I would offer the Expat Guide to Johannesburg. It offers information about work, visas, areas to live etc.

You should also look into expat blogs in South Africa. They are an excellent resource to understand the city and what to expect. Two expats have even completed expat interviews:
Expat-ish
Joburg Expat

You can always contact current expats in the area through the expat network.

Anyone have more specific suggestions?

 

Hi
I can provide some information to the following questions

2. What are monthly expense for 2 adults – rented accommodation 2 BHK, food and grocery, maintenance charges, transportation, health , tax, insurance, outings ?

Accomodation for a two bed apartment in cluster housing, which usually consists of around 20-30 units is around R10,000 per month. The complex will have security, fences, gates etc and you'll have a fob key or finger print access. There is sometimes a communal pool and allocated parking.
A security estate affords greater security and prices can range from R12,000 up to R55,000 per month, quite often situated around a golf course.
Does your company provide a housing allowance, check with your contract, they will ususally cover 50% towards your medical aid costs. My son broke his arm and required surgery, total cost R15,000 yet a root canal costs R6,000.
Cars are far greater in price to purchase here. An average car around 5 years old will be in excess of R100,000 Rand.
There is no public transport here other than the Gautrain, which has limited stops.
VAT on goods is 14%, Tax is dependent on your salary, up to 40%.
Eating out and entertainment is relatively much cheaper (I'm from the UK) food is about the same cost, meat is much better quality and alcohol and tobacco is very cheap.

3. How safe is the place from crime aspects?
I personally wouldn't live outside a security estate. I can drive alone and at night. Handbag on the floor under the drivers seat, non flashy vehicle (I drive a Jeep) I wear my jewrelly, but it's not expensive. The biggest piece of advice I've heard is not to argue, don't make eye contact and don't fight back. We've been here with 2 kids for 16 months and so far no issues. Avoid townships and routes nearby them at night time.

4. Can dependent work over there in Johannesburg (as my wife is MBA finance)

You'll need to check what the skills shortage is (updated in November) by visiting the government websites. At the moment it's chemical, mining and teaching science and maths. Don't come here expecting to be able to get employment. You'll need a job offer and that will dicatate the type of visa you can apply for.

5. Which area is good to live any sub urbs

I live in Centurion, relatively safer than Jo'burg, will depend on where you are working. Hubby travels to Edenvale daily. Lone Hill is a nice area as is Park view and Sandton but it will also depend if you want to commute by the Gautrain.

Hope some of this is of help to you.

Suzanne

 

If you want to read more I have a blog at chickenruby dot com it cronicles our time here starting from sept 10 re visas housing utilities good and bad things.
I don't receive any payments for my blog it's our families personal account of being an expat.

 

So sorry, i was locked out by my IP address.

We had no desire to emigrate, hubby was asked to move to South Africa to sort out some issues and we thought 'why not?' its not even a country that was on my list for holidays.

Safety here is like any where I've been...when you're on holiday or you go into a city, you take extra care. Handbag under seat, slung round neck when out, dont where flashy jewrelly when out driving or shopping.

For example this week I have visited (on my own) a township to find a facility for a charity, I drove 40 miles north to a new area to visit another facility. I've been out at night to a new place to meet friends for coffee. I've driven all round today sorting out change of address etc.

2 months after arriving here, hubby was back in europe for 2 weeks, he is away on a regular basis leaving me alone with the 2 boys, i carry on as normal, but i dont go out at night if he is away.

Dont get me wrong it has taken me over a year to settle in and to feel safe here, but it does come.

 

I think I'm going to have charging you soon for my time lol.....

1. No idea how long we are here for, hubby has worked for the company for 27 years, no fixed time length contract.

2. Your wife would need to apply for a job before coming here and get a work visa, an inter company transfer is the quickest way of getting here, but they are issued for 2 years and a 2 year visa does give bigger problems such as a loan to buy a car has to repaid within the visa length and interest on loans here is 14%
Trying to get employment when you are here is very difficult due to the BB-EEEE laws, there is lots of cash in hand payments going on here. I'm a qualified lecturer and experienced Child Welfare Officer, I can't get work, as I need to prove I am more qualified and experienced than any South African, which isn't the case. Your wife may be lucky, but assume she won't get employment.

3. Salaries are very different from the UK, For example a Primary Teachers job here pays less. Gardeners and Maids are paid R150 a day for between 6-8 hrs a day. Most jobs I've seen advertised depend on your experience and how you negioate in interview.

Seriously, keep them coming, happy to help.

Suzanne