heartsore to have to leave, but as a parent I have to consider what future there is for my children here.
Regrads,
Elana